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Clarence the Copy Cat
Clarence has finally found a home in the town library, but will he be ousted when the librarian discovers his uselessness as a mouser?
Clarence may be a cat, but he’s a peace-loving cat–definitely not a mouser. This gets him evicted from his parents’ home at Sam’s Sandwich Shop. Sadly, other storekeepers shoo him away too, as soon as a dreaded m-o-u-s-e appears. Poor Clarence just can’t find a place without mice.
Dejected and tired, Clarence is feeling very sorry for himself when a kindly librarian takes him in. Clarence’s new home is grand–a public library filled with books. There’s even a whirring copy machine! Clarence loves to sit on top of it, earning him the name Copy Cat. For months, life is good. Very good . . . until the winter day when a you-know-what shows up. . . .
Clarence may be a cat, but he’s a peace-loving cat–definitely not a mouser. This gets him evicted from his parents’ home at Sam’s Sandwich Shop. Sadly, other storekeepers shoo him away too, as soon as a dreaded m-o-u-s-e appears. Poor Clarence just can’t find a place without mice.
Dejected and tired, Clarence is feeling very sorry for himself when a kindly librarian takes him in. Clarence’s new home is grand–a public library filled with books. There’s even a whirring copy machine! Clarence loves to sit on top of it, earning him the name Copy Cat. For months, life is good. Very good . . . until the winter day when a you-know-what shows up. . . .
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2002
111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 4, 2017
Clarence is a soft-hearted cat - he doesn't like to catch and kill mice. He has trouble finding a place to live after he loses his job at Sam's Sandwich Shop. Luckily, he gets taken in by a man who works in a wonderful place filled with books - a library. He finds a perch on the nice warm copy machine where he can see all the happy readers come and go. Things are going great, until . . . a mouse appears in the library.
This is a fun read, with a delightful twist, and terrific illustrations by John Manders.
This is a fun read, with a delightful twist, and terrific illustrations by John Manders.
November 10, 2009
Grades: 1st-4th
Creatively speaking, author Patricia Lakin creates a character that is memorable for what he doesn't do... a cat that is not a mouser! And the story is enjoyable; however, it is the art from John Manders that will grasp the attention of young readers. As in "The Perfect Nest" (also featuring a cat as its lead!) Manders captures facial expressions and uses body posturing effectively here. The settings are very detailed - the library, for example, seems pretty expansive in scope, and it's due to great attention to detail and use of space. Since this is a very action-oriented story, children should have little to no problems following along.
Language Arts/Biology
Lesson Ex: I would delve into the history of cat/mouse relationship, and connect that to biology by giving the kids a project to explore and answer this question: why do cats traditionally chase and eat mice?
Creatively speaking, author Patricia Lakin creates a character that is memorable for what he doesn't do... a cat that is not a mouser! And the story is enjoyable; however, it is the art from John Manders that will grasp the attention of young readers. As in "The Perfect Nest" (also featuring a cat as its lead!) Manders captures facial expressions and uses body posturing effectively here. The settings are very detailed - the library, for example, seems pretty expansive in scope, and it's due to great attention to detail and use of space. Since this is a very action-oriented story, children should have little to no problems following along.
Language Arts/Biology
Lesson Ex: I would delve into the history of cat/mouse relationship, and connect that to biology by giving the kids a project to explore and answer this question: why do cats traditionally chase and eat mice?
April 30, 2017
This was an unusual story about a cat who can't bring himself to kill mice and his quest to find a home where he isn't required to do so. Of course he moves into the library! But will he be allowed to stay? Very cute, with a unique solution to the cat's problem!
February 22, 2021
(review originally posted in 2012 on my blog ladyinreadwrites.com; reposted 2021)
What It Is
In short – a cat who will not hurt mice!
Clarence has super-mouser parents and when the restaurant owner finds out Clarence is a peace-loving cat, Clarence is no longer welcome there. As he tries to find a new home with no luck, an old librarian sees him and takes him in.
Clarence loves the library – it is warm, cozy, and best of all, he sees no mice. He makes the copy machine his spot earning him his moniker. All is well until – MICE show up – and his new friend wants him to be a cat. What is he to do? How can he avoid being homeless again? How can he, at the same time, get rid of the mice?
