Pitschi

by Hans Fischer

On Lisette's farm there are many animals. Lisette loves her animals and they are all very happy--except Pitschi, the smallest kitten. Pitschi wants to be something different. It takes a terrifying night in a strange place and a warm homecoming for Pitschi to discover that what she really wants is to be a kitten after all. Full color.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1947

Reviews

[Johanna Lehto · Rating 4 out of 5]

この本は面白いです! 絵描きも可愛いです！

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sub-titled "The Kitten Who Always Wanted to Be Something Else: A Sad Story that Ends Well," this adorable picture-book, a classic of Swiss children's literature first published in 1947, and first translated into English in 1953, follows the story of Pitschi, a little kitten who isn't like her four litter-mates. While Grigri and Groggi wrestle, and Patschi and Negri climb the broom, Pitschi (who is "not amused") sets out to discover who she is, imitating a succession of different animals on Old Lisette's farm. But although Pitschi can strut like the rooster, wear a bell like the goat, waddle like the duck, and hop like the bunny, she discovers in the end that she is still a very little kitten...

One of the most popular post-war children's book illustrators in Switzerland, Hans Fischer has a style here that, despite what I would almost call a "scribbly" appearance, manages to be entirely winsome. Pitschi is a lovable little feline heroine, and her wide-eyed exploration will enchant young readers. By turns humorous (the scene in which Pitschi struts after the rooster is priceless!), frightening (the night-time encounter with fox and owl is truly sinister), and endearing (the adorably concerned dog, Bello!), the artwork is always expressive, and the story involving. Pitschi is definitely a picture-book that deserves its status as a classic - just as it deserves to be better known here in the English-speaking world!

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in Switzerland in 1947 and then first published in the US in 1953, this book is a classic that I had never read before. Old Lisette has two cats, five kittens, and a dog who are near her playing as she knits outside. That is all of the kittens are playing except for one who is sitting still and dreaming. Pitschi is much more interested in exploring and dreaming than playing with her siblings. So off she heads into the farmyard. There she finds a rooster who struts proudly. Pitschi decides that she wants to be a rooster and gives her best strut and crow. But when their crowing draws another rooster in and they fight, Pitschi decides she doesn’t want to be a rooster anymore. One after another Pitschi discovers an animal, thinks it would be grand to be that, and then learns about the drawbacks. Goats are milked. Ducks swim. And rabbits live in danger from foxes and owls. Luckily the old dog and Old Lisette are there to rescue a lost kitten after dark and remind her how grand it is to be a kitten after all.

There is a wonderful pluckiness about this little kitten. She is often unafraid, bold and always curious. Her willingness to reinvent herself is very endearing and makes for a book that is a great foil for books where the character is seeking to find those who are like themselves. Here Pitschi relishes the differences and the new character traits she finds.

Fischer’s art is free form and simple. Often colored with washes of only a few colors, his use of line is done with great skill and ease. The simple curlicues of a tree branches, the squiggles that form a rabbit’s tail, and the swirls of a basket. The illustrations come to life because of this simplicity.

Highly recommended. If you missed this treasure from the 40s and 50s, you are in luck because North South is re-releasing it this year. Share it with cat lovers or in story times about cats or farms. It is a real Swiss treat.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a child. It teaches kids that the best thing they can be is themselves. It's such a cute story with a good message.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently ordered this book in soft cover from a sale book catalog. In my childhood, the hard cover book was the one I remember reading and loving.

As an adult, I have a new admiration for the illustrations in this book--they are wonderful and outstanding. For the holidays, I gave the book as a gift to an artist friend/cat lover who appreciated the book from those two perspectives.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Pitschi goes through an epic adventure. It’s a story about being happy with your self beautifully illustrated.

[Jaq · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cautionary tale to keep in your lane and don't aspire to go elsewhere.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this hard-bound copy at the 2011 ALA Midwinter Conference, and I plan to give it to a friend's child soon. The pictures capture many characteristics of a cat that only someone who is a cat-lover can convey. Pitschi, the little scrawny black cat (with a tuxedo coat of color), endures an epic journey in which she ponders what it would be like to be many other animals, survives an illness with bravery and Madeleine-esque vulnerability, and discovers how many, many farm animals have become her friends. The writer, Hans "fis," Fischer, was a highly influential children's book illustrator with an inspiring career, briefly described on the last page of this book. Pitschi is a must for collectors of children's books about cats and will be enjoyed by parents and children at all ages.

[Capn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book of a young kitten discovering its identity. Loved by Swiss children for generations, the charming lithographs and story will suit any animal lover - especially cat owners with a propensity for babying their "bussis" (moggies, pussies, fluffs, , etc.).

I think this could be a nice part of a cat-themed book gift. I would also select Mog the Forgetful Cat by Judith Kerr, and Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag. Smudge by Clare Turlay Newberry is on my to-read list. Another sweet newcomer is Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. I would put them all into a basket or other cute vessel and include some cat treats and a stuffed kitty toy. If the child doesn't have a cat, he or she can make friends with neighbouring cats with the treats. ;) A very useful and memorable gift for a cat-loving child.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becky's right: the kitten tucked into the huge bed is definitely the best illustration, as it is completely adorable.

I do wonder about creating a list of picture books with animals dealing with identity crises. There seem to be a lot of them!

Favorite Quote:

Sleeping on a bench next to her were the cats Mauli and Ruli. Their five kittens had just turned six weeks old. Two of them, Grigri and Groggi, were wrestling. Patschi was playing with a ball of wool, and Negri was trying to climb to broom. But the last one, the smallest and daintiest of them all, wasn't playing like the others. She just sat in the basket, dreaming. Her name was Pitschi.

[Sabine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Da war ein grosser Zeichner am Werk! Entsprechend eingängig sind die Bilder, die man sein Leben lang nicht mehr vergessen wird.
Die Geschichte erzählt vom kleinen Pitschi, das nicht mit seinen Geschwistern spielen will, sondern ein anderes Tier sein möchte. Ein Hahn? Eine Ziege? Eine Ente? Ein Hase? Oh, Pitschi gerät in grosse Not und die Kinder müssen um es zittern! Aber natürlich geht alles gut aus!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a kitten that wants to be anything but a kitten. He tries to be so many other things but as he tries each one he learns he doesn't want to be that after all. Great story to read when students are trying to be something their not or are not happy with themselves.

[Carla Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm trying to cut back on the number of children's books I buy (they're slowly taking over my house!), but I couldn't resist this lovely book about a kitten who wants to be something else. The illustrations are lovely, and Pitschi, the main character, is spirited.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long for storytime, but a beautiful story about a kitten who tried being all the other animals on the farm until she learned to be happy being herself.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book when I was little. Every time we went to the library, I would ask to take it home

[Karl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great illustrations, but not much of a story.