Three to Get Ready

by Betty D. Boegehold, Mary Chalmers (Illustrator)

The charm of the book lies in its old-fashioned, full-fashioned illustrations of a talking cat and her kittens supplied with clothes and toys and furniture. It is often attempted in picture books but seldom comes off so well. The secret lies in the illustrator's hands because she can make the kittens look realistically boneless, balmy, wise or angry as the four simple stories demand. The first concerns George, who had to be wooed back from a jealous snit. The second concerns Gigi, who bollixed up their three month old birthday party through a spasm of selfishness. The third follows Ginger who left to see the world when told to stay in the yard and the fourth shows a mother-guided trip through their world for all three kittens. Gently sermonizing, simply worded.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

64 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the 'I Can Read' series. Unlike the beginner reader books I have seen in school today, this series has plenty of variety of subject matter and good content and illustrations.

This book focusses on a mother cat and her three kittens, following their interactions through play, resolving conflicts and adventure. The mother cat helps the kittens resolve their problems in a kind and helpful way. The book is divided into short chapters and the illustrations are lovely, in olive green, brown and dusky pink they look typical of this era.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boegehold’s and Chalmers’ easy reader describes the everyday lifestyles of three cat siblings and their cat mother. Their stories are told textually alongside pencil and watercolor illustrations that are somehow simultaneously realistic and anthropomorphic. This is great for the child interested in cats, great for the child wanting to learn how to read. Though from a different era, this book still remains relevant through the struggles the siblings must resolve—to which any child with siblings can relate. Both explorative and calm, this easy reader makes for an enjoyable read. Great for grades 1-3.

Review cross-listed here!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book has delighted my grandchildren for years! I used to read it as a bedtime story when we would have sleepovers and even the oldest grandchildren still want me to read it to them when we have sleepovers.

[Beverlee Jobrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet.

[Xinxin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of Three to Get Ready, Hardcover, 64 pages, includes 4 sweet stories of Mom cat and her three kittens. Published June 1st 1969 by Harper Collins Publishers, written by Betty D. Boegehold, this book is one of my son’s favorite book when he was a toddle boy.
Mom cat has three kittens, Ginger, Gorge and Gigi. All three of kittens are about three months old, all of them talk and act just like our toddles, and each of them has different personalities and characters just like human beings too. Three kittens live with their Mon Cat who are always sweet and gentle to them, and always are very patient to deal with the troubles they made and teach them always to be good kittens, just like any good mother in the world. The four stories are the Gorge Goes Away Forever, Finder Weeper, the World outside the Door, and To See the World with Mom respectively, all of them are about the cat’s family’s daily life, and all of them are sweet and perfect as bedtime story to toddles.
The author Betty Doyle Boegehold who passed away in 1985, has many books for children including the Pippa Mouse series and the Golden Books ''You Can Say 'No' '' and ''Daddy Doesn't Live Here Anymore.'' Her books are good at teaching children living lessons and passing value to them. This book of Three to Get Ready is my favorite bedtime book, even though it is not carried in most of the book stores today.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful "An I Can Read Book" it was a favorite of mine when I was learning to read and read it to my children and now sharing with my grandbaby!

If your child likes cats they'll love this book! It is a chapter book and each chapter you get to know each kitten, George, Ginger and Gigi. And the naughty things they end up doing but Momma Cat is always there to comfort them and tell them it's okay. at the end Momma takes them out into the wide world to explore and have fun.

[Heather Parrish · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 sweet stories about a momma cat and her 3 kittens. Currently, my son's favorite bedtime story.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A variety of cute kitten stories with good morals.

(My used copy is stamped: High School Library Klickitat, Washington.)