Catlantis

September 12, 2016
Translated from the Russian and set in modern-day Moscow, this compact, fable-like taleâclearly inspired by Plato's story of the lost island of Atlantisâtakes readers to an ancient utopia for the feline breed: Catlantis. The classic quest narrative mixes magical elements with quotidian realism: a ginger-colored cat named Baguette wants to marry the striped Purriana, but her great-great-grandmother, an oracle, commands him to carry out a heroic feat before he can do so. She tells the couple about the isle of Catlantis and their noble heritage, then sends Baguette on a dangerous journey back in time to retrieve the Catlantic flower that will restore nine lives to every cat. Filled with wordplay ("purrenade," "Pussiedon," "meowbra-catabra"), rivalries, and evil and endearing characters human and feline alike, this lighthearted love story/adventure never languishes; Klimowski's stark black-and-white drawings pair well with the graceful text. Moving steadily along to a cleverly surprising ending, the book is an appealing read for animal lovers of all ages. Ages 8â12.

Baguette knows he can travel in time, but can he save the nine lives of all of catkind?Ginger cat Baguette lives on the 12th floor with the Petrov family. Not long ago he traveled in time to rescue Polina from the Land of Good Girls. He is in love with stray cat Purriana, but in order to marry her, Baguette must complete a "lover's feat." Purriana takes him to see her great-great-grandmother, who is an oracle and a member of the Council of Six, the mystical ruling body of all cats. Great-great-grandmother tells Baguette of Catlantis, where ancient cats lived in paradise thanks to the god Pussiedon. Baguette must use the time-travel magic all pure ginger cats have to go back and retrieve a Catlantic flower and bestow nine lives on all modern cats--many cat powers having been lost in the cat-aclysms and cat-astrophy that destroyed Catlantis. Purriana has another suitor, black-magic-using Noir, who, like his black-furred progenitors, wants all the cat powers for himself. Journalist Starobinets, mostly known in Russia as a writer of horror and dystopian fiction for adults, has been compared to Philip K. Dick, Stephen King, and her countryman Gogol. Her first title for youngsters translated into English is a trippy, silly tale of cat magic, folklore, and love. (It is also a companion to an earlier book about Polina, a fact that may momentarily disorient readers.) Bugaeva's punny translation will make this a fine read-aloud. A must for those seeking culturally diverse literary experiences. (Fantasy. 7-12) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.