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Elemenopeo
Introducing the charming and lovable Elemenopeo--no ordinary cat. Elemenopeo has a strict daily routine. First he goes outside to play in the garden and to wistfully observe the flying birds, then he curls up for a nap and his favorite dream.
But one morning his schedule is completely thrown off. His cat door is closed for repairs, leaving the adventuresome Elemenopeo trapped inside. Bored, he prowls from room to room, until he spots an easel and a box of paints. Suddenly he is struck with an idea, and he dons a smock and begins to paint. Elemenopeo paints his favorite dream, which transcends reality and joins the world of birds.
In this whimsical story, illustrated with fresh colorful paintings, an irrepressible little cat soars as high as his dreams. Young children will relate to Elemenopeo's security in his scheduled day, his dismay at being stuck inside, and the way he uses his imagination as a means of escape.
Harriet Ziefert has written many popular books for children, including her latest, I Swapped My Dog. She divides her time between Maplewood, New Jersey, and Lincoln, Massachusetts.
David Saaf, a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, has illustrated several books for children. He lives with his wife and son in Bellow Falls, Vermont.
But one morning his schedule is completely thrown off. His cat door is closed for repairs, leaving the adventuresome Elemenopeo trapped inside. Bored, he prowls from room to room, until he spots an easel and a box of paints. Suddenly he is struck with an idea, and he dons a smock and begins to paint. Elemenopeo paints his favorite dream, which transcends reality and joins the world of birds.
In this whimsical story, illustrated with fresh colorful paintings, an irrepressible little cat soars as high as his dreams. Young children will relate to Elemenopeo's security in his scheduled day, his dismay at being stuck inside, and the way he uses his imagination as a means of escape.
Harriet Ziefert has written many popular books for children, including her latest, I Swapped My Dog. She divides her time between Maplewood, New Jersey, and Lincoln, Massachusetts.
David Saaf, a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, has illustrated several books for children. He lives with his wife and son in Bellow Falls, Vermont.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 1998
1 person is currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Harriet Ziefert
692 books56 followersHarriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.
For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.
"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.
For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.
"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 5, 2020
Elemenopeo was a cat who liked his daily routine, from his mornings playing in the garden, to his afternoons spent napping, and dreaming of flight. When his convenient cat door is closed for repairs, however, and he finds himself confined to the house, he looks elsewhere for entertainment, and, happening upon an easel and a box of paints, decides to paint his own portrait...
I don't know, all told, that this made as much of an impression upon me, as upon the friend who recommended it, but Elemenopeo - just say "L M N O P O," the narrators intones - was still an engaging tale, with an appealing feline hero. Sometimes I have a little trouble with the way animals are anthropmorphized in such stories (see Anne Mortimer's Pumpkin Cat for an example), particularly when realistic and unrealistic behavior for animals are blended together, but the dream with a winged Elemenopeo, early on in the story, made this enough of a fantasy that I was willing to give it a pass. The artwork was colorful and sweet (although Elemenopeo's smile was a little creepy, I think), and will undoubtedly keep young reader/listeners' attention.
Although not wildly enthusiastic about it, this is engaging enough that I would still recommend it, particularly to young cat lovers, and to children who dream of becoming artists.
I don't know, all told, that this made as much of an impression upon me, as upon the friend who recommended it, but Elemenopeo - just say "L M N O P O," the narrators intones - was still an engaging tale, with an appealing feline hero. Sometimes I have a little trouble with the way animals are anthropmorphized in such stories (see Anne Mortimer's Pumpkin Cat for an example), particularly when realistic and unrealistic behavior for animals are blended together, but the dream with a winged Elemenopeo, early on in the story, made this enough of a fantasy that I was willing to give it a pass. The artwork was colorful and sweet (although Elemenopeo's smile was a little creepy, I think), and will undoubtedly keep young reader/listeners' attention.
Although not wildly enthusiastic about it, this is engaging enough that I would still recommend it, particularly to young cat lovers, and to children who dream of becoming artists.
October 26, 2011
What a cute and fun book! Elemenopeo is such a positive cat, getting so much enjoyment out of his daily routine of meals, napping, playing, and visits with other animals. And when his schedule is interrupted ("Cat Door Closed for Repairs") he quickly finds entertainment inside -- by painting a self-portrait!
The simple but charming text is great for reading aloud or for a beginning reader, and the bright paintings are perfect.
The simple but charming text is great for reading aloud or for a beginning reader, and the bright paintings are perfect.
November 12, 2011
This story is cute and amusing, and it has really wonderful illustrations. However, I liked the more authentic cat like qualities of Elemenopeo than his anthropomorphized portrait painting. Maybe I was in the wrong mood to read this. It’s very appealing in many ways. 3 ½ stars
August 6, 2016
Oh my goodness! THIS book. THIS book is criminally underrated, because I've never heard of it and it's now one of my favorite children's books ever. It has been around for a while, but it CERTAINLY deserves to be re-printed. It's wonderful.
Aside from the beautiful, lush, warm cat illustrations, the language is great. My favorite line? "I'm an orderly cat. I like the sameness of my days." (I consider myself to be an orderly person who likes the sameness of her days, so I really appreciated this.)
MUST run out and purchase a copy for my own collection. What a wonderful little story.
Aside from the beautiful, lush, warm cat illustrations, the language is great. My favorite line? "I'm an orderly cat. I like the sameness of my days." (I consider myself to be an orderly person who likes the sameness of her days, so I really appreciated this.)
MUST run out and purchase a copy for my own collection. What a wonderful little story.
June 25, 2009
Elemenopeo is delightful! Wonderfully vibrant illustrations charm child and adult alike. The text is fun - I quite like the thought of a cat enjoying lox and cream cheese. And yes, even the tail on the cover brings a chuckle to the heart.
January 27, 2008
Even the cat's tail on the cover can make me laugh. A sweet story of an artist-cat's day.
September 3, 2012
This is one of the first books that my daughter checked out from her school library in 1st grade.
She loved reading this one with me. She go to actually read herself during a few parts that she could sound out the words. It totally made her feel accomplished that she was reading to me!
It's a lovable story about a very particular cat who is very happy with a set schedule.
When things got in the way of that schedule, he improvised and made the most of it by creating art.
I would recommend this book to young cat lovers, and young aspiring artists.
The illustrations were incredibly vibrant and very cute as well. Just look at this tail on the cover...doesn't that just make you smile? :o)
She loved reading this one with me. She go to actually read herself during a few parts that she could sound out the words. It totally made her feel accomplished that she was reading to me!
It's a lovable story about a very particular cat who is very happy with a set schedule.
When things got in the way of that schedule, he improvised and made the most of it by creating art.
I would recommend this book to young cat lovers, and young aspiring artists.
The illustrations were incredibly vibrant and very cute as well. Just look at this tail on the cover...doesn't that just make you smile? :o)
August 28, 2013
Daily life of a cat then it gets trapped inside.
April 18, 2014
I thought a book with title and by this author and about a cat would be something very special. I was wrong. Elemenopeo was Elementario.
March 29, 2017
A cute picture book about an artist cat.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews