  | Full Text Reviews: Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2016 Young Nick likes to read, but his two pet cats (stripy, friendly Verne and crabby-faced, gray Stevenson) get in the way-literally-every time he picks up a book, so he decides to teach them how to read for themselves. Verne quickly learns to read (apparently), but Stevenson remains aloof, until Nick and Verne find a series of pirate pictures that Stevenson has drawn. Nick and Verne then write text for Stevenson’s picture story and read it to him: “Stevenson listened and followed along. He didn’t run away. Or hiss. Not even once.” There’s mischievous intrigue here, as the proof of the cats’ literacy is never quite made clear and it could be that Nick is merely having imaginary fun. In any case, the book is sweet and offbeat, and pet-owning kids (especially those who love to play school) will enjoy the play possibilities this inspires, even if their pets are less enthusiastic. The peaceful illustrations (rendered in ink, Flashe paint, and acrylic paint) evoke an idyllic summer setting with soft edges and muted tones. Light-brown-skinned Nick is a cutie with his wide-eyed face and curly topknot of darker brown hair, and the cats, even the curmudgeonly Stevenson, are cuddly figures. Pair this with Miller’s Three Stories You Can Read to Your Cat for a little educational feline fun. JH - Copyright 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Loading...
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