Where is Tippy Toes?

1. Bibliography

Lewin, Betsy. 2010. Where is Tippy Toes?. Ill. By Betsy Lewin. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. ISBN: 978-1-4169-3808-8

2. Plot Summary

In this book the main character Tippy Toes is a cat that spends his days doing a variety of activities. Everyone knows what Tippy Toes does during the day, but what does he do at night? That is something that is answered by one person and is revealed at the end of the book when Tippy Toes crawls in bed with his owner.

3. Critical Analysis

This book is colorfully illustrated by Betsy Lewin and the words flow together in a rhyming sequence that details the daily activities of Tippy Toes. As you read through this book the narrator shows you where Tippy Toes goes throughout the day from sun up to his afternoon nap in a dresser drawer. Every other page is dicut and when flipped reveals where Tippy Toes is.  At the end of the book you see the narrator lying in his bed and as you turn the half page to “pull down the covers”, you see where Tippy Toes goes for his nightly rest. There is a sense of adventure as you flip through and discover all the wonderful places that Tippy Toes goes during the day and the fun playful illustrations only enhance the light hearted feel of this story.

4. Review Excerpts

“Told with simple rhymes and mischievous illustrations by award-winning creator Betsy Lewin, this is a book to curl up with and enjoy” Good Reads.com

“A cute kitty, a resonant text, and some entertaining peekaboo reveals--what more could a toddler want?” the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Sept. 2010

5. Connections

This is a fun playful book that is great for anyone looking for a sense of adventure. Another book like this is The Cat in The Hat.

Seuss, Dr. 1957. The Cat in The Hat. New York: Random House Inc.

ISBN:  978-0545014571

Millions of Cats

1. Bibliography

Gag, Wanda. 1928. Milllions of Cats. Ill. by Wanda Gag. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam.

 ISBN 0-698-11363

2. Plot Summary

In this cute little story of an old man and woman the old man ventures out in search of a cat to take home to his wife. When he discovers what he’s looking for he actually find “Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats.” With so many to choose from, the old man cannot decide upon one single cat to take home. The old man invites all the cats to come with him on his journey home and when he reaches his destination his wife is overwhelmed by the number of cats and decides that they cannot possibly take care of all the cats. The husband and wife decide to let the cats decide which one of them is the most beautiful, but this only causes the cats to argue and fight amongst themselves. When all of the fighting is done there is only one homely little kitten left. The couple takes the cat in and loves and cares for it until it becomes beautiful.

3. Critical Analysis

Wanda Gag created this story over 80 years ago and it is still enjoyed today. The illustrations are black and white depictions that span across the pages and have great details for showing the country side along the old man’s journey as well as the different features of all the cats.

The story is fun to follow along and read aloud as it has a repetitive sequence of words that flow well together when talking about the enormous amount of cats that the old man encounters. At the end of the story when all the other cats have gobbled each other up and the one lone kitten is found there is a moment of surprise for the reader. Even though the last cat is not the most beautiful the love and care of the old couple helps change the cat into becoming the most beautiful cat the old couple has seen. This metamorphoses for the cat is a reminder that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the more you love and cherish something, the more beautiful it becomes.

4. Review Excerpts

Newbery Honor 1929

Wanda Gag posthumous recieved the 1958 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Millions of Catsand the 1977 Kerlan Award for the body of her work.

A classic, that could make anyone a cat lover. – Pat Vasilik

5. Connections

* A book about becoming beautiful and seeing the beauty within. Pinky and Rex and the Just-Right Pet is a similar story where the young character is wanting the right pet.

Howe, James.2001. Pinky and Rex and the Just-Right Pet. Ill by Melissa Sweet. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.  ISBN: 978-0689839429

*Other books by Wanda Gag

Gag, Wanda. 1931. Snippy and Snappy. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.  ISBN: 978-0816642458

A Ball for Daisy

1. Bibliography

Rashka, Chris. 2011. A BALL FOR DAISY. Ill. By Chris Rashka. New York: Scwartz and Wade Books.

ISBN 978-0-375-85861-1

2. Plot Summary

In this book Chris Rashka beautifully illustrates the relationship and journey of a dog named Daisy and her ball. The story is told solely with colorful illustrations that are detailed and expressive of the feelings that Daisy feels as the story progresses. There are other characters that Daisy interacts with, but the main focus of this story is the love and relationship between Daisy and her ball.

3. Critical Analysis

The story of Daisy and her ball is easy to follow as you turn the pages. Chris Rashaka does a superb job showing the progression of time in the illustrations with movement and emotion. Daisy spends time with her ball from playing to napping and even a visit to the park. Through the story you realize that the ball is a main character along with Daisy and when the story takes a surprising turn of events there is an emotional loss that can be felt through the pages. There is also a nice moral lesson tucked in near the end when a secondary character helps repair the loss that Daisy feels because her dog caused it.

4. Review Excerpts

2012 Caldecott Medalist

New York Times Bestseller

New York Times Best Illustrated Book

“A tender and beautiful wordless picture book” Junior Library Guild

5. Connections

* A great book for anyone that has ever lost something and wanted it back. A similar book to this is I Want My Hat Back.

Klassen, Jon. 2011. I Want My Hat Back. Ill. By Jon Klassen. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 978-0763655983