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Houndsley and Catina #3
Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time
The creators of the E. B. White Read Aloud winner Houndsley and Catina offer a charming sequel about taking time out from the hustle and bustle.
The first snow of winter has fallen, and Houndsley is very happy, as he loves the quiet time. Catina does not like the quiet time, however, and she does not enjoy being snowed in. What about all her plans for the day? What if their evening concert has to be canceled? With a bit of pretending, a few books and board games, a flourish of creativity, and some time to dream, Houndsley helps Catina let go of her worries and enjoy the snowy day, wherever it might take them.
The first snow of winter has fallen, and Houndsley is very happy, as he loves the quiet time. Catina does not like the quiet time, however, and she does not enjoy being snowed in. What about all her plans for the day? What if their evening concert has to be canceled? With a bit of pretending, a few books and board games, a flourish of creativity, and some time to dream, Houndsley helps Catina let go of her worries and enjoy the snowy day, wherever it might take them.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published September 9, 2008
About the author
James Howe
198 books467 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 24, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this quiet little story. It's about a snow day and two friends being together enjoying doing quiet things. At first Catina was upset that the snow would keep them from doing so much stuff and then Houndsley showed her the enjoyable things they could do together.
I love that quiet with a big snow. It is one of life's joys. We are supposed to get snow this weekend, but being in the big industrial city, that quiet doesn't happen as much as my days in Michigan.
This is an excellent middle grade reader, probably grade 2-3. It is a wonderful little story.
I love that quiet with a big snow. It is one of life's joys. We are supposed to get snow this weekend, but being in the big industrial city, that quiet doesn't happen as much as my days in Michigan.
This is an excellent middle grade reader, probably grade 2-3. It is a wonderful little story.
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September 25, 2024
I’m so in love. This made my whole week— the snowy vibes, the aspects of quietness and stillness, beautiful meaningful conversations and quality time, and finally the lovely whimsical artwork! What a beautiful masterpiece.
(second read:) was feeling super overwhelmed and anxious, and that was a great help! my comfort zone♡♡♡
April 4, 2011
As friends Houndsley and Catina look forward to their upcoming concert, a snowstorm threatens to cancel the event. Catina is frustrated, but Houndsley is enthralled by the quiet beauty of the falling snow. By pretending they are stranded on an island, they find many happy ways to pass the time, and still manage to make their concert. Marie-Louise Gay's muted watercolors are a charming partner to the vivid imagery and lyrical language that make this early chapter book an absolute gem.
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July 15, 2019This is perfect for a snowy day ... or remembering a snowy day. In his quiet way, Houndsley draws Catina into the fun of enjoying the unexpected and invites us along, as well. The watercolor illustrations draw out the coolness of the season, yet make you feel warm inside, too. I was surprised, though that the readability level came out at the fourth grade.
What a refreshing story!
What a refreshing story!
December 26, 2015
This is my first Houndsely and Catina book....I have to say that my daughter and I and maybe most especially me just love these characters! I think the pictures are darling but the story is wonderful. Houndsley and Catina compliment each other so well and make such a wonderful story together. Everyone should have a best friend like this. I look forward to reading more books by this auther!
October 25, 2015
One of the interesting things about the Houndsley and Catina series is the "About the Author" section on the rear inside flap of the book jacket, which always includes a word from both the author and illustrator about what each particular book means to them. I like what James Howe has to say about the writing of Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time, that it is a reminder to himself, as well as to the many kids whose schedules are so overstuffed with activities that they're never able to stop moving, of the importance of allowing oneself some quiet time on a regular basis so as to give one's inner voice a chance to speak. Without time for deeper thought and consideration, the events of one's life have a way of whooshing by and beginning to melt all together as if they have no meaning apart from each other, and then there's no way to take a closer look at the things we have done and learn from them. Houndsley definitely understands this concept of the importance of introspection, and I really think that a greater number of kids do, too, than most adults might think.
As a slow but steady snowstorm falls outside, and Houndsley and Catina watch the tiny flakes pile up to become a very deep drift around Houndsley's house, Catina begins to worry about the concert that is planned for that night. She, Houndsley and all of their friends had been practicing so hard for it; what if it has to be canceled? There's no doubt that Houndsley and Catina are going to be snowed in together at Houndsley's house for quite a while, but what if the storm doesn't stop in time for the concert? Ever a ballast to Catina's fretfulness, Houndsley reminds her that whatever will happen with the concert is out of their hands, but the choice is theirs to enjoy the quiet day indoors for what it is while they have it. Though it may not be in Catina's nature to relax and go with the flow as easily as Houndsley, she eventually allows herself to be caught up in the quiet happiness of spending time alone with her friend, reading poetry together, eating lunch, and sitting by the warm, crackling fire. There's a positive energy to being up and around and doing things, making real, measurable progress in one's life, and this effect need not be downplayed, but it can be very nice, as well, just to let go of a day and not force it to become something great, as long as your companion for the day means as much to you as Houndsley and Catina do to each other. Speaking as a person who's never comfortable with not making clear personal progress for very long, I cannot think of a finer day than that.
