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گربه: یا چگونه جاودانگی ام از دست رفت؟
کریستینه هر روز صبح در راه مدرسه با گربه ی سفید و پیری مواجه می شود. گربه حرف می زند و درباره ی سازوکار دنیا صحبت می کند. اما آیا کریستینه باید تمام حرف های گربه را باور کند؟
«تلفیقی از افسانه های چریان برادران گریم و داستان های فرانتس کافکا. گربه شبیه هیچ کدام از افسانه هایی که پیش از این خوانده ام نیست. یوتا ریشتر آشکارا نویسنده ای متفاوت است.»
جویس کرول اوتس
«تلفیقی از افسانه های چریان برادران گریم و داستان های فرانتس کافکا. گربه شبیه هیچ کدام از افسانه هایی که پیش از این خوانده ام نیست. یوتا ریشتر آشکارا نویسنده ای متفاوت است.»
جویس کرول اوتس
55 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2006
239 people want to read
About the author
Jutta Richter
85 books8 followersJutta Richter (born September 30, 1955 in Burgsteinfurt, Westfalen, Germany) is a German author of children's and youth literature.
Richter spent her youth in the Ruhr and Sauerland and at the age of 15 she spent a year in Detroit (USA). There she wrote her first book, so as not to forget her native language, and published the book whilst still a schoolgirl.
After studying Theology, German, and Communication in Münster, she has worked since 1978 as a freelance writer at Schloss Westerwinkel in Ascheberg and in Lucca (Tuscany).
Richter spent her youth in the Ruhr and Sauerland and at the age of 15 she spent a year in Detroit (USA). There she wrote her first book, so as not to forget her native language, and published the book whilst still a schoolgirl.
After studying Theology, German, and Communication in Münster, she has worked since 1978 as a freelance writer at Schloss Westerwinkel in Ascheberg and in Lucca (Tuscany).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 28, 2024
اولا که اجازه بدید بگم من باوووورم نمیشه تو سال ۱۴۰۳ تونستم کتابی رو به مبلغ ده هزار تومن بخرم! با این پول چیپس هم به آدم نمیدن!
قیمتش خیلی عجیب نیست؟!
واقعا بابت پبدا کردنش به خودم افتخار میکنم!🫡 و البته ممنونم از کتابفروشی دی.
دوم اینکه این کتاب چاقعا تو دستهی کتاب کودک قرار میگیره؟!
سختخوان و پیچیدهتر از این حرفها بود! پیغامش رو خیلی خیلی سخت رسوند!
بهش امتیاز سه دادم. فقط چون بهنظرم داستان و پیغام جالبی داشت. ولی برای کودک مناسب نیست. از نظر من اگر برای بچهای میخواید بخرید، پولتون رو بذارید برای کتابهای بهتر از این.
اگر برای خودتون میخواید، کتاب جالبی بود.
داستان دربارهی یک گربهی پیر و حسود و پرحاشیه بود. :دی
قیمتش خیلی عجیب نیست؟!
واقعا بابت پبدا کردنش به خودم افتخار میکنم!🫡 و البته ممنونم از کتابفروشی دی.
دوم اینکه این کتاب چاقعا تو دستهی کتاب کودک قرار میگیره؟!
سختخوان و پیچیدهتر از این حرفها بود! پیغامش رو خیلی خیلی سخت رسوند!
بهش امتیاز سه دادم. فقط چون بهنظرم داستان و پیغام جالبی داشت. ولی برای کودک مناسب نیست. از نظر من اگر برای بچهای میخواید بخرید، پولتون رو بذارید برای کتابهای بهتر از این.
اگر برای خودتون میخواید، کتاب جالبی بود.
داستان دربارهی یک گربهی پیر و حسود و پرحاشیه بود. :دی
July 17, 2019
I enjoyed this concise poetic fable, but would have been even more enchanted when I was a 'tween reading things like "The Little Prince" and "Mister God This is Anna." This girl sees things that adults don't, like the fact that the abused dog belongs to a man who deserves even more sympathy, and that teachers don't notice a missing "not" when they assign 200 lines.
