Push Kitty

by Jan Wahl, Garth Williams (Illustrator)

Harper & Row, 1968. Hardcover in DJ with mylar covering.

Genres: Cats

31 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1968

About the author

Jan Wahl was an American author best known for his imaginative and influential children’s books, which combined wit, warmth and a deep respect for young readers. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Wahl showed artistic promise early, performing piano on children’s radio programs and appearing on stage alongside legendary magician Harry Blackstone Sr. He studied at Cornell University, where he took classes with Vladimir Nabokov, and continued his education in Europe as a Fulbright scholar before completing graduate studies in the United States.
Wahl began publishing children’s books in the mid-1960s and quickly became a prolific and celebrated voice in the field, ultimately writing more than 120 works. Titles such as Pleasant Fieldmouse, The Furious Flycycle and Humphrey’s Bear earned him a devoted readership and critical acclaim. His stories were frequently illustrated by major artists, including Edward Gorey, Maurice Sendak and Mercer Mayer, and were praised for their playful tone, emotional intelligence and sense of empowerment.
Beyond writing, Wahl led an unusually rich cultural life, working with filmmakers, writers and artists, lecturing widely on film history and literature, and maintaining close ties to both the literary and cinematic worlds.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not one of Garth Williams' most famous books, but a favorite of mine. His illustrations are the perfect counterpoint to Jan Wahl's tongue-in-cheek little-girl narration of mothering her pet. The expressions of disgust, irritation and embarrassment on the face of the cat, dressed up in baby clothes and penned into a perambulator, will bring a smile to the face of anyone, even - maybe even especially - to cat haters.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Garth Williams illustrations alone are worth five stars. If I was rating those without the story there would be no question of the rating. This is the first book I'd read with his illustrations. The only other time I've seen his name or "his" illustrations was with Laura Ingalls Wilder's My First Little House books. Williams' illustrations really are exquisite.
The story is a simple one, about a little girl who dresses her kitty up in doll clothes. You have to feel bad for the poor cat, trying to crawl away, with his mad little face, etc.
The little girl takes her kitty out in the stroller, just as if he's her child. There really isn't much to it at all, hence the average rating.

[Cookiesue9x · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my middle daughters favorite books. I belive the pictures were by Garth Williams, I remember the pictures but not the story except I think it was something about a little girl pushing a kitty in a stroller