Maya & Cat

by Caroline Magerl

Maya and Cat is an inspiring picture book about friendship and resilience from one of Australia’s most renowned author–illustrators.

On a roof, as wet as a seal, as grey as a puddle, Cat was rumbling, a rumbly purr. What does Cat want most? Feather boas? Pretty pink shoelaces? A boatful of fish under a tiny tin sail – or perhaps something much more valuable? Affectionate and evocative, Maya and Cat follows a child’s kindly impulse to an unexpected conclusion.

Caroline Magerl is a renowned author/illustrator whose stunning artwork has been exhibited widely overseas and in Australia.
This is an inspiring picture book about friendship, resilience and problem-solving.
The perfect book for preschool-aged children who love being read to, and the parents, grandparents and teachers who love sharing stories with the children in their care.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 7, 2019

About the author

Caroline Magerl was born in a small German town near Frankfurt and came to Australia when she was two. Soon after, in a suburban Sydney backyard, her parents built a yacht which became a home and way of life. Until Caroline was fourteen, the family sailed the east coast of Australia. At sixteen, Caroline joined another yacht, crossing the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. After the return voyage she worked as a cook, painting in her spare time. Caroline now works as an artist, illustrator and printmaker and received an ASA children's picture book illustrators' grant to work on Hasel and Rose. She has exhibited widely overseas and in Australia.

Reviews

[Julie]

My review of this book will appear on the CBCA's Reading Time web site in coming weeks. readingtime.com.au

[Alison Stegert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegant, whimsical and sweet—Caroline Magerl achieves the trifecta of picture book perfection through a simple story with her lush illustrations.

The story - Maya finds Cat. Or perhaps Cat finds Maya. They share a quietly quirky adventure that seems fated to end sadly.

The art - Gorgeous watercolour and pen drawings convey movement, emotion and potentiality. For me, there are faint echoes of Sendak but with more whimsy and elegance and a brighter palette.

In sum, it’s a joy to read and a treasure to hold.

[Shaynning - Libraire Jeunesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Petite nouveauté 2021, Maya et Mine , c'est essentiellement l'histoire d'une petite fille qui aide une chatte à retrouver son foyer. Elle la découvre un soir, solitaire sur un toit, parvient à l'amadouer, puis la trimballe dans le panier de son vélo à la recherche de sa famille. Maya fini par suivre les directives du chat, qui la mène sur les berges. Sur une maison-bateau se trouve un couple et c'est eux qui hébergent la chatte. En guise de remerciement, la chatte offre l'un de ses chatons à Maya, qui supporte difficilement la vie sur le bateau en raison de son mal de mer.

Une histoire simple, avec un style graphique un peu chaotique et une palette de couleur en aquarelle dominée par les gris et les oranges.

On pourrait dire que la morale de cette histoire est que la confiance , ça se gagne et que l'aide est souvent récompensée. On pourrait aussi dire que rien n'est plus précieux que son chez-soi, là où se trouve nos proches.

Personnellement, je ne suis pas emballé par le graphisme et l'histoire, sans être mauvaise, ne m'interpelle pas plus que ça, mais ce sont là des considérations propres à moi.

Catégorisation: Album jeunesse, Littérature jeunesse préscolaire, 4-5 ans
Note: 6/10

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so in love with Maya and Cat. Imagined out of the end of the magnificent Caroline Magerl's brush, these two unassuming characters will steal your heart then replace it with something altogether superior. Maya's discovery of Cat one colourless wet day soon trickles into a friendship which pools into a quiet mutual understanding that sets Maya on a determined quest - to find Cat's home. Cat follows politely behind her eventually guiding Maya to her usual abode and an afternoon of teacakes.

The heartwarming twist at the end reveals Cat's reason for wandering the slick wet city streets in search of sardines and marks the beginning of another new friendship for Maya. Touching, affecting and churning with the electric type of change thunderstorms can bring, this story's heart beats loud and strong in the most genteel way.

On a tactile note, the thick glossy pages and swirling use of watercolours spilling over their ink outlines like puddles in a storm make reading this book a pure joy. Definitely one for curling up with on a rainy day or night.

[Mary Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a very wet day when Maya sees Cat perched high on a rooftop, as wet as a seal. Cat won't come down until Maya manages to coax her with a tin of fish. One of the windows must be Cats' home, so Maya leads her on a journey to find the person who belongs to her. Cat follows politely, but in the end, it is Cat who leads Maya to a home with a surprise waiting just for her.
With poetic description as painterly as the pictures, this is a peaceful, kind story of caring, friendship and persistence; of being lost and being found; of adventure with a very happy ending. All in all, an affectionate, playful, cosy adventure to curl up with and read over and over and over.... I just love it.

[Mere · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl Maya meets a lost cat and befriends it.

Maya helps her new friend to find her way home. When they did find the owners and returned the cat.

I love the illustrations of this story.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Animal lovers will delight in this lovely story about a lost cat. Beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming ending.

[Freddie D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cat rescue mission with a happy twist at the end! I adored this book.

[Row · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the cat got saved, they got to their home.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

The youngest member of the household is going through a cat phase so I was not surprised to see this picture book come home from the library.

This is a very sweet story about the impulse to help others. Good choice, child-of-mine. <3

[Sindy Naidu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story about a girl and a cat. There is nothing more to say.