Papa Gatto

Fairy tale connoisseurs will love this retelling of aclassicItalian fairy tale, little known in [the United States], butdeserving of a place on the bookshelf with Cinderella, Rapunzel and Hansel and Gretl.The story is set back in the days when animals could talk. Papa Gatto, a recently widowed high-ranking feline official in the prince's court, has need of a helper to care for his kittens. He places an ad with the town crier, "you choose your payment, no amount too great."This lucrative offer draws the attention of a widow with a daughter--lazy, cold-hearted but beautiful Sophia--and a stepdaughter--kind and hardworking Beatrice. The stepmother, sensing easy money, pushes Sophia to accept the position, though she is ill-suited for the work... The whole story is set in a sun-drenched Tuscan village. Papa Gatto is a wonderful combination of story and illustration.

This is a charming book with wonderful illustrations. An Italian fairy tale that is not often told in this country, this is a fresh story that most children have not heard. The sumptuous illustrations bring the cats to life - the reader can really believe the cats are almost human. And the triumph of patience and kindness over selfishness gives children a positive behavior model. This is a book that will appeal to every imaginative child - not only cat lovers!