Even after their quiet day has ended, the tranquil joy of time spent with a close friend lingers with Houndsley and Catina as they join the rest of their friends in an attempt to put on the concert for which they had all been practicing. A sublime day of rejuvenation and friendship spent indoors is capped off by an outdoors show that carries the unassuming nature of the snowy day through the air on the back of the sweet musical notes, combining the effort required to learn how to play it with the relaxation that allows one to perform at one's best. It is a day, and night, to be fondly remembered.
James Howe really knows how to tell all kinds of stories very well. In the Houndsley and Catina books, especially Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time, he manages to hold the interest of the very youngest of readers without using silly comedy or loud themes. He just lets Houndsley and Catina be themselves, trusting that it will be enough for the kids who read the books. And it really is. We learn a lot about the nature of friendship just by watching Houndsley and Catina interact, and I hope that there are many more books in the series to come, so that we have many more opportunities to learn from them. I would certainly consider giving two and a half stars to Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time.
As a slow but steady snowstorm falls outside, and Houndsley and Catina watch the tiny flakes pile up to become a very deep drift around Houndsley's house, Catina begins to worry about the concert that is planned for that night. She, Houndsley and all of their friends had been practicing so hard for it; what if it has to be canceled? There's no doubt that Houndsley and Catina are going to be snowed in together at Houndsley's house for quite a while, but what if the storm doesn't stop in time for the concert? Ever a ballast to Catina's fretfulness, Houndsley reminds her that whatever will happen with the concert is out of their hands, but the choice is theirs to enjoy the quiet day indoors for what it is while they have it. Though it may not be in Catina's nature to relax and go with the flow as easily as Houndsley, she eventually allows herself to be caught up in the quiet happiness of spending time alone with her friend, reading poetry together, eating lunch, and sitting by the warm, crackling fire. There's a positive energy to being up and around and doing things, making real, measurable progress in one's life, and this effect need not be downplayed, but it can be very nice, as well, just to let go of a day and not force it to become something great, as long as your companion for the day means as much to you as Houndsley and Catina do to each other. Speaking as a person who's never comfortable with not making clear personal progress for very long, I cannot think of a finer day than that.
Even after their quiet day has ended, the tranquil joy of time spent with a close friend lingers with Houndsley and Catina as they join the rest of their friends in an attempt to put on the concert for which they had all been practicing. A sublime day of rejuvenation and friendship spent indoors is capped off by an outdoors show that carries the unassuming nature of the snowy day through the air on the back of the sweet musical notes, combining the effort required to learn how to play it with the relaxation that allows one to perform at one's best. It is a day, and night, to be fondly remembered.
James Howe really knows how to tell all kinds of stories very well. In the Houndsley and Catina books, especially Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time, he manages to hold the interest of the very youngest of readers without using silly comedy or loud themes. He just lets Houndsley and Catina be themselves, trusting that it will be enough for the kids who read the books. And it really is. We learn a lot about the nature of friendship just by watching Houndsley and Catina interact, and I hope that there are many more books in the series to come, so that we have many more opportunities to learn from them. I would certainly consider giving two and a half stars to Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time.
April 4, 2011
We just love love love the Houndsley and Catina series by James Howe and Marie-Louise Gay. The collaboration has resulted in four (and hopefully more to come!) stories that are simple, contemplative and heartwarming. They are truly a joy to read aloud. This story centers around a winter storm, and while Catina is frantic about all of the things she is missing, Houndsley reminds her of the simple joy of enjoying the quiet and simply surrendering to the beauty of the storm. This is a perfect book to read on a cold and snowy winter day.
"There's nothing to do but enjoy it. Isn't it beautiful?"
"There's nothing to do but enjoy it. Isn't it beautiful?"
March 27, 2013
This was my first experience with a Houndsley and Catina book and I fell in love! Such a sweet story that is simple yet rich in illustrating the truly meaningful things in life. As someone who loves and performs music, I also particularly appreciate the sub-story about how music brings people together and can express and magnify the beauty around us. I was captivated by the way the author and illustrator quietly celebrate the peacefulness of slowing down. I love the subtlety of the artwork - very interesting colors and textures in among the more muted drawings, and not at all kid-ified, for lack of a better word. (not that I don't love the bright bold colors of more traditional kids' illustrations but I do think that we often underestimate kids' ability and desire for complexity in art and music). Can you tell I loved it?