The cat is wise, but also judgemental... it reminds me of some of the teachers of martial arts, cooking, or related, in which the apprentice has to spend years scrubbing floors before being allowed to touch the pots and pans... is that a good way to pass down wisdom? More questions: Are most victims to blame? Is the ability to count important? Is Pug a good boy or a bad boy? Is it so bad to grow up? Or to eat the apple?
Do not underestimate children. Not all of them are satisfied with stories of just adventure and humor and would enjoy/ appreciate a philosophical tale like this.
The cat is wise, but also judgemental... it reminds me of some of the teachers of martial arts, cooking, or related, in which the apprentice has to spend years scrubbing floors before being allowed to touch the pots and pans... is that a good way to pass down wisdom? More questions: Are most victims to blame? Is the ability to count important? Is Pug a good boy or a bad boy? Is it so bad to grow up? Or to eat the apple?
Do not underestimate children. Not all of them are satisfied with stories of just adventure and humor and would enjoy/ appreciate a philosophical tale like this.
March 17, 2016
A 1001 CBYMRBYGU. This is a children’s book? If a kid could read this book and get what the author was trying to say, then that kid is a wiser soul than I am. Here’s the plot, as best I can figure it: A girl walks to school each day and sees a cat. The cat talks to her. The cat is quite the philosopher. She tells the girl what she knows about the world. The cat makes the girl late for school and that causes the girl problems. There is also a mailman who is trying to find a wife and the Pug, a boy who lives in the apartment below the girl.
I have no idea what this book is really about. If anyone knows, then please send a cat over my way to share it with me.
“Eternity felt very big and very slow, especially when I couldn’t share it with the cat. The only thing that helped was the chain saw that Waldemar Buck used to carve up the afternoon. It wailed over the rooftops, and I imagined that with each wail a little piece of eternity fell from heaven.”
I have no idea what this book is really about. If anyone knows, then please send a cat over my way to share it with me.
“Eternity felt very big and very slow, especially when I couldn’t share it with the cat. The only thing that helped was the chain saw that Waldemar Buck used to carve up the afternoon. It wailed over the rooftops, and I imagined that with each wail a little piece of eternity fell from heaven.”
March 12, 2011
Don't be fooled by the shortness and cute cat pictures; this sad, funny, philosophical little book is not for children(or at least not especially for them). I would have understood it as a child, but I would have hated it. You can't unknown things once you've learned them, yet you can lose the understandings you once possessed. You can't stop yourself from growing up.
March 26, 2008
Even before I realized that this was translated from the German (apparently I am not very observant, when it comes to information conveyed on a cover), it struck me as a very German book. The Cat: Or, How I Lost Eternity captures the surreal nature of a child's reality, and the gradual emergence from that surreal mindset. Not your typical children's story, which is a shame: more children's books should be more odd, and less sugary-simple-sweet.
I love that the cat is this sage/fool character -- and kind of a jerk in the way that cats are kind of jerks.
Also, the illustrations are awesome.
I love that the cat is this sage/fool character -- and kind of a jerk in the way that cats are kind of jerks.
Also, the illustrations are awesome.
June 3, 2011
The illustrator of this book also illustrated one of my favorite children's books: In the Town, All Year 'Round.
Strange book! Your turn a page, and have to check to make sure that two pages didn't stick together because the plot doesn't seem to follow naturally. Or, two pages do stick together and you don't notice because there wasn't much continuity in the first place.
Strange book! Your turn a page, and have to check to make sure that two pages didn't stick together because the plot doesn't seem to follow naturally. Or, two pages do stick together and you don't notice because there wasn't much continuity in the first place.
December 25, 2018
قرار بود کتاب کودک باشه این الان؟ :|
انقدر دارم و پیچیده و نمادین و فلسفی؟ من نفهمیدم هیچ ازش. یا اینطور بگم، برای انتقال پیغامی که کتاب به من داد ایییینهمه پیچیدگی لازم نبود.
🤷🏻♀️
انقدر دارم و پیچیده و نمادین و فلسفی؟ من نفهمیدم هیچ ازش. یا اینطور بگم، برای انتقال پیغامی که کتاب به من داد ایییینهمه پیچیدگی لازم نبود.
🤷🏻♀️
February 23, 2024
عجب کتاب خاص و عجیبی
February 28, 2018
I just didn't get this one. I wanted to like it, but the story was just bizarre. What was the point? Maybe I missed something, but the whole thing didn't make sense. And this was a Batchelder Award honor book! Maybe someone else out there can read it and understand it and explain it to me.
March 17, 2020
قشنگه. یه کتابِ واقعا خوشمزه!
از اون هایی که دوباره خوندنش هیچوقت خسته ت نمیکنه uwu
حرف های گربه ی پیر و سفید درباره ی جاودانگی، و اره شدنش به دست انسان ها. حداقلش اینه که ارزش امتحان کردن رو داره~
از اون هایی که دوباره خوندنش هیچوقت خسته ت نمیکنه uwu
حرف های گربه ی پیر و سفید درباره ی جاودانگی، و اره شدنش به دست انسان ها. حداقلش اینه که ارزش امتحان کردن رو داره~
April 20, 2008
Suckered in by the cat on the cover, and the cute concept...
What I found inside was a translated German fable that features a talking cat who questions the existence of God, the power of authority, and the will of humanity. Not exactly prime material for a "children's" book, but I found it interesting nonetheless...of course, it could just stem from a desire to converse with my cat!
I would compare this to the two Audrey Niffenegger graphic novels in terms of tenor and tone. And who can pass up cute cat drawings, I mean really? ;)
What I found inside was a translated German fable that features a talking cat who questions the existence of God, the power of authority, and the will of humanity. Not exactly prime material for a "children's" book, but I found it interesting nonetheless...of course, it could just stem from a desire to converse with my cat!
I would compare this to the two Audrey Niffenegger graphic novels in terms of tenor and tone. And who can pass up cute cat drawings, I mean really? ;)
August 29, 2018
An entertaining read in the Haruki Murakami kind of way...for kids. ;P
Read
March 27, 2024بامزه بود!
April 12, 2013
Audience: ages 6-10, children with fanciful imaginations, Christians (potentially), budding feminists?, philosophists.
Appeal: This book relies on a lot of metaphor and sometimes rambles on the side of being philosophical. It's an interesting narrative with a mystical, child-like wonder that reminds you of a fairy tale. Many plot points are understated, so this book needs a lot of reading between the lines. An enjoyable read, definitely.
Application: This is a book I'd give to an individual rather than teach to the class. I believe the lessons within this book are rather personal ("losing eternity," etc.), and it's a journey each student should partake on their own. There are Christian allegories, certainly, and that creates a sort of dissonance with the reader; the audience for this type of book is limited.
Award: Batchelder honor book award for 2008
School Library Journal Review:
Gr 5-8-Eight-year-old Christine is late for school every day because she is stopped by a white alley cat that insists on talking to her. They discuss math and loneliness and eternity. While at first Christine feels an affinity with the cat, it later repulses her. The conversations eventually come to an end once Christine stops believing that the feline has anything wise or useful to say to her. It acts the role of The Serpent, trying to lure the Eve-like Christine into doing and being what she knows is not right. There is even a discussion about the Tree of Knowledge and Original Sin at the end to hammer home the point. There is an abundance of unpleasant food imagery (starting with the fish smell that the cat leaves on Christine's hand whenever she touches it), male characters who are either incompetent or unfeeling, and an eclipse that represents the end of the world. It is hard to imagine a broad audience for this book.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(I know this is a 2007 book, but it's so odd, I just couldn't help bringing it up).
