Stretchy McHandsome

by Judy Schachner

A handsome and totally fetching street cat with a penchant for trouble stars in the new picture book by Judy Schachner, creator of the inimitable, irrepressible Skippyjon Jones

Stretchy McHandsome is not only good looking with his ginger fur, but he has personality that shines as well. Leaving the safety of the McHandsome clan, he stretches himself away from home and all around town. Out and about, he is spotted by a girl with a kindred spirit, who makes him realize the one thing missing from his life is the warm lap of a loving person. How this gadabout finds his true girl makes for a story that is a little bit wild, but a whole lot wonderful.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 8, 2019

About the author

Judith Byron "Judy" Schachner is an American children's writer and illustrator. Her works include the Skippyjon Jones series. Schachner lives in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bob, and a dog and her two Siamese cats.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover caught my eye at the Library. I love the picture of Stretchy McHandsome (aka butterscotch boy) with his heart shaped nose. This is a fun rhyming book about cats with lovely illustrations.

[Katie T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute children's book with lovely illustrations. Very wholesome, cat and animal lovers will love it.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a cat person, so cat books have to be pretty special for me to like them. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Stretchy McHandsome. It's actually a sweet rhyming story about a cat finding the one person who "gets" him.

Stretchy lives with his eight siblings in a cardboard box. One day, he decides to venture out on his own. He has a number of adventures (some more exciting than others) and eventually runs into a little girl who's a lot like him in some ways. Meanwhile, the other cats, missing their brother, head out in search of him, encountering many of the same people and adventures as Stretchy. It all wraps up in a sweet little ending that I won't spoil for you.

Rhyming picture books are usually hit-or-miss for me. The meter in this one isn't great, but it's not completely terrible, either (i.e., it could be read aloud without too much awkwardness). The story is simple and cute, but it's really the illustrations that are the star here. The cats are all unique and full of personality, and the little girl is adorable.

Overall, this is a charming picture book. I'd recommend it to readers looking for stories about finding your people (or cats, as the case may be), and those who love cats... although, that's not a prerequisite for enjoyment.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big shout out to the ever helpful Ali the Librarian who keeps shoving books about cats at me!

This was a delightful story about the most adorable butterscotch cat finding a forever home, not only for himself but for all his brothers and sisters as well. Stretchy reminds of my own best friend, Squash (the best ginger cat ever made), who passed while he was curled up on my chest. Buddy, I still miss you every day. Every. Single. Day.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story about an orange cat with a bunch of siblings who sets out on adventure and finds a little girl as unique as he is leading to a new home for him and the other cats. Having two orange cats, I very much appreciated this!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judy Schachner captivates with her illustrations and is so fun to read aloud. My son who is now a teenager loved the SkippyJon Jones books as a wee one and I was delighted to come across this. We recently lost a cat we adored who looks very much like Stretchy McHandsome and we both found a measure of healing in reading this story of a cat and his family of strays finding loving homes.

[Abby Johnson]

New from the author of Skippyjon Jones is a nonsensical rhyming picture book about a cat who strikes out on his own, has adventures around town, and meets a like-minded girl. I'm sure some kids will find it funny. The zany rhymes reminded me of Dr. Seuss. Meh.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, if only this had been release 6 weeks ago. Love, love, love. It is shorter than Skippy, but has great Sierra/Seuss type rhymes. The pictures are great. And who doesn't own a pet that you don't give cute names to. Stretchy is one of 9 feral cats who goes off to find his own, and discovers Beanie McBright, the perfect girl for him. Beanie is also one of 9 siblings and the family adopts all the cats

[Alicia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stretchy McHandsome is a special cat with several siblings who decides to go out into the world. We see him travel and explore before finding a perfect friend. The book is sweet, touching, and has humor sprinkled throughout. The illustrations also have many details where things are implied, so there's lots to do here. Adorable.

For: cat fans; readers looking for a book about finding your perfect pet.

Possible red flags: running away; separation from family; finding ones place; bugs.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the sweetest pictures books I have read in a while. What starts out as the cutest story of a band of misfit stray cat siblings becomes a story about belonging and family. Such a sweet story. The rhyming and beautiful artwork would make it a great read-aloud for little ones.

[whataslacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun picture book for any cat lover. Stretchy is "pawsum" but you will fall in love with the whole McHandsome clan.

Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the DRC for my honest opinion.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS SO STINKING CUTE!! I picked it up entirely because my favorite ginger cat, Arnold, is very handsome and loves to stretch.

[Cloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT. THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF YOUNG READER PICTURE BOOK YOU WANT TO READ.

Stretchy McHandsome is a ginger boi and goes on an adventure. This is the right kind of book, I was so pleasantly surprised with it.

BABY LOVED IT. It has the phrase "STINKY SARDINE" and she runs around the house yelling that. I may have to buy this book so we can keep it forever. The art is super cute too.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Are people out of their EVER-LOVIN' minds?! 4 stars? 5 STARS?! Nope. Nope. Nope. All y'all get nopes!

Sure the illustrations are SUPER CUTE. That is not worth 4 stars, let alone 5 stars. This is FAR too long of a book, as most of Schachner's works are. Sorry, but it's true.

Also, the rhymes; let's talk about the rhymes, and how this just does NOT flow. People, did you try to read any portion of this aloud? It's quite bad. Schachner's editors should have pruned her DOWN. She uses beautiful language that does NOT flow. The scheme is OFF. Quite off. It's bad. It does not SCAN.

Then there is the fact of the story line, and the fanciful fact that a clowder of feral cats is parading into an elderly lady's house and making wishes on a cupcake? Not to mention that a little girl is taming a feral cat instantly and trading necklace tokens with him and doing yoga with him? Hmm, PEOPLE?! Are we abandoning ALL SENSE here merely because a book is PRECIOUS?!

If that is the case, then bloody well, carry on your merry cray-cray way. Enjoy the pretty kitties and your 5 star reviews. I will have no part of this nonsense; I have nonsense enough waiting for me at home with 2 cats who try to convince me that life would be more splendid if I would only let them have free range of the entire house (including tables and countertops). Nonsense, indeed.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stretchy McHandsome by Judy Schachner PICTURE BOOK Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2019. $18. 9780803741218

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Stretchy McHandsome is the butterscotch colored brother in a family of nine cats. One day he's had enough of "too many siblings" so he ventures into town, experiencing a fountain, leaving scratch marks on a tree, visiting a tiger in the zoo, and stretching out to get some sun in a bookstore window. While in the window, he is spotted by a little girl who is smitten! She takes him home, but - what happens when his cat family starts to miss him?

Super cute whimsical illustrations highlight this darling story. His 2 colored eyes, expressions, his heart-shaped nose, I want this kitty, too! The poetry reminded me of T.S. Elliot's "Old Possums Book of Practical Cats". Cat lovers will adore this.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Stefanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would've been three stars if it didn't say "here's the kicker, now don't flip your lids"

[Kaitlin Brame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stretchy, “the butterscotch boy”, is the cartoon kitten that you can see illustrated on the cover. In this adorable story, we follow Stretchy on his journey outside of the Mchandsome family box. Along the way he meets his human soul mate, Beanie. Judy Schanchner pushes the reader to come to the conclusion that Stretchy and Beanie were destined to find one another because of their similarities. Like Stretchy, Beanie is shown to have one blue eye and the other green. Beanie also has eight siblings, butterscotch colored hair, and stretches too! One of the reasons I picked this book was because of how recently it was published. I also have two stretchy butterscotch cats of my own. This book is recommended to cat lovers and even cat haters. By the end of this book, I think just about anyone will just die for this fictional kitten!

Considering Judy Schachner's artistry in this book, it seems only fitting to incorporate a lesson involving art as well. I think using their own imagination, it would be fun for students to create a miniature story book about either a pet they have or one they have completely made up. I think the freedom of choice on what their narration will look like and what animals they choose as their ‘pet’ would allow some pretty creative and fun stories that even Judy Schachner herself would enjoy. I would also suggest implementing the use of mixed media in the way that Judy Schachner does throughout all her books. She uses layers of water colors, pencils, newspaper clippings, etc. This combination of art and literacy will expand their knowledge of art and enhance their writing abilities.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Dial Books and Edelweiss+ for giving me this opportunity to read this DRC.

While I read this all I kept thinking about was my mother-in-law and her love of cats. I know she had a cat just like Stretchy, but hers was named Pumpkin and my husband had a cat just like that, named Gingerbread. Reading this book reminded me of their stories of their much loved cats from years ago.

I believe cat lovers would adore this book. It would make a perfect gift for cat lovers young and old. It would appeal to any animal lover!

This story is quirky, funny and I loved the different cats in the McHandsome clan. And what a name for a clan also! It made me giggle. My kids enjoyed this story. I think it’s fun how Stretchy leaves his clan and goes on an adventure then he finds his “person”. The ending is super cute also. 😄

[Staciel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I am not a cat person. At. All.

My little favorite indie bookstore delights in this book and knows that I like good picture books. So, right after it came out I read it. And I enjoyed it in-store and left with a different book.

As I said, not a cat person, so why would I need a cat picture book when my kids are beyond them?

Well, as it turns out, I'm spending some time reading with a little girl who utterly adores cats. And I realized that I own a ton of picture books, but not one that has a cat for a main character.

