Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats

By Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Book Overview

Mrs. McTats and her cat, Abner, are living happily together when some new cats come scratching at Mrs. McTats's door. By twos and threes, and then fours and more, the cats come, welcomed by Mrs. McTats (though Abner's not so sure about it all ). Just when it seems the house is full to bursting, the cats stop coming. Whew So many cats But Mrs. McTats can't help feeling that something -- or someone -- is missing. Then there's one more scratch at the door -- and Mrs. McTats finds just what the family needs to be complete. Alyssa Capucilli's playful rhymes, which surprise with an alphabetic twist, combine with Joan Rankin's hilarious illustrations, which give each cat a distinct personality, to guarantee hours of reading pleasure.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689831854
• ISBN13: 9780689831850
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 11.3" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Loved the story

I loved the story and how it incorporated the ABC's as well as couting. I would have like to have seen better illustrations.

For Little Cat Lovers, Everywhere.....

Mrs McTats lived alone with her cat, Abner and "Every morning she left/as the clock struck eight/To market, to market!/I mustn't be late." One morning, just as she was about to leave there was a scratch at the door and in walked two cats. Mrs McTats decides she has room in her house and her heart for these two strays and names them Basil and Curly. The next morning, three more cats arrive, Dolly, Ernest and Fuzzy (that makes 6). The next day four more are waiting at the door, and so on until finally Violet, Winnie, Xinnie and Yodel are adopted and join the family (that makes 25). Mrs McTats feels something or someone is still missing, so readers won't be surprised when the next morning there's another scratch at the door. But this time it's a puppy and she names him Zoom..... Alyssa Capucilli has written a creative and inventive picture book that combines the alphabet with counting and addition all rolled into a charming and engaging story. Her joyous, rhyming text is beautifully complemented by Joan Rankin's detailed, amusing illustrations that get busier and funnier with each page turn and youngsters will love all the facial expressions and different personalities of each new addition to the house. Perfect for little ones 3-7, Mrs Mctats And Her Houseful Of Cats is a winner and a book kids will beg to read again and again.

delightful and funny

Thisis the cleverest counting and alphabet book I have encountered in a long time. In fact, at first reading, it's so clever and subtle that you might not even realise it's an alphabet book. Plus it's just chockful of cats. Big cats, little cats, grumpy cats, fat cats, thin cats, cute cats. They're all in there. Plus the odd rather brave bird sitting within reach of a cat! If your child has a cat or even just likes cats, this will be a lovely book to share!