How the Cat Swallowed Thunder

by Lloyd Alexander, Judy Schachner (Illustrator)

When Mother Holly leaves to do errands, she warns Cat to behave himself. But faster than a cat can pounce, he is up to his whiskers in trouble! One crazy mishap leads to another, until the little cottage is in a very messy state. Cat is busily tidying up when he hears Mother Holly coming up the path. He spies a tiny piece of corn on the floor and quickly swallows it. But it's no ordinary corn, and suddenly Cat notices that he is making a very curious rumbling sound. . . .

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Cats, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2000

About the author

Lloyd Chudley Alexander was an influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books. His most famous contribution to the field of children's literature is the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. The concluding book of the series, The High King , was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1969. Alexander's other books have also won the National Book Award and the American Book Award. He was also one of the creators of Cricket Magazine.

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and magical story - we loved the trouble the cat got into and yet all ended well. We love cats, so we were excited to read a folktale about how a cat gets his purr. I liked the subtle Russian theme and the illustrations were wonderful. The narrative was a bit long and might not keep the attention of younger children. But we really enjoyed reading this story together.

[Kary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute fantasy story for youngers.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story of a rascal cat.

[Friend of Pixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

How we love Lloyd Alexander. Do you know that Alexander looked very
much like an elf? Any picture of him in profile makes me imagine him with large, gracefully pointed elf ears sticking out of his wavy hair. Anyway, he loved cats and here is another of his cat books, a charming funny tale in the tradition of Kipling's "Just So" stories that tells us why cats purr. The illustrations by Schachner, who wrote & illustrated the lovely "Grannyman," really make this book. We spent a lot of time looking for hidden things in each picture and Logan declared he wished he could reach in and take the cool cat andirons (although where we'd put them without a fireplace, I don't know). Watch for the portrait of Alexander! I plan to buy this one to add to Logan's growing collection of quality cat-related books.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is also a humorous picture book starring Alexander's favorite animal. It is a mix of original "pourquoi" tale and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." In this story, Mother Holly (a sort of female God) tasks her cat with some chores while she is away. The cat gets into the same sort of trouble that the sorcerer's apprentice did and has to try and clear up his mess. The pourquoi part is how cats acquired their ability to purr.
The story is very ably illustrated by Judith Schachner (Skippyjon Jones). Her energetic watercolor paintings fully capture all the mayhem caused by the cat.

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was fun, and it didn't end how I expected at all. This is Lloyd Alexander's idea of how the cat got his purr - along the lines of a Kipling Just So story. The illustrations by Judith Schachner are a lot of fun as well - colorful and energetic. You can tell both the author and the illustrator are cat lovers.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is from the Favorites neighborhood.

It was fine. It tries to explain the seasons through housework at "Mother Holly's" house (Mother Earth). A cat causes trouble and cleans it up, and those are the seasons: The March Winds as a bellows; A snow of goose feathers from the comforter....

Pseudo-realistic images
Long story
Involved

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Style of a folktale. Rich language. Charming illustrations and character (the cat who just wants a little nap and a taste of soup, but all goes wrong and he has to clean it up quick, before Mother Holly gets back.) Read to age 4-9.

[Krysta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fan of the art style, but the story is amusing.

[Jane Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun little modern folktale. Alexander has a way with words.

[Earth&Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful writing, and exceedingly expressive illustrations with details which reward a close look. It also gave me a good laugh, which I don't often get in a picture book!

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations by Judy Schachner and an amazing story by Lloyd Alexander. I love that they worked together!

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just a fun book. I like the little mice in the background. I am going to put it on display as a last chance to check out before getting weeded tho.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting folk tale on how the cat gained her ability to purr; by swallowing thunder!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat lives with a "Mother Nature" type lady in her cottage. One day when she has to do some errands outside, he gets into all sorts of mischief inside. So many things are magical and he experiences fires, floods, thunder, snow, etc. Each time he cleans up something, something else happens. He does clean it all up, but the corn kernel he swallowed makes his tummy rumble like thunder--hence he starts purring for the first time.

What I liked: Wonderful illustrations that are rich and detailed--fun things to look for. There are two mice that appear on each page, sort of a silent Greek chorus--again, fun for kids to look for.

What I didn't like: The story is not bad, but a little confusing and a little scary when the cat thinks he's in big trouble for the chaos he caused. And actually, he doesn't suffer any long-term consequences, but starts to purr and gets combed and petted.

Would I read this to children?: I might. It's cute and has action and is funny. I would discuss and ask about the cat creating all the messes because he disobeyed Mother Holly. But he did try to clean it all up. Maybe one lesson is that your mother might get upset when you do crazy things, but she still loves you. I would have the kids look for all the little details in the paintings.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminded me of the Strega Nona books where magical and unexplainable things happen by accident. Enjoyed the great illustrations by Judith Schachner of Skippyjon Jones fame, especially the two little mice that are hiding on every page.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really felt sorry for this poor cat as he tried to clean the house. He was lazy, but once he set to work he managed to get the job done. The ending was a bit random, but it wasn't totally dissatisfying. The illustrations were colorful and energetic. I might recommend.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lloyd Alexander's writing, and I love that Lloyd Alexander loved cats. I love the grey cat in the illustrations, and I love the gentle folk tale of a story. My only complaint would be that this book is a little long to keep younger listeners engaged. I would not, however, cut a single word from it.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good story, I am glad I read it and am sorry that I haven't read it earlier. It will work for early elementary to read to, but probably not a preschool program. Also Judy Schachner illustrated it, and I only thought she did Skippyjohn Jones. This makes the reading challenge fun.

[Coral · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are neat and it's not difficult to imagine a cat getting into all this mischief! An interesting way to explain why cats purr. My daughter (6 years old) thinks it's quite funny.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mischievous cat lives with Mother Holly. The decisions he makes on a day he is home alone result in gaining his purr.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book a cat gets into a lot of trouble. If only he had listened to the old lady. This is a book to read to students to show them what happens when you don't follow the rules.

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Notes:
longer story, best for age 6+
not a fan of the illustrations
felt too wordy

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing explanation for how cats began to purr. Great illustrations.

[Danica Midlil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this a few years ago but couldn't for the life of me remember the title. I've finally found it again!
It's one of my favorite "How the..." tales ever.

[Petrie Serrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming pourquoi story beginning to end, fantastical in unexpected ways. Even more interesting if you look for the two little mice who appear in the illustrations but not the text.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a name for stories about why things are the way they are, isn't there? Is "Just So Stories" limited to Kipling? Anyway, why cats purr. Cute.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aw.

Awww.

I love how Lloyd Alexander loves cats. Have you ever wondered when cats started purring? Then read this. The illustrations are really perfect too.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot more text than most picture books.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kindergartner really enjoyed this book.