So, back to the little indie bookstore that could, and I came home with Stretchy. I read the book again and enjoyed it.

Stretchy can lounge on my shelf for as long as he likes. I've put him right next to several of my favorite dog picture books. So far things are going just fine between them.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stretchy McHandsome is the butterscotch colored brother in a family of nine cats. One day he's had enough of "too many siblings" so he ventures into town, experiencing a fountain, leaving scratch marks on a tree, visiting a tiger in the zoo, and stretching out to get some sun in a bookstore window. While in the window, he is spotted by a little girl who is smitten! She takes him home, but - what happens when his cat family starts to miss him?

Super cute whimsical illustrations highlight this darling story. His 2 colored eyes, expressions, his heart-shaped nose, I want this kitty, too! The poetry reminded me of T.S. Elliot's "Old Possums Book of Practical Cats". Cat lovers will adore this.

For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3+ rounded up.

I'll admit, this title is pretty similar to nicknames for my own cat. It might have be a factor in why I bought this for the library. The fact that it's a new book from Skippy John Jones creator is another. Stretchy is one of a family of 9 kitties who sets out into town to find space of his own. He finds a girl after his own heart (at a bookstore of all places!). While the rhyme scheme isn't my favorite and feels a bit forced in places, the illustrations are adorable. It's a little long for my toddler crowd, but I'd pull it out for a storytime on cats or friends or family with my older storytime group. It'd be a fun lead into some group stretching activities too, a chance to stretch and move and get some wiggles out.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great pictures, fun to read outloud mainly because of the rhythm/meter of the story. Kind of a confusing plot for kids to follow though with the way it's written, but I read mostly to preschoolers. I generally dislike this author, but didn't notice it was her until I looked on the inside back jacket much later, wondering if the author was Irish or something. Could be, but I think she probably was just watching Outlander when she came up with the story. Come on, the names, the kilt, the shamrocks, "lass"? Too many coincidences to not be the cat version of Jamie Fraser. Pretty clear this author needs some other culture to riff off of for her books, so I'm not surprised, honestly.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat lovers should run to read this adorable story from the creator of Skippyjon Jones! I am not a cat person, but the book is so charming and the names of the cats within the story are so adorable that I had to share it with my students. I believe the author must be a cat loving person as the movements of the cats are so real and perfect that I could see it in my heads as well as in the illustrations. I am pleased that I found and read it in March as their is certainly an Irish feel to the story, specifically the names of all the characters, human and feline. Great addition to a picture book collection!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I think Stretchy McHandsome just stole my heart and won the honor of being my favorite picture book of the year. Stretchy the butterscotch boy is one of nine cats in the McHandsome clan-- the youngest, in fact! He sets off on a vacation from his loving but crowded home, and that's only the beginning. My favorite thing of all is how the illustrations truly capture the physics-defying reality of how cats seem to occupy their bodies. He stretches, melts, curls, and makes all the shapes a cat can make. Stretchy McHandsome (and his whole family) will charm your socks off!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was exploring Libby and this came up. How could I not read it? Stretchy McHandsome. What a name.

It’s a cute story with some cute rhymes and only a couple quibbles on my part. Plus, you have the option of listening to the author narrate the book! Wonderful.

The only downside was that I listened/read on my phone, which is small enough in the first place, but it also wouldn’t rotate and only showed spreads. So the whole opened book appeared about two inches wide. But the narration made up for it, and the illustrations were bold and fun enough to make out all right.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stretchy was a butterscotch kitten with eight siblings and they all lived together in cardboard box. Stretchy was the youngest so he often found himself at the bottom of the pile. One day he decided to go exploring and ended up sunning himself in a bookstore window where he was spotted by a little girl named Beanie McBright who took him home. When Stretchy's brothers and sister started to worry about him they went to find him and they did. They liked what they saw and moved their box to Stretchy's new home where Beanie just happened to have eight siblings, so one for everyone.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun rhyme scheme and charming illustrations tell the tale of the youngest of nine feral cats who sets out to explore beyond his cardboard box home. He meets a young girl who is stretchy like him and they bond. The brother and sister cats set out to find him, and in a cute ending, are adopted by the nine human siblings.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly, bouncily-rhyming work by the author of the problematic Skippy-jon Jones books, Stretchy McHandsome is a fairly successful attempt to be more conscious, celebrating two diverse and happy families (one of cats, one of kids). The pacing of some of the rhyming stanzas is better than others. Endearing pictures.

Themes: Cats, Families, Adoption

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations and interesting names of the cats and the humans. I quite enjoyed their names. It's a cute story following the butterscotch cat around and how he came to find home with a human girl. And then how Stretchy's family decided to move to her backyard and discovered there were more humans, one for each cat.