Appeal: This book relies on a lot of metaphor and sometimes rambles on the side of being philosophical. It's an interesting narrative with a mystical, child-like wonder that reminds you of a fairy tale. Many plot points are understated, so this book needs a lot of reading between the lines. An enjoyable read, definitely.
Application: This is a book I'd give to an individual rather than teach to the class. I believe the lessons within this book are rather personal ("losing eternity," etc.), and it's a journey each student should partake on their own. There are Christian allegories, certainly, and that creates a sort of dissonance with the reader; the audience for this type of book is limited.
Award: Batchelder honor book award for 2008
School Library Journal Review:
Gr 5-8-Eight-year-old Christine is late for school every day because she is stopped by a white alley cat that insists on talking to her. They discuss math and loneliness and eternity. While at first Christine feels an affinity with the cat, it later repulses her. The conversations eventually come to an end once Christine stops believing that the feline has anything wise or useful to say to her. It acts the role of The Serpent, trying to lure the Eve-like Christine into doing and being what she knows is not right. There is even a discussion about the Tree of Knowledge and Original Sin at the end to hammer home the point. There is an abundance of unpleasant food imagery (starting with the fish smell that the cat leaves on Christine's hand whenever she touches it), male characters who are either incompetent or unfeeling, and an eclipse that represents the end of the world. It is hard to imagine a broad audience for this book.-Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(I know this is a 2007 book, but it's so odd, I just couldn't help bringing it up).
November 6, 2019
Ésta bizarra obra infantil narra como Cristina (una escolar de ocho años, algo solitaria) entabla amistad con un viejo gato de su barrio, el cual le explicará de la vida y de lo importante de ésta.
No hay duda que los autores Alemanes tienen un aura bastante gris y decadente; es mi visión particular. Pero traspasarla al mundo de la literatura infantil es pasarse de la raya.
Cierto es que el libro discurre entre la realidad y la fantasía, cosa que se podía dar en la cotidianidad de ciertos infantes únicos en las familias de antaño. Sin embargo, su discurso, aunque muy curioso y que toca temas interesantes por resultar chocantes en éste tipo de lectura (como el de dejarse manipular por el miedo bajo el discurso de la religión o el del auto conocimiento y aprendizaje, sin dejar entrar los criterios de terceros ni caer en la ignorancia que lleva a la esclavitud dogmática, ya sea de género o por misericordia), resulta errático y desagradable, con apenas ningún pasaje alegre, casi todo es ruin, oscuro e inmisericorde. De surrealista que es, a veces parece que les estén tomando el pelo al lector, unas veces se antoja una lectura algo ‘feminista’ de fondo (o sea a favor de los derechos de igualdad en la edad temprana), otra pro asocial, directamente, y para colmo lleva a un final con un discurso y mensaje que deja al gato por los suelos (cosa que no me gusta y no entiendo), ya que si se le da tanta importancia a las lecciones del gato en la obra ¿A qué debe ser ahora tal desquite?. Todo es fatuo y arbitrario; no deja poso en su final.
En fin, una obra que deja un halo de incertidumbre y sorpresa tras su lectura...aún no sé qué pretendía la autora con ella; para rematar con un aura de desconsuelo que acompaña, eso sí, a toda la obra. Un libro que no recomendaría a nadie en particular y a los niños menos; cuando crezcan ya tendrán tiempo, si quieren, de lamentarse o leer cosas decadentes y desapacibles.
Nota adicional: pensé que éste año no calificaría con una estrella..pues aquí la tenemos, xd.
No hay duda que los autores Alemanes tienen un aura bastante gris y decadente; es mi visión particular. Pero traspasarla al mundo de la literatura infantil es pasarse de la raya.
