  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 06/01/2018 PreS-Gr 2—Although hungry Cat doesn't believe in wishes, the feline releases Snake after it promises, "I'll grant you what you wish." Cat remains skeptical even after its wish for a fish delivers several. "No such thing as a wish," Cat repeats just as a wish for a house in which to shelter from the rain produces a fine little house with a "toasty fireplace." Curled asleep before that fire, the tabby suddenly awakens and, alone and frightened in the dark house, wishes for a friend. In walks a little girl who has also met Snake and been granted three similar wishes. Cat and girl, now nestled cozily together, become the answer to one another's third wish—a friend. Pak's watercolor and digital media illustrations are executed in a predominately brown and gray palette, making his spare use of color all the more striking. From eyes lowered and paw raised to wipe off the remains of a fish dinner, to ears sticking straight out, body stretched across a spread as it catches a whiff of a blazing hearth, striped Cat's every expression belies the repeated conviction it expresses right to the end when, purring contentedly in Girl's lap, it maintains, "No such thing as a wish." VERDICT Readers will enjoy knowing what Cat refuses to admit: wishes do come true. Pair this tongue-in-cheek offering with other fairy tales for an engaging storytime.—Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MA - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
 |