November 8, 2009
What a nice "quiet" book for bedtime. Houndsley and Catina are practicing for the concert but it looks like they might get snowed in. Catina starts to worry about all the things she can't do when they are stuck in the house, like go home to curl her whiskers and put on a dress for the concert, but Houndsley reminds her to focus on the fun things they can do when it is snowing and quite. Like bake cookies and write poems and read them to each other which my daughter said she wanted to do today! A new favorite!
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February 3, 2016there are some great lines in this book about a music concert in the snow...
Houndsley began to worry that Bert would ruin everything. Bert's only part was to play tie final note of the final piece of music. how awful, Houndsley thought, to end the evening with a crash.
But when the last note came, it was not a crash or a clash or a boom or a bang. It was the closest that cymbals can come to silence. It sounded like a chime in the wind. It lingered and floated and fell into the quiet time. 37 -38
Houndsley began to worry that Bert would ruin everything. Bert's only part was to play tie final note of the final piece of music. how awful, Houndsley thought, to end the evening with a crash.
But when the last note came, it was not a crash or a clash or a boom or a bang. It was the closest that cymbals can come to silence. It sounded like a chime in the wind. It lingered and floated and fell into the quiet time. 37 -38
December 27, 2010
I adore books like this: Beautiful, calming narratives enriched by like illustrations. A (5y) got this in her stocking and read it to herself first, but then asked me to read it aloud with her later that day. N (7y) listened in, and they both engaged with the story by asking questions and suggesting related scenarios. It has a lovely ending that might send you into the kitchen to heat up some cocoa if not bake some cookies.
January 10, 2012
The Houndsley and Catina series is a wonderful collection of books that focus on friendship and the quotidian activities of children. This lovely book made me want to curl up with cocoa and cookies and enjoy a quiet winter afternoon. It is a great book to use with kindergarten and first grade because students are able to make many text-to-self connection.
August 3, 2016
Though I love the original Houndsley and Catina most of all (one of my favorite early readers--a format I read extensively), this one is delightful! The mood is palpable and the character are charming. The author also weaves details masterfully through such a simple form. And then there are the illustrations--a perfect companion to the text. Love it! I'll be reading this one over and over.
January 28, 2009
Houndsley and Catina are wonderful characters but I really like this book when they have a snow day and Catina is getting a little worried about their concert. I think this is a fun book for a kid when their is the hopes of a snow day.
May 18, 2011
Love it! Love the cute relationship this dog and cat have. Love that they are stuck inside during a snow storm and find fun things to do together that aren't TV. They pretended that they were on an island. It is just cute! I wanted to hang out with them.
March 4, 2013
45 months - we've read a few of these short chapter books and enjoyed them. Being fairly quiet people this one was particularly fitting. We also enjoy Marie-Louise Gay's illustrations... A Canadian author illustrator we have read many of her Stella books.
March 26, 2014
It's really snowing outside and Catina is fretting. Houndsley teaches her how to enjoy the "quiet time" and finds fun things for them to do indoors. Great story to read when there is a blizzard raging outside.
December 28, 2016
My daughter received this book as a gift, so we had to read it together. A sweet story, and perfect for a cold winter night. The gentle text reminds you how to slow down on a snowy day and enjoy the quiet, the peace, staying home, enjoying the solitude, and even baking cookies.
September 27, 2008
Sweet, quiet, beautiful illustrations. Houndsley and Catina make me excited for a big snow storm!
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March 15, 20090-7
December 22, 2008
Beautiful story about a quiet, snowy, winter day. These books are so gentle. And I was pleased to see it recognized as a best book of 2008 by School Library Journal!
September 16, 2009
really boring.
August 7, 2017
cutest book EVER. thanks karen!
March 10, 2010
Just lovely! Needed this book during our blizzard of 2010. :)
May 12, 2012
The three little chapters in this book are sweet and thoughtful. The illustrations are beautiful. Perfect for first and second graders.
January 16, 2013
A very nice early chapter book.
December 17, 2013
My kids really liked this book a lot.
July 10, 2015
2nd gr TC trade book
November 17, 2016
I want to be snowed in with cookies, poetry, and a good friend.
Read with Julia.
Read with Julia.
May 16, 2017
Even better than Houndsley and Catina, if that's possible! I simply love each and every Bohemian outfit that Catina wears. I love that the friends take opportunity to put the other first.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews