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20th out of 228 books
—
117 voters
Chester (Chester)
by
Mélanie Watt
Chester is more than a picture book. It is a story told, and retold, by dueling author-illustrators.
Melanie Watt starts out with the story of a mouse in a house. Then Melanie's cat, Chester, sends the mouse packing and proceeds to cover the pages with rewrites from his red marker, and the gloves are off. Melanie and her mouse won't take Chester's antics lying down. And Ch...more
Melanie Watt starts out with the story of a mouse in a house. Then Melanie's cat, Chester, sends the mouse packing and proceeds to cover the pages with rewrites from his red marker, and the gloves are off. Melanie and her mouse won't take Chester's antics lying down. And Ch...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
September 1st 2007
by Kids Can Press
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1,843)
Jul 24, 2009
Abigail
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Children Who Like Funny Picture-Books / Cat-Lovers
Recommended to Abigail by:
Emily
Shelves:
picture-books
Review Temporarily Removed.
Aug 11, 2009
Kathryn
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
cat-lovers
Recommended to Kathryn by:
Abigail
Shelves:
childrens-picture-books
What a fun read!!! The "story" itself is pretty thin (we never DO find out what happens to that mouse, haha!) but that is because it really is all about CHESTER and his constant interruptions into the "story" do make him, and his antics, the star of this picture book.
Recommended to anyone who has a cat that thinks he/she is the center of the universe--and as we cat-servants all know, each cat IS the center of the universe! ;->
Thanks, Abigail, for the recommendation.
Recommended to anyone who has a cat that thinks he/she is the center of the universe--and as we cat-servants all know, each cat IS the center of the universe! ;->
Thanks, Abigail, for the recommendation.
3 likes · like · see review
Poor Chester! All Chester wants is some attention and to get rid of the pesky mouse and dog that torment his existence. With the help of his red marker Chester is able to make his perfect world! This book does not have a huge "story" component but has tons of personality. It is a quick, fun kids book.
Got this out of the library for my 5 year old, and adored it. Laughed so hard I couldn't read the story coherently, which actually would have been a little tricky under any circumstances, as I had to pause a lot to explain the wacky postmodern premise of the book to my slightly puzzled boy. Essentially Chester the cat and Melanie Watt the author are fighting for control over the narration of a sweet story about a mouse, Chester being particularly aggressive, crossing out lines and drawing (gentl...more
3 likes · like · see review
All Mélanie wants to do is write and illustrate her story about a little mouse who lived in a house in the country. Unfortunately, her cat, Chester, has other ideas. Obviously, the story should be about him, not the mouse, so he ships the mouse off and takes over the book. Mélanie and Chester face off in a battle of wits, each one topping the other’s crazy antics to take over the story. Mélanie wins by putting Chester in a pink tutu, but Chester, as always, gets the last word.
Watt has taken the...more
Watt has taken the...more
It was so nice to finally meet Chester - a fat cat with an extremely high opinion of himself - so high that he feels Melanie Watt's book should be devoted to HIM instead of the mouse as intended. The result is a very cute and very funny little power struggle between Ms. Watt and Chester.
Ms. Watt tries her best to create a respectable picture book as Chester wields his red marker all over her good work. The result is an epic battle of wills between cat and owner and it's any one's guess who will...more
Ms. Watt tries her best to create a respectable picture book as Chester wields his red marker all over her good work. The result is an epic battle of wills between cat and owner and it's any one's guess who will...more
6 likes · like · see review
Chester the cat decides that he wants to be the star of Melanie Watt's book because he is feeling a bit put out that she is making a mouse the main character. Chester takes his red marker and and adds annotations to Watt's text in an attempt to change the story so that it is more to his liking. Chester's self centered antics had me chuckling as he and Melanie Watt's battle to take over the story.
Publication Date: 2007
Awards: Virginia Readers' Choice Nominee for 2010-2011
Themes: mischief, jealou...more
Publication Date: 2007
Awards: Virginia Readers' Choice Nominee for 2010-2011
Themes: mischief, jealou...more
There's not much of a plot, except for the back-and-forth between cat and author, but the book is funny and will ring true for cat owners.
Presumably the story of a mouse, Chester, the author's cat, interrupts and redraws the tale with himself as the main character. The author retaliates by introducing a big, ferocious dog, and Chester taunts her into beginning the book again as a tale about himself. The author, however, gets the last laugh by dressing Chester in a pink tutu. (See? Not much of a...more
Presumably the story of a mouse, Chester, the author's cat, interrupts and redraws the tale with himself as the main character. The author retaliates by introducing a big, ferocious dog, and Chester taunts her into beginning the book again as a tale about himself. The author, however, gets the last laugh by dressing Chester in a pink tutu. (See? Not much of a...more
Chester wants this to be HIS story, and he's going to make it that way whether author Melanie likes it or not! But watch out -- the narrator always has the power to change the story!
Another fun book that makes me think of that "George of the Jungle" line, "Are you arguing with the narRATor?!" Would be fun paired with Interrupting Chicken, Chloe and the Lion, or Bad Day at Riverbend.