Our Thoughts
MY THOUGHTS
The book teaches sticking to your principles, non-violence, and friendship. The illustrations help the story flow along and I fell in love with the library depicted here.
MY LITTLE ONES’ THOUGHTS
They marveled at how clever Clarence is while wondering why he would not hurt the mice and loved that about him.
What It Is
In short – a cat who will not hurt mice!
Clarence has super-mouser parents and when the restaurant owner finds out Clarence is a peace-loving cat, Clarence is no longer welcome there. As he tries to find a new home with no luck, an old librarian sees him and takes him in.
Clarence loves the library – it is warm, cozy, and best of all, he sees no mice. He makes the copy machine his spot earning him his moniker. All is well until – MICE show up – and his new friend wants him to be a cat. What is he to do? How can he avoid being homeless again? How can he, at the same time, get rid of the mice?
Our Thoughts
MY THOUGHTS
The book teaches sticking to your principles, non-violence, and friendship. The illustrations help the story flow along and I fell in love with the library depicted here.
MY LITTLE ONES’ THOUGHTS
They marveled at how clever Clarence is while wondering why he would not hurt the mice and loved that about him.
August 25, 2022
This is a sweet book about a cat who has no desire to hunt mice, and this gets him kicked out of home after home. Finally, a kindly librarian takes him in, and Clarence is content at last--until--oh no!--a mouse shows up among the bookshelves. Will Clarence be forced to do the thing he still detests--eat a mouse--or will he be kicked out of yet another home? Or maybe a solution can be found that keeps everyone happy? Fans of cats and libraries in particular will be charmed by Clarence.
Humane families note: Animal-loving families will certainly relate to Clarence's desire not to hurt another living creature. Clarence's succession of owners before the librarian certainly demonstrate the wrong type of mentality--valuing a cat only for their ability to catch mice, and throwing them out on the street if they fail. This could be a starting point for discussion of responsible vs. irresponsible pet care.
Humane families note: Animal-loving families will certainly relate to Clarence's desire not to hurt another living creature. Clarence's succession of owners before the librarian certainly demonstrate the wrong type of mentality--valuing a cat only for their ability to catch mice, and throwing them out on the street if they fail. This could be a starting point for discussion of responsible vs. irresponsible pet care.
April 6, 2018
Such a wonderful book about a cat who's not your typical mouse-hunting cat. He just wants a place to call home, and he finally finds it in the library.
March 18, 2022
Y’all should know by now that I have a soft spot for cats… And libraries. This book combines both so, yeah, I’m gonna give it a good rating. It was a fun read.
June 26, 2024
23 month old wanted every cat picture book at the library. Pretty cute, but a bit long for 23 month old.
May 28, 2015
Booklist November 1, 2002 (Vol. 99, No. 5)
PreS-Gr. 2. Clarence is a nonviolent cat, which makes him tremendously unpopular with the clientele at Sam's Sandwich Shop after a mouse appears and Clarence refuses to lift a paw to catch it. Clarence is banished from the deli and, in a wonderful double-page spread, he's shown being similarly ejected from other shops for sticking to his principles. He finally finds a home in the library, where the copy machine becomes his favorite spot. Grandfatherly Mr. Spanner calls him Copy Cat. Then a mouse shows up, throwing a children's reading group into chaos, and Clarence is expected to do something about it. The attempts Clarence makes to get rid of the mouse without hurting it are both heroic and hysterical, and Manders'cartoon-style art catches all the action as the critters make a whirlwind of books, brooms, and paper. A well-plotted, action-packed, comically illustrated story.
Horn Book Guide Spring, 2003
Clarence the cat's peaceful ways make him an unpopular pet among the shopkeepers who want a good mouser. He finally finds a home in the library and claims the copy machine as his perch, but when a mouse appears, he worries that his time at the library is limited. Clarence's relationship with librarian Mr. Spanner is affecting, but the lighthearted illustrations outshine the overlong text.
