The Cats of Tiffany Street (Houghton Mifflin Leveled Library: Little Big Book Plus) - Softcover

PreSchool-Grade 2-- On Friday night, the cats meet on Tiffany Street, where they dance happily until a man in a van comes along and captures them. Shadow gets away, finds out that the man is locking the other cats up in a shed, cries such a sad song that he sets them free, and they all return to Tiffany Street--except Shadow, "who saw that the man wasn't really bad, just old and lonely and terribly sad," and decides to stay with him and end her life of wandering. Written in catchy rhyming verse, this book will hold children's attention. It begins lightheartedly, then adds drama and suspense as the cats are imprisoned, and concludes happily. Hayes's watercolor-and-pencil drawings work well with the many different moods portrayed by the felines and the human. Even those unfamiliar with a cat's individualism will most likely choose a favorite from this menagerie, feeling first alarm at its plight, and then relief. --Rachel Fox, Port Washington Public Library, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Cats , the musical, has nothing on Hayes's ( The Grumpalump ) motley feline cast, which will warm the cockles of the hardest heart. Her endearing tale is imbued with a lilting, melodious language that is both singular and comfortable. Gentle rhythms, occasional repetitions and easy alliterations propel the story to its happy conclusion. Marmalade Ned, Delicate Fan, Pitter and Pat and a stray named Shadow are kidnapped from their alley by a man in a van , who locks them up in a remote shed. Shadow, however, escapes his clutches and yowls disconsolately until the harried catnapper frees his friends. Shadow recognizes another stray when he sees one and happily stays on with the man with the van. These bully cats bristle with character and distinction in a league with Kliban's creations. Luminous watercolors enhanced with pencil (and loaded with charm) will make Tiffany Street a location of choice. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.