Cierto es que el libro discurre entre la realidad y la fantasía, cosa que se podía dar en la cotidianidad de ciertos infantes únicos en las familias de antaño. Sin embargo, su discurso, aunque muy curioso y que toca temas interesantes por resultar chocantes en éste tipo de lectura (como el de dejarse manipular por el miedo bajo el discurso de la religión o el del auto conocimiento y aprendizaje, sin dejar entrar los criterios de terceros ni caer en la ignorancia que lleva a la esclavitud dogmática, ya sea de género o por misericordia), resulta errático y desagradable, con apenas ningún pasaje alegre, casi todo es ruin, oscuro e inmisericorde. De surrealista que es, a veces parece que les estén tomando el pelo al lector, unas veces se antoja una lectura algo ‘feminista’ de fondo (o sea a favor de los derechos de igualdad en la edad temprana), otra pro asocial, directamente, y para colmo lleva a un final con un discurso y mensaje que deja al gato por los suelos (cosa que no me gusta y no entiendo), ya que si se le da tanta importancia a las lecciones del gato en la obra ¿A qué debe ser ahora tal desquite?. Todo es fatuo y arbitrario; no deja poso en su final.
En fin, una obra que deja un halo de incertidumbre y sorpresa tras su lectura...aún no sé qué pretendía la autora con ella; para rematar con un aura de desconsuelo que acompaña, eso sí, a toda la obra. Un libro que no recomendaría a nadie en particular y a los niños menos; cuando crezcan ya tendrán tiempo, si quieren, de lamentarse o leer cosas decadentes y desapacibles.
Nota adicional: pensé que éste año no calificaría con una estrella..pues aquí la tenemos, xd.
May 7, 2009
Weird story; I was attracted to the story because it was on top of the bookshelf, on display, in the school library. This imagery, on the second page, drew me in: "A whole world unfolded before me on the street, a world with glimmering rainbow-streaked gasoline puddles." I visualized this with such delight, realizing that I hadn't noticed the rainbow-swirls in puddles in YEARS (a lot of years). Do only children notice these things? Do these images appear only to children?
The rest of the story I read quickly, unable to relate to anything else with as much interest, and I was mildly annoyed by the strangeness of it. In the end (this was the quickest read ever), it made a bit of sense and I felt a vague sense of satisfaction, understanding that this is about making choices about what you believe is true and right and how ultimately this coming of age causes you to sacrifice the magic that comes with ignorance, innocence, and youth. I did also end with an itching sense that I hadn't quite grasped its full meaning and that I could benefit from a second reading. However, I have no interest in persuing that meaning, so I'm just rating this a 3.
I have NO IDEA why this would be considered a young adult title, as I can't imagine it appealing to ANYONE younger than 25.
The rest of the story I read quickly, unable to relate to anything else with as much interest, and I was mildly annoyed by the strangeness of it. In the end (this was the quickest read ever), it made a bit of sense and I felt a vague sense of satisfaction, understanding that this is about making choices about what you believe is true and right and how ultimately this coming of age causes you to sacrifice the magic that comes with ignorance, innocence, and youth. I did also end with an itching sense that I hadn't quite grasped its full meaning and that I could benefit from a second reading. However, I have no interest in persuing that meaning, so I'm just rating this a 3.
I have NO IDEA why this would be considered a young adult title, as I can't imagine it appealing to ANYONE younger than 25.
February 28, 2017
Enh. For one of the 1001 Children's Books to Read Before You Grow Up, I can think of a lot of others that I'd choose before this one. However, if that editor needed a certain number of books from countries other than the US or UK, then I can understand why they might be included. I just don't see that book (the 1001.... book) being translated into German anytime soon (and if it were, then the editor should have chosen better fare than this - e.g. Cornelia Funke or others).
I *might* have enjoyed it more as a kid, but I kind of doubt it. Too surreal without the charm of most fairy tales.
I *might* have enjoyed it more as a kid, but I kind of doubt it. Too surreal without the charm of most fairy tales.
October 29, 2019
"Oh, yes, willful was what I wanted to be. Utterly willful. A willful girl was like a hen that crowed: something special."
