Cat & Mouse

This beautifully drawn book is an absolute delight to read to a child. Sure it's a rehash of old nursery rhymes and poems, but it really makes them come alive. My 2 year old loves it when I read it to him, especially because there are so many action words that you can act out to make it more fun, like climbing up a clock and falling down a clock for hickory dickory dock, to pinching his ear and purring for the little kitty poem, etc. The book is as fun to read as you make it, and there's a lot do with it. Plus the illustrations are rich and colorful, with lots of details. My son loves flipping through the pages and studying each picture. Definitely a family favorite!

So many books that we pick up based on the endearing illustrations ruin it all once the words/story come into play. This is a rare exception. The illustrations are certainly amazing. Lovers of cats will immediately identify with the expressions Cat takes as he and Mouse chase one another about to the familiar rhythms and rhymes of a mix of well-loved nursery tales. Mouse is a dear little thing, too. In the first half of the book carrying a paper parasol like one you might find in a tropical drink, which then gets passed to Cat who guards it, tosses it, and frolicks with it. By the end, you feel that you've been privy to a secret little play between unlikely friends. I don't think this could have been more perfectly arranged, nor set to more perfect words. It all fits together so well. The result is a book that any young child will find great joy in (parents too). I imagine if I were a child these sweet illustrations would easily conjure nostalgic feelings in the years to come.

Another wonderful book from Ian S. His paintings just keep getting better and better. And he hand drew all the type, too, which looks extra cool running across the pages. My young son loved this book--it's smart, funny, and cute (just like my son, actually).