I think I can currently recite this book word for word, having read it almost every day for several weeks. This simple little picture book for 2-5 year olds has captivated my daughter (who is 3.5) and has a certain charm to it which makes it less of a chore to read than some of her other books.


***Story***

Nana Quimby spots a cat up a tree and uses her telephone to call for help. The fire brigade can't help her unless the cat is playing with matches, neither can the library (unless the cat has an overdue book) or the zoo (unless the cat has orange stripes) or the police (unless the cat has committed a crime) or the post office (unless the cat needs a stamp). City Hall is only able to offer her a sign warning of falling cats. The number of cats up the tree increases with every phone call she makes, until she finally loses her temper and throws the telephone out of the window into the tree. The cats cross into her apartment and then Nana gets a phone call begging for her help with the MOUSE problem. The simple storyline and the repetitive language make this a very appealing book for young children and those who are beginning to recognise simple words. My daughter joins in with gusto and this has been a firm favourite for the last 18 months or so. As a parent I find this book has plenty of opportunities for funny voices and its humorous subject means I can read it several times a day without getting sick of it.


***Illustrations***

This book is charmingly illustrated with 'cartoony' cats which have a sinuous quality and plenty of comic potential. Nana Quimby is plump, warm and welcoming; the stereotypical grandmother set in a world which is bright and colourful and full of life. There is plenty to look and discuss with small children, from counting the cats (who increase in multiples of five) to looking for little background details such as the mouse in the lion's cage.


***Price***

Paperback on Amazon.co.uk is £3.95 (used and new from £0.93 on Marketplace)

0618335242

Hardcover on Amazon.co.uk is £8.99 (normal price £9.99)

0395884152