Another fun book that makes me think of that "George of the Jungle" line, "Are you arguing with the narRATor?!" Would be fun paired with Interrupting Chicken, Chloe and the Lion, or Bad Day at Riverbend.
I do enjoy Watt's humor and reaching past audience conventions to create her books. And even with breaking/bending those traditions, she's still very good with tiny details and creating almost a second story if you will. Heard much of this, especially as it was on last summer's school reading list. So I'm glad we finally got a copy and that I got to read it. I'm going to try reading this aloud to a varied age group and see who reacts to what and how.
11/29/10 This worked well in the PJ storytime....more
11/29/10 This worked well in the PJ storytime....more
Novel approach to a children's picture book! Author Melanie starts writing a story about a mouse, and Chester the cat interrupts her with his red marker, to edit the story and change the illustrations. Chester wants the story to be about a cat named Chester. (Of course! Who would want to read about anyone else? Chester is the center of the universe.) After a great deal of cat-harassment, Melanie gives in and writes a story about Chester -- but she finds a way to get revenge. Melanie's writing is...more
May 17, 2008
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
all cat lovers!
Shelves:
read-childrens-books,
read-cat-books
Oh my God, this was cute! I had a fat cat named Chester, and he ruled the roost just like this guy does. I love the "PLACE MY AWARD HERE" circle on the cover! Very clever!
Publication Date: August 1, 2009 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: Chester
Chester is more than a picture book. It is a story told, and retold, by dueling author-illustrators. Melanie Watt starts out with the story of a mouse in a house. Then Melanie's cat, Chester, sends the mouse packing and proceeds to cover the pages with rewrites from his red marker, and the gloves are off. Melanie and her mouse won't take Chester's antics lying down. And Chester is obviously a creative powerhouse with conf...more
Chester is more than a picture book. It is a story told, and retold, by dueling author-illustrators. Melanie Watt starts out with the story of a mouse in a house. Then Melanie's cat, Chester, sends the mouse packing and proceeds to cover the pages with rewrites from his red marker, and the gloves are off. Melanie and her mouse won't take Chester's antics lying down. And Chester is obviously a creative powerhouse with conf...more
I'm giving this fun book 5 stars because my son couldn't stop laughing about Chester marking Melanie's name out on the cover, and in the middle of the book Chester deems the book finished and yells "the end!" and I get to slam it shut.
Chester is a fat cat who likes to throw his weight around, and the author barely gets the story started before Chester starts marking out things in the book with his red marker. He's jealous of mouse and thinks his story is too boring, so he sabotages the writing o...more
Chester is a fat cat who likes to throw his weight around, and the author barely gets the story started before Chester starts marking out things in the book with his red marker. He's jealous of mouse and thinks his story is too boring, so he sabotages the writing o...more
An author tries to write a story about a mouse, but Chester the cat keeps interrupting with his red marker and "editing" the story to make himself the star. Eventually the author gets fed up with Chester and makes her own edits which place the cat in a frilly pink tutu. Chester, however, gets the last word by defacing the author's photo.
Different color text makes it clear what "Melanie Watt" wrote and what "Chester" wrote. I'd use this with 2nd or 3rd graders-kids who are old enough to understan...more
Different color text makes it clear what "Melanie Watt" wrote and what "Chester" wrote. I'd use this with 2nd or 3rd graders-kids who are old enough to understan...more
Ms. Watt does a fabulous job of telling the mouses' tale while Chester the cat insists on interrupting. Ms. Watt's perseverance in the face of Chester's adversity is admirable. As the story opens, Ms. Watt bravely begins Mouse's story, but is rudely interrupted by Chester. The cat demands that the story continue with him as the main character. Ms. Watt marches on with the story after giving Chester a talking to. However Chester continues the interruptions until Ms. Watt has no alternative but to...more
Dec 02, 2012
Brittney Pierce
added it
This story Chester is a great children's book! The cat named Chester pretty much interacts with the reader and edits the story with a red marker. Every time the author starts to write part of the story Chester adds his own little twist to it. The author Melanie however has the final laugh because she,in the end, make the cat wear a pink tutu, however the cat has his own fun by drawing glasses, a moustache, and a goetee on the picture of the author. I loved this story and it had me laughing until...more
Chester is a cat with 'tude. Seriously. The author, Melanie, is attempting to write a nice story about a mouse. However, Chester--the cat, has very different ideas on this. He keeps interrupting with his red marker. And so the story takes a turn and a battle ensues between the two. Kids may not quite understand it at first, but once they do, they'll be 'Chester'ing things all over the house if they happen across a red marker. If your kids liked "There's a Monster at the End of This Book" with Gr...more
Mar 30, 2012
Kristilyn (Reading In Winter & Winter Distractions)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
borrowed,
read-in-2011
As I sit here thinking about what to write for this review, I feel at a loss for words. Not because it’s a bad book — because it’s far from that — but because it’s just so unique and cute that I can’t think of what else to say for it.
Chester is the story of Melanie Watt, really, who’s trying to write a story about a mouse, but Chester keeps wanting to write his own story as she writes. So he goes in and changes thing with his trusty red marker, crossing out what Melanie writes and crafting his...more
Chester is the story of Melanie Watt, really, who’s trying to write a story about a mouse, but Chester keeps wanting to write his own story as she writes. So he goes in and changes thing with his trusty red marker, crossing out what Melanie writes and crafting his...more
This is a really fun book, though it is difficult to read aloud because it is hard for younger kids to understand that Chester the cat is the one editing/rewriting the author's original story. The illustrations really make the book worth reading because the story line isn’t really a story at all. Chester the cat wants the story to be about him and not about the mouse. As the author writes the story about the mouse, Chester takes his red marker and changes story and illustrations to get the mouse...more
1 like · like · see review
This is an ingenious picture book that will be appreciated by anyone who loves cats or has a sense of humor.
Chester the cat, with his red marker, takes over the writing of the story from Mélanie Watt, and the results are cute and amusing.
The pictures are well done too; I especially liked the mouse.
This is a terrific read aloud book, as long as a lot of time is spent perusing the pictures and red marker crossed out text.
I gave it an extra star for the author/illustrator’s inventiveness.
Chester the cat, with his red marker, takes over the writing of the story from Mélanie Watt, and the results are cute and amusing.
The pictures are well done too; I especially liked the mouse.
This is a terrific read aloud book, as long as a lot of time is spent perusing the pictures and red marker crossed out text.
I gave it an extra star for the author/illustrator’s inventiveness.
5 likes · like · see review
Some books are just plain funny. Chester's battle of wills vs author Melanie Watt makes me laugh outloud. The illustrations are vibrant and suprisingly complex (I was still noticing little details on the fifth reading. A great read for cat-lovers and adults but this book can be difficult to read outloud to younger children. It requires a fair amount of explaination of its core concepts. The explainations are worth it though since it can quickly become a 'favourite' book.
I thought this book was really funny. I like that the author interacts with the characters in the book.
My summary,
so it starts out with the author trying to write a story about a mouse but Chester keeps writing on the pages so that she can not tell her story. In the end the author decides to give the book to Chester and he is super happy but she makes him wear a pink tutu so Chester was no longer happy at the end of the story.
My summary,
so it starts out with the author trying to write a story about a mouse but Chester keeps writing on the pages so that she can not tell her story. In the end the author decides to give the book to Chester and he is super happy but she makes him wear a pink tutu so Chester was no longer happy at the end of the story.
Melanie Watt definitely gets kids' humor. Primary grade students will love the battle for literary control that is waged between Melanie and Chester, as the cat uses his bold red marker to bring the story of the mouse to a quick resolution so that Melanie can focus on him, him, HIM! Lots of potential for conversations about perspective, beginning-middle-end, author influences, etc... or a silly story to enjoy on its own merit!
Very cute concept. Chester the cat takes over the writing of the book with a red magic marker and he and the real author battle it out. It takes the idea of an aware character like in the Don't let the Pigeon books in a little bit of a different direction. Its funny as long as the reader understands how a book works. Chester was fun to look at, too, with his nicely colored spots, but that might just be the cat lover in me.
On my first read, I wasn't enamored with this book. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. But on my second read with my children, Chester grew on me. Melanie Watt is trying to write a story about a mouse, but Chester the cat keeps butting in. He is sure the story should be about him as he is much more interesting than a mouse. Chester is large...in size and in personality. Cute illustrations and a fun story.
In this story, the author is trying to tell a story about a mouse, when her cat, Chester, enters the book and changes everything to his own liking. The original writing and illustrations remain, while Chester’s marks are all in red, as if he is correcting the author’s work. There is a back and forth between Chester and the author throughout the book. Whose story will finally win? Well, you will have to read to find out.
A super cute picture book about Chester, a silly cat who uses his red marker to take over the story. As the author tries to take the story back to what she wants, Chester is sneaking his way back in, until the story becomes a hilarious struggle between the two of them for what the book will be about. Very fun and my kids loved it. (And I love Melanie Watt's illustrations - they are so cute and bring out the story so much.)
Feb 03, 2013
Lisa Arthur
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
first grader
Shelves:
picture-books
Chester is about cat & mouse but really it's about the author and illustrator.
This is great way to explain to children difference of author and illustrator. I think it resembles 2 children or sibling trying to work on a project together. How Chester thinks the story should be told while the mouse disagrees. They battle over the red pen to mark out the other work and vision of story.
This is great way to explain to children difference of author and illustrator. I think it resembles 2 children or sibling trying to work on a project together. How Chester thinks the story should be told while the mouse disagrees. They battle over the red pen to mark out the other work and vision of story.
A wonderfully creative expression of the battle between cat and mouse, Chester is named for the calico in this story who is constantly stealing the show. Armed with his red marker so he can make adjustments to the mouse's tale, Chester marks up the page with his corrections... but two can play at this game. Chester is charming -- a must-have for any creative, cat-loving children.
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