School Library Journal October 1, 2002
Gr 1-3-Clarence is supposed to help catch the mice in the deli in which he lives with his parents. However, since he can't "bear to harm another living creature," he is banished from the store. He tries to find a home elsewhere, but is thrown out when the owners discover that he is no mouser. The feline slinks sadly down the street and wonders if he will ever find a home. He finally curls up by the door of the local library, where the librarian takes pity on him and invites him in. Clarence loves it there because he is kept "well read, well fed, and well petted," but especially because there are no mice. He sits on top of the copy machine so often that Mr. Spanner calls him Copy Cat. Then, one winter day a mouse shows up for storytime. Readers will sympathize with poor Clarence and root for him as he battles with the rodent and finds a solution to his problem. Manders's appealing, full-color illustrations are lively and full of fun. Tall and skinny Clarence has a black coat and bulging yellow eyes, and is particularly comical when he stuffs his face with cheese or sits primly on the copier. Children will laugh out loud as they follow his adventures.-Kristin de Lacoste, South Regional Public Library, Pembroke Pines, FL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
PreS-Gr. 2. Clarence is a nonviolent cat, which makes him tremendously unpopular with the clientele at Sam's Sandwich Shop after a mouse appears and Clarence refuses to lift a paw to catch it. Clarence is banished from the deli and, in a wonderful double-page spread, he's shown being similarly ejected from other shops for sticking to his principles. He finally finds a home in the library, where the copy machine becomes his favorite spot. Grandfatherly Mr. Spanner calls him Copy Cat. Then a mouse shows up, throwing a children's reading group into chaos, and Clarence is expected to do something about it. The attempts Clarence makes to get rid of the mouse without hurting it are both heroic and hysterical, and Manders'cartoon-style art catches all the action as the critters make a whirlwind of books, brooms, and paper. A well-plotted, action-packed, comically illustrated story.
Horn Book Guide Spring, 2003
Clarence the cat's peaceful ways make him an unpopular pet among the shopkeepers who want a good mouser. He finally finds a home in the library and claims the copy machine as his perch, but when a mouse appears, he worries that his time at the library is limited. Clarence's relationship with librarian Mr. Spanner is affecting, but the lighthearted illustrations outshine the overlong text.
School Library Journal October 1, 2002
Gr 1-3-Clarence is supposed to help catch the mice in the deli in which he lives with his parents. However, since he can't "bear to harm another living creature," he is banished from the store. He tries to find a home elsewhere, but is thrown out when the owners discover that he is no mouser. The feline slinks sadly down the street and wonders if he will ever find a home. He finally curls up by the door of the local library, where the librarian takes pity on him and invites him in. Clarence loves it there because he is kept "well read, well fed, and well petted," but especially because there are no mice. He sits on top of the copy machine so often that Mr. Spanner calls him Copy Cat. Then, one winter day a mouse shows up for storytime. Readers will sympathize with poor Clarence and root for him as he battles with the rodent and finds a solution to his problem. Manders's appealing, full-color illustrations are lively and full of fun. Tall and skinny Clarence has a black coat and bulging yellow eyes, and is particularly comical when he stuffs his face with cheese or sits primly on the copier. Children will laugh out loud as they follow his adventures.-Kristin de Lacoste, South Regional Public Library, Pembroke Pines, FL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2018
read by Kyann to Rylee
1/21/18 recording at Nanna and Poppa's
1/21/18 recording at Nanna and Poppa's
March 14, 2008
this book was VERY cute!! the story is about a little black cat who does not believe in killing mice, so he repeatedly gets kicked out of the places he is living for not being a mouser. he finally ends up in a library where there is not sign of mice. he loves it and tends to hang out on top of the copy machine, earning the nickname 'copy cat'. when a mouse appears he fears he will be given the boot yet again...inadvertently he chases the mouse away by hiding under the cover to the copy machine and accidentally photocopying himself...the paper falls in front of the mouse and scares him. the drawings are the best part of this story, making you very sad for the cat when he is made to leave his homes.
September 27, 2013
Not a huge cat fan but I was willing to give this one a try because I liked the cover. (I know don't judge a book by its cover) I hate mice, and that is one reason I can stand cats, is that they can take care of the mice problem! But, Clarence is not much of a mouse killer, and I don't even like to see the mouse dead in the trap, so I can understand reticence in being a mouse killer. But he finds his way to a library as the "Copy Cat" because he sits on the copy machine. He is a great library cat,but when a mouse invades the library....Copy Cat is called to action, and since he isn't much of an exterminator, he finds a way to deal with the mice. What I like about this book is, not everyone is good at the same thing, the goal is to find something you are good at and excel at it!
