Modern First Editions: Their Value to Collectors

by Carol P. Saul, Mary Azarian (Illustrator)

Because she's looking for something special, the great barn cat notices but shows no interest in the activities of the animals which can be counted around her

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Counting, Cats, Mathematics, Storytime

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Alexandra Beckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book for ages 2-5. Rhyming, counting, and repetitive sing-song similar to Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute with very unique art

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely woodcut pictures.

[Scott Cahalan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for preschool age children.

[Michelle Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that provides counting and rhyming. Although illustrations are dated and drab, this was a fun book. Book did have various animal and objects to allow for questions.

[Mayra Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to children when teaching them how to count. I would read this to children in my classroom from ages 3 and up. A barn cat who is counting things he sees in his barn.

[Yaricsa Lizama · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well-illustrated book. It is a book about a cat exploring nature. While the cat explores the book uses counting to count many insects and animals.

[Dina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute counting book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous woodcuts.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

a barn cat goes through her day counting different objects and friends. preschool and up

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read at Charles & Joann Lester Library in Nekoosa, WI (rhyming and counting book)

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Because she's looking for something special, the great barn cat notices but shows no interest in the activities of the animals which can be counted around her.

Good counting book to use with preschool storytime. Each page has 1-2 sentences in rhyme. Numbers are on each page and children can help count the number of animals mentioned on each page. Children can also repeat phrase "Barn cat, what are you looking for?" Also fun to see if kids can find the cat on each page. Most pages he is obvious to see but on others no so much ( dragonflies, we can only see his reflection in the water).

"Barn cat at the red barn door,
Barn cat, what are you looking for?

"Barn cat still at the red barn door,
Barn cat, what are you looking for?
Three black-and orange butterflies?

Barn cat blinks her yellow eyes.
Upon a leaf they light and stay,
Then wave their wings and fly away."

Story time themes: counting, cats, farms, bugs
animals and bugs the cat counts - grasshopper, crickets, butterflies, swallows, bumblebees, dragonflies, songbirds, puppies, chicks, sparrows

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library last week. He likes counting books, and, also, our Chloe Cat looks like that big, fat farm cat on the cover.

The rhyming was a bit awkward, but what I found even more disconcerting is how the refrain stopped abruptly. At least with the refrain, there was a comfort in the repetition. The story itself was not especially good.

The artwork was good, for the most part. The last few illustrations were strangely weak.


Actual rating: 2.5 stars, but I round up.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this counting book, Barn Cat sits in the barn doorway, apparently waiting for something. But it's not the 1 grasshopper -- she lets it hop behind a tree. It's definitely not the 8 puppies -- she hisses at them. What could it be?

You'll find out once you count up to 10 in Carol P. Saul's lilting rhyming text. The real stars of this book, however, are Mary Azarian's exquisite woodcut illustrations. The butterfly and bee spreads are particularly gorgeous.

[Sabrina Henry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a cat looking out her owner and counting things as she waits. I didn't like it much. It seems to be a kind of counting book but I don't think it would have grabbed young children's attention. The story seemed to be all over the place, I, as an adult, could barely concentrate so I wonder how the young children would feel. The words were also too long or too advance for children to be bale to focus on them along with the counting aspect.

[Scott Roark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cat in the story looks for animals as they hop and fly away around the barn. Book is a good resource for reinforcing counting and rhyming. Acitivities to include, children pretending to be an animal on the farm and could describe their daily routine and what animals they encounter. Students could try to write their own number book using rhymes and a different setting. Students could also focus on the sequencing of the story and practice writing a story map.

[Terry]

There are many books available on counting and while this one is fun, it didn't catch toddler's attention as well as some others.

[Tammy Hanchett]

Little, Brown and Company, Boston:1998
ISBN# 0-316-76113-3
A great book, my son loved it. A great barn cat notices but shows no interest in activites of the animals, which can be noticed.
Grade:- Pre-K-1
Uses: Counting, Bright illustrations, animals, read aloud.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A counting book that will entice younger readers, who doesn't love an animal as a main character? The illustrations could also entice older students who need practice with sequencing. Students could extend the book or have a different main character teach counting.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable counting book; I love Mary Azarian's illustrations! My son thoroughly enjoyed it as well, perhaps because this barn cat resembles his barn cat. ;) Methinks this will be one to add to our home library.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book has that rare quality of being enjoyable for both kids and adults to read again and again and again. The illustrations are fabulous.

[Lucia Benzor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never would have thought it had a math theme to it. The pictures were great, it rhymed and had a nice flow to it, too. You could really have this in a math center.

[Kelsey Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the pictures

[Cya]

Haven't you wondered what the world looks like from a cats perspective? No? Well I have so I like this book. Good book for rhyming and counting. Also can be used for story mapping.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty, stained-glass style illustrations with a counting theme.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice rhyme, and love Azarian's wood cut illustrations (as always).

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great verse, fun to read.

[Cindra · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can make me grow old, but I refuse to grow up. This was the most beautifully illustrated book. Loved it.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story with lovely illustrations.

[EchoHouseLibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictures are charming!