Me and My Cat? is a 1999 children's picture book by Satoshi Kitamura. It is about a boy, Nicholas, who switches bodies with his cat, Leonardo.
 | |
| Author | Satoshi Kitamura |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Satoshi Kitamura |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's picture book |
| Published | 1999 (Andersen Press) |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 32 (unpaginated) |
| ISBN | 9781842707753 |
| OCLC | 1263586856 |
Plot edit
Ten year old Nicholas does not want to go to school. One night a witch appears in Nicholas's bedroom. She brandishes her broom, says magic words, and leaves without even saying goodbye. The next morning, Nicholas's mom comes in to tell him he will be late for school if he does not get up. His mother dragged him out of bed and into the bathroom and made him wash and dress. At breakfast time, his mother interrupted his breakfast. (Nicholas was eating Leonardo's cat food.) Nicholas realizes he and his cat, Leonardo, have switched bodies. As a result, Nicholas goes to school, but remains at home.
Nicholas's mom realizes that something is wrong with her son, so she calls the doctor (whose name is Dr. Wire) and asks him to "come at once". After examining Nicholas, the doctor Dr. Wire tells his mother to "Never mind about that". He continues that he (Nicholas) "is just a little overtired". Then he (the doctor) recommends sending him (Nicholas) to bed early. Nicholas's mom hugs Nicholas (in Leonardo's body), who begins to purr. Then Leonardo (in Nicholas's body) begins to purr as well.
The witch returns to Nicholas's room, apologizes, and says she "had the wrong address". She brandishes her broom at Nicholas and Leonardo (while Nicholas is asleep), says magic words, and leaves without saying goodnight. In the morning, Nicholas's mom wakes him up, and he realizes he has been returned to his body. At school, it is revealed that Nicholas's --fifth grade-- teacher (Mr. McGough) has switched bodies with his own cat. Then Nicholas reveals that his teacher Mr. McGough "scratched himself, licked his shirt, and fell asleep for the rest of the school day".
Reception edit
In a review, the New York Times wrote "Kitamura's art resembles the animation seen on the Cartoon Network, edgy and angular, a style that becomes a barrier to the artist's intent when the plan is to depict the smooth, springy suppleness of cats. And that -- evoking memories of familiar feline postures for the sake of a laugh -- is what this book is all about. Still, many children will no doubt respond with laugh-track chuckles, especially to the sight of a boy squatting in a litter box. My test audience -- that is, my inner 6-year-old -- obviously did not."[1] while Kirkus Reviews calls it "Silly good fun."[2] and Publishers Weekly wrote "this latest by Kitamura spotlights an offbeat sense of humor and a flair for comic-book layout."[3]
It has also been reviewed by Booklist,[4] the School Library Journal,[5] and The Horn Book Magazine.[6]
Awards and nominations edit
- Kurt Maschler Award - nominated[7]
- 2000 Silver Smarties Book Award - won[7]
Adaptations edit
Me and My Cat? has been adapted for the stage.[8][9][10][11]
References edit
- ^ David Small (14 May 2000). "Cat Scams". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "Me and My Cat?". www.kirkusreviews.com. Kirkus Media LLC. 15 February 2000. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "Me and My Cat?". www.publishersweekly.com. PWxyz LLC. 28 February 2000. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ Amy Brandt (1 March 2000). "Books for Youth: Books for the Young". Booklist. 96 (13). American Library Association: 1250. Retrieved 7 November 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "PRESCHOOL TO GRADE 4: Fiction". School Library Journal. 46 (3). Media Source Inc.: 209 March 2000. Retrieved 7 November 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "Me and My Cat?". Horn Book Magazine. 76 (2). Media Source Inc.: 187 2000. Retrieved 7 November 2016.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Me and My Cat?". www.booktrust.org. Book Trust. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ Don Calogero (4 December 2014). "Me and My Cat, RichMix Theatre – Review". everything-theatre.co.uk. Everything Theatre. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "Me and My Cat". www.thelowry.com. The Lowry. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "Me and My Cat". www.whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com, Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "Me and My Cat?". www.derbytheatre.co.uk. Derby Theatre. Retrieved 7 November 2016.