Toes

Toes is a GREAT book!!!! I LOVED IT!!!! AND I WANT TO KEEP IT!!!! AND IF I WANT TO KEEP IT IT MUST BE GREAT BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE TO READ!!!!

I came close to skipping this book because of some of the reviews, which warned me that the book might be upsetting to an overly sentimental cat mommy like myself. But the beautiful friendship between Toes and his dad made all the sadness of reading about Toes' early life worthwhile. It reminded me of my relationship with my cat. (Like Toes, he is a music lover who enjoys getting close when I practice my singing.) Toes and Minerva are the enraptured audience of a lonely, self-critical classical violinist, and Toes' brave action in disregard of his own advancing age bring a wonderful change to his dad's life. Toes and Minerva themselves develop a caring, touching friendship, despite the natural enmity between their species. The theme of the aging and loss of a cherished animal companion, although it will sadden a loving cat mom (or dad), was handled sensitively and caringly.

Tor Seidler writes another touching and realistic book about the relationship between human and animal.Toes shows more humanity than many humans in the way he cares for his frustrated "new" owner, the classical violinist. A must read for 5th grade and up. Well done!

I have to respond to the "Reader in Vancouver" who slammed this book. My daughters, who are 8 and 6 (and advanced readers, as well as cat lovers) loved this book, and so did I. No, Toes's abilities are not realistic, yet neither is the book a magical fantasy. It's more the sort of story one would make up about a beloved cat. I cried at the end, when Toes is dying, but it's important for children to learn that death is an inevitable part of life. Toes's death is sad, but his life and what he does for his friend, the musician, mean that his memory will live on. I would especially recommend this book for families where a beloved pet (or family member, for that matter) is growing old. Its lesson might help provide comfort when a child has to deal with grief.

A litter of cats is born into the McDonahue family. One kitten is shunned by the rest of the litter and becomes a favorite of the family due to his physical appearance and intelligence. The unusual kitten is named Toes because he has seven toes on each foot instead of five. The family soon realizes that Toes is not an ordinary cat. He loves listening to classical music, watching sports on TV, and riding in the car. His brothers and sisters are jealous of the attention that Toes receives from the family. They tease him and exclude him from all of their activities.Toes is tired of being shunned by his siblings and decides to leave the McDonahue house. He sets out on an adventure one evening and takes refuge from the rain in the basement of a run-down house. A struggling musician named Sebastian soon befriends the extraordinary cat. When Toes learns of Sebastian's musical ambitions, he devises a plan to help him.The lovable feline in TOES will steal the hearts of children, and the heartwarming ending will touch all readers, both young and old. --- (...)