Toots the Cat

by Karla Kuskin, Lisze Bechtold (Illustrator)

Meet Toots, the lovable feline terror of the house

Toots will win you over just as easily as she walks all over you. She eats, plays, naps, and comes and goes as she pleases. But she is so lovable that you’ll want her to be your very own animal companion.

In this collection of poems, an ode to the author’s own cat, Karla Kuskin’s evocative and whimsical phrases perfectly capture Toot’s attitude and charm. Vibrant, playful illustrations by Lisze Bechtold make the pages come alive with feline energy.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Cats

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Karla Kuskin was an author and illustrator of children's literature, as well as a frequent reviewer of books.

Reviews

[Mia Plascencia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toots the Cat is such a fun read for young students. This cute cat is relatable and best of all, unbothered. The rhyme and rhythm within the words makes the story an enticing for kiddos. This idea reflects Sam Bishop’s piece as he says literature reflects “we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. It provides a window for readers as they are looking into Toots and her animal life which feels all too familiar. Readers learn about her hunting habits, both summer and winter interests, her emotions and even other cats Toots may interact with! This all contributes to her characterization as well as through the elegant feline illustrations done by Lisze Bechtold. Through this fantasy book, it opened my eyes to the possibility of a book being educational, fun, seemingly nonsense, and also relatable at the same time. One thing this book is lacking is maybe some interests that both Toots and her owner share? Great read otherwise!

[Sarah Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the fact that it is poetry. There are some very funny ones about the tendencies of cats. Like how they insist on sitting on you when it’s super hot out. It’s cute for the kid who like cats.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun poems in honor of a stray cat who worms her way into a family's life..

Illustrations created using pencil, watercolor, and gouche truly capture the whimsical nature of cats.



So why, if you want to be free of the fur-curling heat, are you sitting on me? p. 14- unpaged

Cats don't care
what you wear.
They never are rude
if you're nude. p. 16- unpaged


Cats take naps
from dawn to dawn.
They nap on anything they're on -
a pillow, antique chair, or lawn.
And when their need to nap is gone,
they stretch and yawn
and look around for something else
it might be nice to nap upon. p. 21- unpaged

[Leslie Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the collection of poems for my secondary reading for Poems readings

There are a series of poems that talk of a stray cat finds way into a home where get comfortable with the family and makes place known among other cats. Even when this cat leaves he come back. These poems did not seem like regular poems. I do not think young students would know that these are poems without letting them know. I like how book shows how a stray can find a home but there was not much of climax in story. One moment the cat left family and one moment it was back.
The illustrations are rich with color and really put a focus on the cat and not much else. The simplicity is good for type of story it is.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a series of short poems about a cat named Toots. From descriptions of the cat's nose and tail to her preferences and peculiar habits, the poems vividly draw the character of the cat. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, the poems and accompanying illustrations make a thoroughly enjoyable book for any cat-lover.

[Loretta Benenati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copyright 2005
Poetry

So, somehow I keep finding myself with cat poetry. Poetry is not a favorite of mine, but how can I resist:

When she's in
She meows to be out
When she's out
She prefers to be in
Whatever, whichever, wherever

The poems are so simple, yet totally capture the essence of kittiness. Also beautifully illustrated in what appears to be watercolor. Super cute book!

[Carol Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations kept my attention and I usually love poetry in children's books but I have to admit these didn't really do it for me. I did really love looking through the whole book though to see Toots in action.

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cat poetry with simple illustrations about wraps up this book. I have already reviewed numerous that are the same kind of book as this one...or, in other words, it had a dime a dozen feeling to it.

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has a cat will adore this book.