CUNNING CAT TALES

Three cat folktales are simplified and typographically designed to encourage reading aloud, as the introduction explains, by concentrating on direct speech rather than description. “Puss in Boots,” “The White Cat,” and “Sir Pussycat,” an Italian variation of “Diamonds and Toads,” incorporate different type styles and bold-faced phrases to suggest sound effects and dramatic moments and to allow for multiple voices and listener participation: “Stop complaining!” snorted Puss. “Find me a bag and a fine pair of boots.” Chichester Clark’s familiar sprightly art illustrates the tales; set against white backgrounds, the brightly colored scenes, often no more than spots, enrich each story’s vignettes. The book succeeds in its purpose with the device encouraging expressive reading aloud while bringing two lesser-known tales to young readers and their families. As the introduction says, “All reading starts as reading aloud.” Bravo. (Folktales. 5-8)