March 7, 2012
This is an interesting story about a cat who cannot bear to hunt and kill mice. He is turned out from home to home, considered useless as a mouser, but finds a place to call his own in a library. When the librarian discovers the mouse, Clarence is frightened that he will lose his idyllic home. An amusing accident solves his problem, and the story ends happily. The narrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are colorful and expresive. We really enjoyed reading this story together, although I must admit that since I love cats and libraries, I was pretty sure I'd really like it!
August 9, 2015
Cute premise; Clarence doesn't like to chase/eat mice, so he seeks out a place where he's not required to be a "mouser" - not a sandwich shop, diner, or general store, but the Barnstable Library. Clarence settles in and loves the "warm spots for snoozing"; life is good until, one day, a mouse comes in from the cold. Clarence sets out to solve the problem without having to eat the mouse! Part of my ongoing quest to read more children's picture books, this was part of my weekend take-home selection of books about libraries and reading.
June 15, 2016
Clarence the cat isn't like your average cat. He doesn't like to catch mice! So he is kicked out of the various places he tries to make 'home'.... finally a librarian takes him in and beging to be his friend. They are happy in the library and Clarence favorite spot is up on top of the copy machine because it's warm. BUT one day a mouse is found in the library! What's Clarence to do? Will he get to stay?
April 21, 2011
When Clarence is repeatedly kicked out for not chasing mice, he feels doomed to never have a home. When the local librarian takes him in, Clarence feels he has it made--until the mice make an appearance during storytime. Things look grim until Clarence's favorite perching spot saves the day.
A great book with a hidden message about being yourself.
A great book with a hidden message about being yourself.
May 15, 2013
Very sweet!
Release date: June 12, 2007 | Age Range: 3 - 7 years
Clarence may be a cat, but he's a peace-loving cat. Definitely not a mouser. So it's difficult for him to find a home—until a kindly librarian takes him in. Clarence loves living among the books of the public library. For months life is good. Very good . . . until the winter day when a you-know-what appears.
Release date: June 12, 2007 | Age Range: 3 - 7 years
Clarence may be a cat, but he's a peace-loving cat. Definitely not a mouser. So it's difficult for him to find a home—until a kindly librarian takes him in. Clarence loves living among the books of the public library. For months life is good. Very good . . . until the winter day when a you-know-what appears.
May 23, 2015
Everywhere Clarence goes he's expected to catch mice. But he doesn't want to do that. He doesn't want to hurt anyone. He thinks he's found the perfect home at the library...until a mouse shows up!! What will Clarence do? The pictures are full of color and fun to look at. The story is clever with a cute ending that left my daughter laughing.
January 23, 2016
It's the story of a pacifist cat just trying to find a place in this world. He comes upon a library and discovers that it's perfect for him. Perfect, that is, until a mouse shows up and the librarian wants him to catch and eat it! Whatever will Clarence do to keep his cushy home that he loves some much, but not violate his principles!
Funky and cute illustrations.
Funky and cute illustrations.
August 19, 2011
This was a cute book about a cat that is not a mouser. He remains true to who he is and finally finds a home that fits. My son was in fits of laughter about the copies that are made of the cat at the end of the story.
August 27, 2011
Actually, I was pretty disappointed in this one. It was on a national library list of great read-alouds but I don't see why. It starts out looking like it would be a pacifism book and then goes in a weird direction. I don't even think the kids liked it.
October 4, 2014
I was a little worried about Clarence for a while, but SO glad that everything turned out OK for him by the end of the book. It's true -- cats always land on their feet.
The illustrations for this very good book were also very good.
The illustrations for this very good book were also very good.
September 1, 2022
AR 2.9 -- 0.5 Difficult quiz
June 5, 2008
This was so cute! Might work for older kids in storytime.
October 13, 2008
Really cute book... kids from 3-8 will enjoy hearing (or reading) it! Some kids in their 40's will enjoy it too. Especially a librarian type!
January 5, 2009
fun and silly to read.
April 10, 2009
One of the cuterst books ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 1, 2009
Cute story here about a library cat that stuck by its no-mouse-killing principles and found a place where it felt welcome and needed.
September 11, 2009
Read this on a whim one day while sitting in the library - very very cute story with a great message for young children.
February 3, 2016
Could have been cuter. Great illustrations, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews