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Old Robert and the Sea-Silly Cats
"The Cat and the Fiddle" for a new generation, by bestselling author Barbara Joosse
Old Robert has everything he needs. Nothing more, nothing less. Each and every day, he sails the sea, alone. And each and every night, he docks his boat and prepares his dinner, alone. Until one evening when he gets a very strange visitor: a dancing cat. There's no room in Old Robert's ship...more
Old Robert has everything he needs. Nothing more, nothing less. Each and every day, he sails the sea, alone. And each and every night, he docks his boat and prepares his dinner, alone. Until one evening when he gets a very strange visitor: a dancing cat. There's no room in Old Robert's ship...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
April 12th 2012
by Philomel
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Little does Robert, a sailor, know that his life is missing something. After all, his days and nights are filled with work and the joys of navigating his boat along the waters. What could he possibly want? Nothing--until he meets three unique cats, one that dances, one that sings and plays a ukulele, and one that juggles objects, all of whom for which he manages to find a place on his little ship. When another cat--"this cat was just a cat"(unpaginated)that does nothing except sit on his chest a...more
Oh so nice. I had a bit of an emotional reaction to this one. I love the slow steady progression: old Robert smiled just a bit, then a bit more, then laughed, then scooped up that little ordinary cat and sailed into the moonlight.
A fellow librarian mentioned really liking this book, and we had our new copy still on our Brand New shelf. So I read it. It's cute. Illustrations and story both. But it's not quite my book. I think cat and/or pet-lovers would like it a lot, but I am neither of those. I do love the last cat--I think he'd be my favorite, too. And it was nice to see Old Robert happy.
I'm not enough behind this for a storytime read, but one who is and could do it justice in their read-aloud skills could make this wo...more
I'm not enough behind this for a storytime read, but one who is and could do it justice in their read-aloud skills could make this wo...more
Old Robert sailed his ship at sea during the day and docked it at night because it was so dark. At night, he prepared his dinner of toast in buttered milk and ran through his list of things that were all in their proper place, including clean socks, a clock, one dish and one spoon, and the moon. He was all alone until one night when a dancing cat asked to come aboard. Old Robert hesitated because there wasn’t much room aboard, but in the end he agreed. So he made dinner of toast in buttered milk...more
I love the Barbara joosse - JanJutte combination. Everything they do together feels like an old classic that I have somehow just discovered. It's Ms Joosse's free way with a story - she isn't constrained by sense or message, she just writes a little story. She's like Wanda Gag. And it's Jan Jutte's strong, confident line - uncluttered shapes and flattened perspectives are all in service to the characters. We were charmed by Old Robert, his tidy boat, and the kitties who arrived to brighten his l...more
Great rhythem of the text. Quiet illustrations hint at larger themes. The night-time setting and the soothing repetition make this a perfect bedtime book for a wide range of ages, pre-K to 2nd grade.
I love how the first three cats wear clothes and do people thing, and the last cat is just a cat. The strangeness of the world where sea-gulls wear bowler hats, and ducks and dogs dress like dock workers is enchanting.
I love how the first three cats wear clothes and do people thing, and the last cat is just a cat. The strangeness of the world where sea-gulls wear bowler hats, and ducks and dogs dress like dock workers is enchanting.
A lyrical text reminiscent of “Good Night Moon” tells the story of a lonely sailor, Old Robert who’s life becomes richer with the addition of three very talented cats. One sings, one dances and yet another juggles. But Old Robert's world becomes complete with the appearance of the one little black cat that just sat.
Reviewed by Reviewer 19.
Reviewed by Reviewer 19.
Old Robert has a beautiful sailboat, a neat and tidy life and is a happy man. But when cats come a-callin’ and want to come in, should he let them? After all, they will upset his neat and tidy life. But Old Robert lets them in and finds his life greatly enhanced by the company. Great Book with great drawings.
Sep 14, 2012
Stephanie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Stephanie by:
Library Display
Shelves:
children-s
Another children's hit - in my book. A fun book about overcoming loneliness through companionship which leads to courage. Companionship can come in the form of pets - albeit unwanted at first - much embraced after.
I teach Pre-K and was hesitant about this book. When I read it you could have heard a pin drop and as I closed the book one of the boys exclaimed "I love that book!". So a big hit with the people it was written for.
Poor old Robert needs a friend or two and he gets them in a group of silly but very sweet cats. This is a perfect book for story or bed time with sweet illustrations to match the cute story.
A whimsical tale for cat lovers. Folks with more than one cat will certainly recognize that old refrain, well, I certainly don't have room for another... We all know those famous last words.
When a lonely, fastidious old sailor meets a dancing cat one night, he lets her on, despite his thoughts to the contrary. Then he lets on a singing cat, then a juggling one. At each encounter, he losses some of his inhibitions until at last he is able to open his heart and try something he never would have before. The illustrations are drawn with cartoonish bold lines and colors, lending a whimsical feel to the book that the words do not portray on their own. Anyone who appreciates cats will enj...more
Goofy, charming story, with a little bit to talk about: Where are these cats coming from? Why does the last cat not sing and dance? Where are the cats at the end of the book?
Each cat has a unique talent and way into your heart. This is a cautionary tale. One cat does lead to another, but don't worry you'll know when you've reached the perfect number.
Old Robert is content, but when the silly singing cats join him on his boat, he finds a little adventure and happiness.
Cute story for cat lovers everywhere. Cats are like potato chips -- you can't have just one!
Such a beautiful little story and message. My daughter asked for this repeatedly.
Silly cats indeed!
Jan 12, 2013
Amy
marked it as picture-books-read
Dec 04, 2012
Boscawen Library
added it
Nov 23, 2012
Heather
marked it as to-read
Oct 22, 2012
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
marked it as to-read
Shelves:
to-read-interloan-sd,
to-read-cat-books
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Barbara Joosse has written many books for children. Among them are Mama, Do You Love Me?, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee; and I Love You the Purplest, illustrated by Mary Whyte. She says, "When I was a little girl, I wished for two things — a best friend, and something so ferocious it would scare away the monsters under my bed. And so I have written Lovabye Dragon. I think maybe it’s for little m...more
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