Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Book Review: "Where Is Catkin?" Written by Janet Lord, Illustrated by Julie Paschkis

"This is a beautiful and
delightful book!"


"The word catkin is a calque from the Dutch katteken, meaning "kitten", on account of the resemblance to a kitten's tail.[1]"  (taken from Catkin-Wikipedia, you can see more definitions and photos here)



If you have ever observed a cat outdoors, you were certain to see them forever chasing the "elusive butterfly", the flitting fly, galloping grasshopper, cavorting cricket or whatever has recently struck their fancy.


The outcome in most of these scenarios? The cat gets within a paw's reach of the tempting object, the object of desire manages to escape, leaving the cat with a bewildered look, frustrated and empty-pawed.

For cats it is all about the "hunt". From the Publisher: "When Catkin jumps off Amy's lap for an afternoon of hunting, his adventurous nature eventually turns into trouble!"

"When Catkin hears a rustling by the tree, he finds himself in a tough spot by climbing up to the highest branch to investigate. It's a long, long way back down to the ground. Now who will hear Catkin and rescue him?"





Where Is Catkin? is a "seek-and-find story of a cat whose curiosity lands him in a tough spot."
"Mom, what will happen to Catkin?"



In Where Is Catkin? Author Janet Lord has created a charming game of the above, replete with  bold and vibrantly colored illustrations created by her sister, Julie Paschkis, (virtually every page of this charming book is illustrated in a pallet of orange, blue, yellow, green, teal, black, brown and gray, using "patterns and shapes found in nature") which are sure to delight both children and adults alike.

Where Is Catkin? is the perfect book for teachers and parents alike to  engage  children in a discussion asking the questions:  "Where did all of the creatures that Catkin is trying to hunt escape to?" and "Can you find them in this picture?"


Where Is Catkin? is geared towards children ages 2-6 who are sure to enjoy joining Catkin on his cheerily illustrated adventure!

"I loved this book Mom,
will you please read it to me again?"


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Janet Lord earned her B.A. in graphic arts and advertising from Concord University and now works as a graphic designer. She also wrote Here Comes Grandma! and Albert the Fix-It Man, both illustrated by her sister Julie Paschkis. She lives in North Wales, Pennsylvania.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Julie Paschkis attended Cornell University and the School for American Craftsmen at RIT, where earned a B.F.A. A former elementary school art teacher, Paschkis now works full-time painting, creating, commercial illustrations, and illustrating children's books. Some of her books include Yellow Elephant:A Bright Bestiary; Through Georgia's Eyes; Happy Adoption Day and Albert the Fix-It Man. She lives in Seattle, Washington.



  • Hardcover: $16.95
  • ISBN: 978-1-56145-523-2
  • Total Pages: 32
  • Size: 8 1/2 x 11
  • Language: English


25 comments:

  1. Woof! Woof! Will defnitely let our teacher friends that loves n owns a cat. YES, the illustration looks great. Golden Thanks for the review. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  2. Thanks for the review. I love the artwork in that book..... Beautiful.

    pawhugs, Max

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  3. @Sugar thank you so much! I like how you love doggies but you still want to let your cat loving friends know about wonderful cat items! I have a family member who loves dogs that says "please don't give me books about cats" What's up with that??? ((((hugs))))

    @Max since you are an artist you truly appreciate the artwork in this book. It is just beautiful! ((((hugs)))) back

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  4. Great artwork !!! but Cody, Don't you feel hungry when you read this book ?
    "elusive butterfly", the flitting fly, galloping grasshopper, cavorting cricket " That's lots of yummy crunchy snacks , my friend : )
    xoxo

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  5. Hi Puddy! You know what? I never thought of it like that before. Now that you mention it...I DO hear my stomach grumbling! xoxoxo

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  6. The illustrations here are lovely - they're what's catching me and Charlie's eyes!! Wow!!!

    Thanks for the intro and review of this beautiful book Cody and Caren! Take care
    x

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  7. O mai, dis book looks faboolus! Such bootifulz illustrayshunz, plus "tailz" (heehee!) uv outdoor advenchoorz? Dat soundz pawsitivleez purrfect... :)

    Cody, I hope u make ur mom read dis to u ebby nite... it can be wun uv ur ritualz... ('n u noes how we catz are about our ritualz!). xoxo

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  8. Sounds like a delightful children's book. Illustrations are pretty cool too.

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  9. What a great review! Yes please! Let's read it again!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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  10. Catkin. love it! I'll be calling my loved ones that now. And it looks like your cat stayed awake for the whole book. That is the best recomendation right there.

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  11. @Old Kitty the illustrations are superb, I must say those were my favorite part of the book! Guess what? My husband and I just returned from walking to the Post Office and back. It is a beautiful day here and it is approx a mile and a half away. We went there to mail the book that you won! It probably will take a while to get to you in the UK cause I sent it "Cheapie Express!" lol xoxoxo to you and Charlie!

    @GlamKitty that would be a good idea to read it every night! Mommy won't though! lol Love, Cody

    @Tucker it is! :)

    @Mario the illustrations are superb!

    @Nellie awww thank you so much! Come over and my Mom will read it to you! Love, Cody

    @Sharon omg that IS a nickname for your loved ones! "Catkin!" Yep Cody stayed awake for the whole thing!

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  12. Great review! You sure find the coolest books!

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  13. @Brian you are too kind! I am blessed by the fact that they have been finding ME! I swear I should turn this blog into a cat book review blog! :)

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  14. We know all about those elusive flying things. The illustrations in this book are stunning and sure to charm cat lovers of all ages. Thanks for stopping by to see the teepee we won from you.

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  15. My step-daughter Crystal is teaching students in that age range - she loves to use books as an educational tool. This one looks stunning - the artwork is superb and sure to capture the hearts of the children, while teaching them at the same time! I will put this on my "gift list" for her! Thanks for the review! xoxo

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  16. That looks like a wonderful picture book. I'm always drawn to beautiful artwork and these illustrations hold a definite appeal!

    Pat
    www.critteralley.blogspot.com

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  17. @Cat Wisdom 101 ohhh yess we do! :) You are most welcome, I think you did an amazing job! So amazing in fact that I wanted to crawl into it!

    @Pat they most definitely do!

    @Amin you are welcome and thank you!

    @Deb Barnes that is a fabulous idea and I am sure Crystal will love it! It IS stunning! xoxo

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  18. Thanks for sharing about this book - the art work looks beautiful! We'll have to add this to our book list :) We have to say that after seeing your review of "No Dogs Allowed" our mom got that book for us and we all loved it so much she also got us the first book by Anne Davis, "Buddy and Gabby" and it was pawsome! Great art work and fun story.

    Purrs,
    Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie

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  19. Cara n Crew you are most welcome! The art work is just wonderful! OMC I am soooooooo happy that you bought a book based on my review and the most important part is that you liked it as much as I did! I am so happy to hear that and thank you! Thank you so much! That REALLY made my day! (((((hugs))))

    @Scrappy Grams they are!

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  20. Oh my gosh, those pictures are adorable!!!

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  21. @CRichman the book or Cody? OR BOTH? lol!! I think they BOTH are adorable! xoxoxox

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  22. Oh Cody, you are such a cutie! That book looks beautiful!

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