"And that's how I learned the language of the cows. Those afternoons had no yesterday and no tomorrow---only me and the cows and the cat, who crouched on a fence post and squinted in the sunlight."
These two passages just jumped at me. And I can't express or explain how powerful, poetic and meaningful they were to me.
The rest of the work no doubt has an overall meaning, given the time it was written and in the manner in which it was written. But that's no doubt been analyzed by someone far better than I.
"And that's how I learned the language of the cows. Those afternoons had no yesterday and no tomorrow---only me and the cows and the cat, who crouched on a fence post and squinted in the sunlight."
These two passages just jumped at me. And I can't express or explain how powerful, poetic and meaningful they were to me.
The rest of the work no doubt has an overall meaning, given the time it was written and in the manner in which it was written. But that's no doubt been analyzed by someone far better than I.
October 27, 2019
So- this is a really strange book which I feel must lose something in translation. Originally written in German and translated into English, it's about an 8 year old girl who talks to a cat. A fairly wicked little cat who gossips about people and says they got what they deserved when bad things happen to them.
It's very much a philosophical book- I don't think very many kids would enjoy it. It jumps around a bit, much like the way The Little Prince jumps around.
I dunno, I'm glad I read it, but, can't see myself revisiting it.
It's very much a philosophical book- I don't think very many kids would enjoy it. It jumps around a bit, much like the way The Little Prince jumps around.
I dunno, I'm glad I read it, but, can't see myself revisiting it.
June 22, 2021
I thought this would be an easy read, but I was clearly wrong. I dove in to the world of a little girl who is two hours late to school because a talking cat crosses her path. It took me a while to understand the plot, because I am not a sucker for these kinds of psychological books that go into minute details about everything the character had experienced. It took me three times to fully grasp the plot, and eventually, it turned out that I liked it.
January 12, 2019
Un joli livre mignon, très adapté pour les enfants et agréable pour les plus grands mais qui reste assez pessimiste, de mon point de vue. J'imagine que l'on peut y trouver beaucoup de messages d'espoir, c'est un livre très philosophique. Mais j'attendais plus de joie et de bonheur dans ces petites pages, j'ai été assez déçue.
August 20, 2019
I am not so good at deciphering metaphors and I usually prefer straightforward prose. That said, there are a few quirky parts of this enigmatic, philosophical work that are intriguing. I wonder if it reads differently in the original German. At any rate, this is an odd book - better if you like metaphorical elliptical writing.
July 19, 2021
A young girl gets in trouble at school and at home for stopping on her way back and forth to listen to a cat who tends to lie to her. It's as weird as it sounds, and not in a good way. Maybe much is lost in the translation?
August 6, 2018
Interesting, engaging, different. I loved it at first but was disappointed in the end.
October 16, 2019
Eh. Too deep for me, maybe? I didn't like the characters, their dialogue, or the loose plot very much.
Read
December 16, 2019I, ummm, don’t get it.
November 23, 2025
Kinda like murakami for kids
February 28, 2010
This is a strange little book that I found somewhat compelling because of the conversations between a white cat and a little eight year-old girl. This young girl finds herself reprimanded at school because she is always late, due to a white cat that talks to her and prevents her from arriving on time. As a punishment, the girl is required to write that talking cats do not exist. She refuses to admit this and ultimately comes to a decision about the cat and his philosophies.
