Winter Cats

July 1, 2019
Willy is an indoor cat, but outside looks enticing. Willy's mom says indoors is cozier (and it sure looks that way, with a fire in the wood stove and a grandfather clock ticking away). " 'Those outdoor cats are weird and wild-- / they're not like us.' said Dad. / But Willy wondered while he watched. / I bet they're not so bad." The little gray-striped black puss ventures out and sees the outdoor cats engaged in their Winter Carnival. A yellow tabby sees that Willy is new and invites him to try sledding, and the two of them speed down the hill. With a few more friends, they hang from icicles, build snow cats, make angels, and skate. "Too soon the sun was setting. / Willy said, 'I have to go!' / He added, 'Come along with me, / I live indoors, you know.' " Once inside, the kittens play and have cookies and milk...and from then on visit every day. Lawler's playful winter tale conveys a perhaps not-so-subtle message of acceptance of the differences of others; still, it will fit nicely into many storytimes with its bouncy rhyme and Everykitten characters. Smietanka's smiling, anthropomorphic cartoon cats of various colors live as humans, and readers may well wonder how Willy's family manages never to leave its suburban-style house--but it is a bright and cheery one. Feline aficionados (and others) will not be left cold. (Picture book. 2-7)

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January 24, 2020

PreS-Gr 1-Willy, an indoor cat, longs to see the outside world. Willy's family feels that the indoor life is much warmer and cozier than the outside world. "Those outdoor cats are weird and wild-they're not like us," Willy's father says from the comfort of his upholstered armchair while the fire blazes. Willy wonders and watches and eventually cannot suppress his excitement any longer and ventures out into the cold winter day. Willy puts on a winter hat and gloves to cover some of his black and gray fur and meets up with a variety of kittens of all different colors and breeds. They welcome him without hesitation and invite him to play in their games. They sled, ice-skate, hang from icicles, and build snowcats, all while having a grand old time. Once Willy realizes that it is getting dark and he must return home, he brings his friends along with him. At first, his parents are hesitant but then realize that maybe this isn't so bad after all, and from that day forward the indoor and outdoor cats "meet nearly every day." Colorful, collage-like illustrations nicely complement the bright tone of the book. VERDICT Recommended for general purchase for any picture book collection, as its rhyming text makes this a strong read aloud with a solid lesson. -Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country Public Library, NY

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