Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats

I loved the story and how it incorporated the ABC's as well as couting. I would have like to have seen better illustrations.

First off, my only complaint is that for some reason the illustrations irritate my children and me. My daughter wants to know why the cat is all "cut up" referring to the scratchy and squiggly lines of some of the felines.The story, however, is well crafted and incorporates the alphabet and counting within a sweet tale.Especially popular with animal lovers.

Mrs McTats lived alone with her cat, Abner and "Every morning she left/as the clock struck eight/To market, to market!/I mustn't be late." One morning, just as she was about to leave there was a scratch at the door and in walked two cats. Mrs McTats decides she has room in her house and her heart for these two strays and names them Basil and Curly. The next morning, three more cats arrive, Dolly, Ernest and Fuzzy (that makes 6). The next day four more are waiting at the door, and so on until finally Violet, Winnie, Xinnie and Yodel are adopted and join the family (that makes 25). Mrs McTats feels something or someone is still missing, so readers won't be surprised when the next morning there's another scratch at the door. But this time it's a puppy and she names him Zoom..... Alyssa Capucilli has written a creative and inventive picture book that combines the alphabet with counting and addition all rolled into a charming and engaging story. Her joyous, rhyming text is beautifully complemented by Joan Rankin's detailed, amusing illustrations that get busier and funnier with each page turn and youngsters will love all the facial expressions and different personalities of each new addition to the house. Perfect for little ones 3-7, Mrs Mctats And Her Houseful Of Cats is a winner and a book kids will beg to read again and again.

Thisis the cleverest counting and alphabet book I have encountered in a long time. In fact, at first reading, it's so clever and subtle that you might not even realise it's an alphabet book. Plus it's just chockful of cats. Big cats, little cats, grumpy cats, fat cats, thin cats, cute cats. They're all in there. Plus the odd rather brave bird sitting within reach of a cat! If your child has a cat or even just likes cats, this will be a lovely book to share!