Γατουργήματα: Ένας γατίσιος οδηγός για την τέχνη... και τη ζωή

by Jenn Bailey, Nyangsongi (Illustrator), Γιώργος Τσακνιάς (Translator)

Καλώς ορίσατε στην γκαλερί μας!

Γατιά θα δείτε όμορφα, στην πένα, σαν έργο τέχνης είναι το καθένα, με αγάπη και στοργή τραγουδισμένα κουκλιά γατάκια, ένα κι ένα!

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Cats, Animals, Childrens, Humor, Poetry

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 2022

About the author

Jenn Bailey is an author, editor, documentarian, blue-ribbon pie baker, and eager traveler. She received her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Born and raised in Rhode Island, she now calls Kansas City home where she lives with her husband, three sons, and numerous cats and dogs. Jenn was inspired to write Henry's story after watching her own sons, one who is on the autism spectrum, navigate finding a friend - a process which took patience, time, and courage. But finding the right one was always, always worth it.

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rhyming picture book with illustrations that are "Purrodies" of famous "meowsterpieces".

[Tegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoo hoo, Jenn Bailey! A definite must read for cat and art lovers.

[Kara Kvasnicka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture book lovers of all ages will be thoroughly captivated by this fun and informative introduction to some of the greatest paintings and photographs of all time. If you happen to be a cat lover too, so much the better.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun way to introduce children to art!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Veera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kuvitus hieno mutta tekstit ei oikein käännettynä toimi.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Come walk along with Mama Cat
and tour the works of art.
Inside each frame you're sure to find
your own creative heart.
Mama Cat is far from pleased:
Her Kits ignore their dishes.
Their supper's filled with Tangled Strings
and Mousey-Hunting Wishes.
And so she feels the time is right
to boost their kitten smarts.
"Gather roun, you cheeky Kits--
come learn the Feline Arts."

Premise/plot: A mama cat is "teaching" her kittens about how to kitten...or how to cat, if you will. This lesson comes in verses that rhyme.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love, love the illustrations. Thirteen artworks [one of the thirteen is a photograph] inspire the illustrations for this picture book.

The Study of a Student by Laura Wheeler Waring
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijin
Nighthawks by Edward Hopper
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat
The Dancing Class by Edgar Degas
Jockey on a Galloping Horse by Eadweard Muybridge
Bedroom in Arles by Vincent Van Gogh
Children's Games by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Under the Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai
The Banjo Lesson by Henry Ossawa Tanner
New York Construction Workers Lunching on a Crossbeam by Charles Clyde Ebbets

The cats steal the show in this one.

As for the text, well, I am almost so distracted by how awesome the illustrations are that I neglect the text. I think the text is fine.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This unique spin on 12 classic paintings and a photograph, all worthy works of art, is a 3.5 for me. What's not to like about a book that combines art and felines and has the clever title of "MEOWSTERPIECES"? Inside, readers follow Mama Cat as she instructs her young charges in the ways of life and art. Each work of art offers her a chance to dole out important life lessons while the kittens themselves enter the paintings. Readers will be hard pressed to choose a favorite work of art, but mine included "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci, "The Birth of Venus" by Sandro Bottcelli, "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat, and "New York Construction Workers Lunching on a Crossbeam" by Charles Clyde Ebbets. Each one shows those frisky cats at play even when the subject matter is serious. Readers will be amazed at how this book's illustrator has captured their personalities and mimicked the original scenes through pencil and digital media artistic techniques. Back matter shows off the original works of art along with brief descriptions. Of course, this one might make readers look at their own cats with a whole new perspective and maybe even prompt them to search out paintings containing these furry animals. What a fun way to learn about great works of art! Plus, Mama Cat's life lessons are useful for anyone.

[Indyrra Chrisyadewi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If cats ruled the art world (and let’s be honest, they kind of already do), this book would be their official guidebook. Meowsterpieces is a purrfectly clever mashup of famous works of art, feline philosophy, and just the right dose of sass.
Each page features a classic artwork; think Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso; reimagined with a cat twist, plus a meow-tivational message or life lesson only a cat could deliver. The commentary is funny, sometimes snarky, and weirdly wise (like a tabby who’s seen the world but still naps 18 hours a day).
It’s a fast read, but one that leaves you smiling and maybe even rethinking how seriously we take ourselves. Because sometimes, life really is just about finding the warmest patch of sunlight and ignoring everyone else's drama.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother cat and her kittens learn about art and have fun recreating famous pieces of art...
I saw this cover art and thought, what the....
A delightful and whimsical exploration of art ensues, as portrayed by cats, in some very famous art pieces.
The illustrations are honoring and yet their own.
Great intro to art for kids; The back of the book also talks briefly about each of the famous pieces.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mama Cat and her kittens take inspiration from some of the world's great masterpieces to learn the art of being a cat. The cat brood appears in such works as Boticelli's The Birth of Venus, Hokusai's Under the Wave off Kanagawa, Henry Ossawa Tanner's The Banjo Lesson, and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks. Back matter includes information about each of the original artworks.

[Sherrema Oom-Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ingenious, beautifully illustrated book provides a fresh, contemporary look at famous paintings, like 'The Last Supper" by DaVinci and 'The Dancing Class' by Edgar Degas, among others. The humans are replaced by cats in all their many moods and glory. Playful, pouncing, and prancing, cats and kits bring these famous paintings and portraits to life.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirteen works of art are displayed in a playful way with poetry and kittens filling in the works of the main themes. A gentle way to introduce art to a younger generation, and refresh the older generation's thought process and imagination.

[Allie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really a cat's guide to art as much as art reimagined as cats, with some rhyming text that sometimes references the title but most of the time doesn't. The text is very lackluster, but the illustrations are so fun and cute. Overall: meh.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just doesn't work for me at all. Plus it's oversize, which is a bad idea for books that are expected to be bought by libraries. The best part was the back matter telling us a bit about each original work.

[CtrlAltCara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this so much!!

[Peejay(Pamela) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming picture book that turns well known artworks into kitten adventures

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art and cats!

[Sarah N · Rating 5 out of 5]

A witty and sweet little picture book! The illustrations and text together are so delightful.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant picturebook where Mama Cat and her kittens recreate famous paintings, such as 'The Night Watch' and 'The Birth of Venus'.

[Chavala · Rating 3 out of 5]

An actually diverse and educational book while being very cute.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! I recommend having the artwork reference page marked with a finger while you read, so you can compare the original and the cat version. It's pretty funny.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cats take the place of people in famous artworks. Cute but the words didn't do anything for me.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever. I liked most of the works, now filled with cute chubby cats. I liked how there was an index of the individual artworks in the back so kids can see the actual art.

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun way to introduce great works of art to the cat loving child! As an adult, I especially appreciated the explanations in the back about each painting' s inspiration! Plus CATS!!!!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a cat person, but this was cute.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is kind of hilarious, if you want to see cats reenacting famous art, this book is for you

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitties? Check. Famous artwork reimagined? Check. Famous artwork reimagined starring kitties? Yes, please.

[Marg Corjay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to some of the classic art masterpieces. The illustrations are beautifully detailed and capture the essence of the original.

[Tapani Aulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hienoja kissaversioita klassisista maalauksista. Monet aivan täysosumia. Riimittelyssäkin hyviä oivalluksia.