Many universal themes are addressed in this little book. Willfulness is mentioned first because I think it ties with the ending theme of original sin (which is a story about willfulness.) The child attempts to determine if she is a willful child, the cat confirms that she is. The child then concludes “willful is what I want to be… something special.” Equating willfulness with being special, the child then confronts other themes of life such as eternity and loneliness. The cat declares that he is immortal. The girl concludes that they are both willful. As the girl identifies with the cat they discuss some of life’s themes. Loneliness is seen in the mailman and dog. The girl attempts to show empathy, but the cat will have none of that. He does not show compassion and is irritated that the girl will not follow his lead in being pitiless. Another theme is revealed through an underdog character who is a new kid on the block. The girl wrestles with taunting or befriending him. This is another universal theme that many children face. On the page, the reader watches the girl struggle with doing what is the right thing. Near the conclusion of the book, the theme of original sin is addressed. It becomes obvious that the cat is like the snake in the Bible story of Adam and Eve. The cat is like Satan. Through this small book, many universal themes are addressed that children of any culture ask of themselves and of the world around them. Wanting to know what to do about the lonely people or animals they see around them, children ask questions to sort out the feelings of empathy they have. Choosing to be good or evil is a struggle for all people—not only children. This book points out that individuals don’t have to listen to the “devil” that is talking over their shoulder, or a white cat as it is illustrated in this book. All people through their thoughts and actions make choices to be altruistic or not. This is a book that could be effective in any classroom with students of any age—if it was scaffolded. I don’t think that a cold reading of this book would be comprehended unless it was read by advanced high school students. I think it could be used to spark discussions with younger students, but that it could be also read by high school students who would enjoy the unusual story, format, illustrations, and the challenge of discovering the themes.
Many universal themes are addressed in this little book. Willfulness is mentioned first because I think it ties with the ending theme of original sin (which is a story about willfulness.) The child attempts to determine if she is a willful child, the cat confirms that she is. The child then concludes “willful is what I want to be… something special.” Equating willfulness with being special, the child then confronts other themes of life such as eternity and loneliness. The cat declares that he is immortal. The girl concludes that they are both willful. As the girl identifies with the cat they discuss some of life’s themes. Loneliness is seen in the mailman and dog. The girl attempts to show empathy, but the cat will have none of that. He does not show compassion and is irritated that the girl will not follow his lead in being pitiless. Another theme is revealed through an underdog character who is a new kid on the block. The girl wrestles with taunting or befriending him. This is another universal theme that many children face. On the page, the reader watches the girl struggle with doing what is the right thing. Near the conclusion of the book, the theme of original sin is addressed. It becomes obvious that the cat is like the snake in the Bible story of Adam and Eve. The cat is like Satan. Through this small book, many universal themes are addressed that children of any culture ask of themselves and of the world around them. Wanting to know what to do about the lonely people or animals they see around them, children ask questions to sort out the feelings of empathy they have. Choosing to be good or evil is a struggle for all people—not only children. This book points out that individuals don’t have to listen to the “devil” that is talking over their shoulder, or a white cat as it is illustrated in this book. All people through their thoughts and actions make choices to be altruistic or not. This is a book that could be effective in any classroom with students of any age—if it was scaffolded. I don’t think that a cold reading of this book would be comprehended unless it was read by advanced high school students. I think it could be used to spark discussions with younger students, but that it could be also read by high school students who would enjoy the unusual story, format, illustrations, and the challenge of discovering the themes.
September 14, 2009
Needed a short read while I was taking a break from a hefty one and thought that this one would fit the bill nicely after seeing the author's Beyond the Station Lies the Sea at work. Plus the cover for this one and the illustrations inside twisted my arm a bit.
The premise was interesting and the book is quite good at describing some of those darker, more haunting aspects of childhood where being a kid and seeing into a different world (i.e. grown-up land) starts you off into some of those philosophical musings. But it didn't feel like much of a book for younger audiences. Plus, the story really didn't stick with me. To each their own, I guess.
I like to imagine Saturday Night Live's Deiter character in the guise of a kid really enjoying this book.
The premise was interesting and the book is quite good at describing some of those darker, more haunting aspects of childhood where being a kid and seeing into a different world (i.e. grown-up land) starts you off into some of those philosophical musings. But it didn't feel like much of a book for younger audiences. Plus, the story really didn't stick with me. To each their own, I guess.
I like to imagine Saturday Night Live's Deiter character in the guise of a kid really enjoying this book.
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