Puss in Boots

I remember hearing this story as young as six. My grandmother's cat disagrees with the story in that cats do not like to wear clothes. I however now have my very own copy of the story on the bookshelf. It's beautifully told and I read it ever so often. The illustrations are wonderful. It's definitely a good choice for younger children at reading time and/or bedtime. It's short, the pictures help explain a lot of what's going on, and the book is large. That last part may sound strange, but have you ever tried 'Reading Circle' with a small book... With 20 children on the floor all wanting to see the pictures and my need to keep their attention... The book is definitely a keeper. Even if not for them, for my own childhood memories of the story.

"Puss in Boots" has endured as a classic children's book because the story is excellent. The graphics are intricate, crisp, and clear. I read "Puss in Boots" at a Read Across America event to 50 second-graders. Most, if not all, of them had never heard of "Puss in Boots". There was shock and outcry when the Ogre shrank himself to the size of a mouse and then was eaten by Puss. They wanted to know why!!! The Ogre was a victim of his own ego - a show off. And Puss was ruthless. The childrens' imaginations and reasoning were stretched and the story gave them a lot to think about. I highly recommend "Puss in Boots".

Marcuse's translations are always excellent, and this one is no exception. It is not flawless, but it is excellent nonetheless. I have read this translation several times, checking it against the text from which it was translated. There were no grammatical errors to be corrected. I chose to word some sentences differently, to suit my regional native Spanish, but speaking as a professional translator, this translation is well crafted.I would have to disagree with the Horn Book review. This translation is well executed. While the reviewers may be experts in children's literature they seem to be lacking a grasp of the Spanish language, even at a children's level. In either language this edition of El gato con botas is well deserving of the Caldecott Honor Book award.

I regularly visit school classrooms and read aloud to children from Kindergarten through eighth grade. Finding books that appeal to more than one grade level is a challenge.I have found that the pictures in this version of 'Puss' appeal immensely to kindergartners through third graders. (Fourth and Fifth grade children also like it, but are often embarassed to say so in a classroom setting!). Children who often have a hard time sitting still for a story have sat transfixed as I read this book, holding the pictures in front of them all the time and giving them lots of opportunities to check out the wonderful use of light and color. The illustrator uses a lot of wonderful yellow that is very appealing to young children and seems to draw them into the book. I love reading this book out loud both to see children's reaction and also because I love the detail and color in the pictures.Reading this book aloud has also sparked some beautiful art work from young children.

Puss in Boots is a wonderful story. This book is so beautiful that is like a precious work of art. A great read aloud with exceptional illustrations. Children and adults adore it. Presenting this tale to children takes great thought though. Try to avoid the dishonesty, terrorism, and thievery and focus on resourcefulness, first impressions, and survival. Fred Marcellino is one of the top illustrators of our time. Wish he had a website!