  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 01/01/2016 PreS-K—Jim the cat provides a tour of his cozy home. This orange tabby explores both his outdoor and indoor spaces with an active prowl; he perches comfortably in a tree, jumps to the rooftop, and springs to the ground as he explores his surroundings. Jim takes full ownership of his home with a mixture of catlike and human characteristics; he sits upright in his rocking chair when he views the living room but then freely walks across the counters in typical feline fashion. Jim's interests are fully realized when he hears a noise at the door and recognizes his owner. "It is Jane. Jane makes my dinner." Full-color art created in Photoshop suits each cheerful scene with concise and simple text displayed in a bright yellow font. The purpose of each space is clearly showcased, such as when Jim introduces readers to the litter box in the bathroom, highlighting the functionality of his living arrangements. Jim adds practicality along with feline flair as he completes his rounds with a final statement. "I like my home. Meow." VERDICT Jim's abode is a welcome place for all who enter.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Bulletin for the Center... - 06/01/2016 An orange cat named Jim takes readers on a brief tour of the house in which he lives with his owner, Jane. The tour covers exterior features (roof, door, windows) and interior areas, including Jim’s bed (a human bed which Jim claims by reclining across it) and his (clean) litter box. Jim has an amiable and kid-friendly voice, and his narration is informative but also amusingly feline-centric (“Jane makes my dinner. I like Jane”). The very short sentences and simple vocabulary make this perfect for a toddler or preschool audience but also accessible to beginning readers. The bold, blocky illustrations, created in Adobe Photoshop, are childlike in their rendering, and the vivid hues of purple, red, orange, yellow, and green could have come straight out of a box of Crayola crayons. Stripey orange Jim is a fetching guide to these gentle proceedings, and cat-loving kiddos will find this installment in Barton’s oeuvre especially attractive. Share this as part of a house-themed story hour, use it along with other Barton titles (My Bus, BCCB 6/14, etc.) in a preschool author study, or enjoy it as a precursor to a house-building session with Legos or blocks-accompanying cat is optional but recommended. JH - Copyright 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Loading...
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