Gracie the Lighthouse Cat

February 1, 2011

K-Gr 2-Gracie, a cat whose home is in a lighthouse, relaxes alongside her little kitten while in the background Grace, the lighthouse keeper's daughter, spots a ship in trouble on the rocks. The two stories about bravery during a raging storm in 1838 unfold simultaneously. Gracie's story is described in the text, while the human drama is portrayed primarily in the artwork. Attractive, painterly renditions of the treacherous sea as well as the emotional features on the faces of the animals will draw children into the suspenseful tale. Sentences are short and function ostensibly to move the action along. It is the artwork that adds additional meaning to the event. Endpapers introduce the historical setting and conclude with an afterword. Cat lovers will remember this event after the first reading and will be able to retell the story just by following the pictures.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.