¡Ven, gatita, ven!/ Here, Kitty, Kitty!
Reviewed by Ann Welton, Grant Center for the Expressive Arts, Tacoma, WA -- Críticas, 8/15/2008
Mora, Pat.
tr. by author. illus. by Maribel Suárez. U.S.: Rayo: HarperCollins (My Family/Mi familia). 2008. unpaged. ISBN 978-0-06-085044-9. $14.99.
PreS-Gr 1–The third title in this series presents a warm and simple story in peppy and equally engaging English and Spanish texts. Two pigtailed sisters and their little brother, all appearing to be of preschool age, have a great time playing with a kitten that likes very much to hide. Under tables and beds, behind curtains and the sofa, in the closet, inside the dolly’s crib, and—alas!—in a flowerpot that shatters! Each time she hides, little brother Danny calls, “Here, kitty, kitty! ¡Ven, gatita, ven!” But how to affect an approach when she runs away every time? Turns out that sitting quietly and patiently works, and at last our little narrator gets to stroke her “amiga dulce.” Suarez’s simple watercolor, cartoonlike illustrations match the text beautifully, with blocks of strong color and a wealth of expression created with a few well-placed lines. Preschool and early elementary children will enjoy the story, which would integrate well with either lessons on prepositions of location—under, over, behind, inside—or beginning Spanish or English instruction. A solid choice for school or home use, especially where little ones have cats in the house.
View All Blogs
