Meow: Cat Stories from Around the World

by Jane Yolen, Hala Wittwer (Illustrator)

Why are cats and mice enemies? Why do cats always land on their feet? Are cats as smart as they seem? Here's a story behind each of these feline traits. For centuries, people everywhere, from Tibet to Oman to Scotland to the United States, have been fascinated with cats and their intriguing personalities. In this captivating collection, New York Times best-selling author Jane Yolen has gathered and adapted cat stories, sayings, and nursery rhymes from around the world. The glowing jewel-like illustrations of cats galore in their native homes have been lavishly painted by Hala Wittwer.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations with cute short stories.

[Sharlene Robertson · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
I am 41 years old and am distracted by the use of “cum” yep, that’s how they spelled it.
“Mistress Pussy” and the picture that accompanies this one is of a cat laying on a chair in front of a fireplace very provocatively. Which is just weird. This is only the second “nursery rhyme” into the book as well.

This is a children’s picture book, published in 2005. Not a high school or college level text.

This failed and it could’ve been amazing!

Also, stop sexualizing cats! That’s weird!

[Bobby Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a bit lengthy. It aslo contained lots of information on one page. Besides that it was very informational. It brought other aspects of the world into the book. Showing the kids views of cats around the world.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations and I was fun to read cat legends

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely collection of cat stories with wonderful illustrations.

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little stories and wonderful illustrations.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Yolen tells such fabulous tales for children. A nice collection of stories and illustrations, especially if you love cats.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun collection of: poems, folk tales and Aesop fables all featuring the cat.
Hala Witter's color illustrations are funny and complement the text.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this wonderfully illustrated picture book about cats are 11 short cat stories. They are: the mouse and the cat; nursery rhymes; the king of the cats; the cat and the fox (Aesop); Rambe’ and Ambe’; what people say about cats; the pious cat; why tiger is angry at cat; the cat and the hen (Aesop); cat and rat; why the cat falls on her feet.

[Jesse German · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great collection of folktales all about cats (and I'm a huge cat fan)! These stories came from all around the world. It was interesting getting to read folktales that I had never heard of before and getting to see where they came from. This book teaches a lot of great life lessons and I think it would be beneficial for everyone to read. There was one page titled "What People Say about Cats" and it had where the quotes originated from. This page was my favorite because I thought it was really awesome to learn where so many of the common cat superstitions came from.

I would love to have this book in my future classroom library! I think it would be a great resource to introduce folktales and to also incorporate different cultures into the classroom. I would have my students partner read this book. Then, I would have them pick one folk tale or superstition that they weren't familiar with and have them research as partners where and why it originated and what the take away message is. Then, they would present their findings to the class in the form of their choice (ie. powerpoint, poster, skit, etc.)

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mouse and the Cat - India (cat gets trapped by a hunter, mouse helps him get out of the trap but cleverly so the cat does not catch mouse)

Nursery Rhymes - Three Little Kittens

The Cat and the Fox - Aesop (Moral: One good trick is better than a dozen bad ones.) Cat comes out on top

Rambe and Ambe - Tibet (row of mice parade in front of cat who snacks on the last one but the two title characters outsmart cat in the end)

What People Say About Cats ("Curiosity killed the cat" - England

Why Tiger is Angry at Cat - Burma (teacher and pupil dynamics)

The Cat and the Hen - Aesop (Moral: Uninvited visitors are most welcome when they go.)

Cat and Rat - Congo ("From that day on, Cat never sleeps so deeply that she cannot hear Rat gnawing...")

Why the Cat Falls on Her Feet - A Story from the Chippewa

[Ruhama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Know any cat lovers? Direct them to this book, filled with short stories, sayings and poems about cats! Yolen has stories from Scotland, Tibet, Oman, Burma and the Congo, all celebrating and explaining cats. You receive a little education from some stories, entertainment from others. The illustrations are cute, rather anime-like in spots, and they grace every page--some are spot illustrations, others are full page.

[Friend of Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute tales, but not as long or engaging as her books for strong girls and strong boys. Logan liked the stories "Cat and Rat" about how cat and rat used to live together in harmony and how that changed; and "Why do Cats Always Land on their Feet," a Chippewa tale. He was bored by the nursery rhymes, which are old news to him and by most of the sayings.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

What cat lover could resist?

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful illustrations and a great deal of variety included: nursery rhymes, fables (Aesop), fairy tales, folk tales, and quotes from all over the world about cats.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating collection of cat stories and nursery rhymes. Each story is short, so it's easy to read two or three at any time. We love cats, and we really enjoyed these stories.

[Candice M (tinylibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for cat lovers of all ages.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring and seeming to be hastily slapped together.

[pati · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cat stories for those who love cats.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think most of the stories are too advanced for younger children.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat stories. We cannot resist cat stories. WE are drawn to them. A fine collection.

[Madeline Wakem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different countries myths about cats luck or unlucky traits and stories.

[Caterpickles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yolen’s collection mixes familiar nursery rhymes and Aesop fables with lesser known stories from India, Burma, Oman, and Thailand. Within its pages, you and your child will discover why tiger is angry at cat, why cat always lands on her feet, why having one very good trick is better than having dozens of poor ones, and most importantly, why cats and mice don’t always get along.

The language is accessible, the stories short, engaging, not too scary, and fun to read aloud. Every page includes a vibrant, beautifully wrought illustration by Hala Wittwer which alternately depict cats as gentle, curious, cunning, affectionate, lazy, sorrowful, and sly.

This book was a hit in our household, but I suppose given The Four-Year-Old’s passion for cats, that was never really in doubt.