The Grannyman

The Grannyman, by Judith Byron Schachner is one of the better children's cat books out there. I was absolutely delighted and I must admit a bit surprised when I read this one. Schachner is the author of the Skippyjon Jones books, which are on my favorites list and I am not sure how she was able to transition from cat stories about a little kitten who is a complete mess, to one about a lovely old cat like Grannyman. First, I must admit to being able to relate to both the characters of Skippyjon and to Grannyman. When I was a kid, I could well have been a prototype for Skippyjon and now that I am old, I fit the profile of Grannyman pretty well. Anyway, this is the story of a very old Siamese cat by the name of Simon. He is blind, deaf and his bones ache and creak. Simon has lived a long life with a very loving family and now spends most of his time in his calico chair looking out into space and dreaming of his life since he was a kitten. The book reviews this old cat's life from the time he was a kitten to the resent. Delightful pictures and wonderful text tell his story. Then, feeling absolutely useless in his dotage, one Tuesday night, Simon sticks his bony old legs in the air and breaths his last....or so he thinks! Suddenly, plunk, his loving human family drop a new kitten right on Simon's belly. Simon suddenly has a new life. This new little member of the family becomes Simon's charge and Simon his teacher. This is absolutely wonderful. While this is the story of an old cat, living in a loving home, it is actually the story of all of us, or how all of us should be anyway, as we grow older. What an excellent way to teach children of the aging process in a very gentle and happy way. It is also an excellent way to teach those of us well in to our dotage that life is not over until it is over. Splendid and lively art work is found in this work and while not as wild as that found in Skippyjon books, it is quite appropriate for this particular story. The text is very well done. I, like another reviewer was hesitant at first about reading this one as I felt it was going to have a sad ending and I avoid books like that at all cost. I was very well pleased and I need not have feared. This work is a must for cat lovers of all ages in particular, animal lovers in general, and all good hearted people. Most importantly though, the kids all seem to love it. I should also not that this author wrote I know n Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie which is a wonderful work also.

Having two older cats, I can appreciate this book and why it was written. Yes, I did get choked up while reading this book to my six year old son. It is an emotional book, sweet and loving. We had checked it out form the library, and now I am purchasing the book because we keep renewing it. My son cannot bear the thought of parting with this book. It touches something in him. I really recommend this book to anyone with a cat in their home.

I was rather hesitant to read this book because I just knew it would be sad, but it really isn't. It's very sweet and the pictures are beautiful. After reading this book I feel as though I know Simon and his kitten!

Anyone who has ever loved an aging cat will get a little misty-eyed over this story of Simon, a blind, deaf and toothless old Siamese. His family takes good care of Simon, feeding him baby food, providing places for him to warm his achy old bones and letting him sleep in bed with them, despite his stinky cat breath.But despite this loving treatment, Simon is tired of living. After spending a night shuffling through old memories of his kittenhood, he sticks his legs in the air and breaths his last.Or so he thinks. At that moment, his family plops a kitten on his stomach and the old trouper discovers a new purpose in life--to become the kitten's "Grannyman."Schachner's story is poignant and her illustrations, done in textured charcoal with watercolors, are expressive and show the artist's deep love for cats. Her Simon is at once both pitiable and noble. The Grannyman is highly recommended for cat lovers and sentimentalists alike.

This is a charming, loving story about an aging cat and the family who loves him. The text is enhanced by beautiful,flowing watercolor illustrations that are full of humor and capture a cat's spirit. It will warm your heart!