  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 10/01/2016 K-Gr 4—Lord Cat lives well on his mountaintop, blessed with the finest of goods and plenty of rice to eat. He has servants to build him the best home and prepare and serve his delicious meals. There are also workers to tend his prolific rice paddies. Life is stable until, one year, drought hits and crops fail. Eventually most of the villagers move from the mountain in search of a better life. Lord Cat refuses to abandon all that he has accrued even though his great wealth now means nothing. Finally, at the point of starvation, he leaves his home to beg for food from whomever he can. He learns of a generous monk, willing to serve rice to any in need. Lord Cat becomes most grateful for just a half bowl of rice that he would have scorned and thrown away before. Lord Cat learns an invaluable lesson when he discovers how the gracious monk accumulated his reserve. Caldecott-winning author/illustrator Young has created another stunning and meaningful picture book to be enjoyed by all ages. This poignant story reinforces the importance of limiting waste, being grateful for what one has, and sharing in a manner that is deliberate and sincere. The animal characters make this title especially inviting and accessible for young readers. The visuals, completed in mixed-media collage, are striking with their use of many colors, textures, and types of materials. This book is exquisite in text, tone, and illustration. VERDICT A compelling fable that is crucial for humanity and will spark meaningful classroom conversations.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 11/01/2016 Lord Cat lives in a tall pagoda atop Hunger Mountain and looks down on his fields below, yet he is never satisfied. Dressed in fine garments, he eats half the rice in his enormous bowl and discards the rest. When drought destroys the crops, his servants and the farmers go hungry and move away. Humbled, the cat becomes a beggar and makes his way to a monk who feeds the poor. Where did the fine rice come from? For years, the monk collected the grains that the wealthy cat and his harried servants wasted. Now he shares them with all. The cat feels blessed. Written with simplicity and dignity, Young’s original fable has no stated moral, but it could open up several topics for discussion. The striking illustrations are complex collages combining textured, woven, and marbled papers with partial photos of subjects such as animals, mountains, trees, wooden shutters, and carpeting. Most effective when viewed from a little distance, they create a series of varied, evocative scenes. A handsome picture book. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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