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Puss in Boots
A Caldecott Honor book (1953)
The youngest son inherits a cat and realizes that after eating it he will have nothing left. Crafty Puss in Boots tells his master to do as he says and all will be well, and indeed it is. Puss, with his fine red boots, is shown as a grand swashbuckling character who takes command of all the folderol of the French court.
The youngest son inherits a cat and realizes that after eating it he will have nothing left. Crafty Puss in Boots tells his master to do as he says and all will be well, and indeed it is. Puss, with his fine red boots, is shown as a grand swashbuckling character who takes command of all the folderol of the French court.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1952
1 person is currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Brown
37 books55 followersAn American children's book author and illustrator, and a high school teacher, Marcia Brown was born in Rochester, New York in 1918, and was educated at The New York State College for Teachers (now University at Albany). She taught at Cornwall High School in New York City, and published her first book, The Little Carousel, in 1946. She wrote and illustrated more than thirty books for children over the course of her career, winning three Caldecott Medals and six Caldecott Honors, as well as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal and the Regina Medal. She died in 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 7, 2019
I know there are many versions of Puss and Boots out there. I know I read this story as a child, but I don’t know which version I read back then. I believe many illustrators use this Charles Perrault story and they illustrate it themselves. It’s been quite a while since I read this and honestly, I had forgotten what much of the story is about.
It’s no wonder Puss in Boots is such a lasting story. It is charming and Puss is quite the manipulator. A farmer dies and leaves his children a mill, an ass and a cat. The youngest thinks he is doomed with only a cat, but that cat gets him a princess. It’s a marvelous story. I remember enjoying it as a child and it is enjoyable as an adult.
Marcia Brown did the artwork for this version. She chose to go with a more minimal approach here. It also almost looks like charcoal in places. It is lovely art and the hair of the young boy is gorgeous. I would have thought it would have been more elaborate, but it works and the story is so good that the art works great anyway.
The nephew loves this story. He loves Puss now and the way he could make things happen. He gave this 5 stars. The niece thought it was a clever story. She didn’t like the artwork so much, so she gave it 3 stars.
It’s no wonder Puss in Boots is such a lasting story. It is charming and Puss is quite the manipulator. A farmer dies and leaves his children a mill, an ass and a cat. The youngest thinks he is doomed with only a cat, but that cat gets him a princess. It’s a marvelous story. I remember enjoying it as a child and it is enjoyable as an adult.
Marcia Brown did the artwork for this version. She chose to go with a more minimal approach here. It also almost looks like charcoal in places. It is lovely art and the hair of the young boy is gorgeous. I would have thought it would have been more elaborate, but it works and the story is so good that the art works great anyway.
The nephew loves this story. He loves Puss now and the way he could make things happen. He gave this 5 stars. The niece thought it was a clever story. She didn’t like the artwork so much, so she gave it 3 stars.
November 4, 2017
Caldecott Honor 1953
What a sly and deceitful cat!
Text 3 stars
Illustrations 2 stars
What a sly and deceitful cat!
Text 3 stars
Illustrations 2 stars
August 23, 2019
This is a great story, but that credit doesn't go to Brown. The illustrations were fine, but not spectacular, and very much of their time.
July 1, 2015
This is an award winning book that was a nice read. It’s about a man who dies and had just enough things for his three sons. One got the barn, another a mule, and the last a cat, which makes him sad about getting so little. But the cat the youngest son receives is able to do all these mischievous things and threats, helping his Lord be married to a princess. The story is good, one that will capture boys attention, and also keep girls entertained as well – though it could easily be seen as more of a boys’ book. The pictures are drawn in minimalist style, rarely any outlines drawn, with the most detail going into Puss in Boots and clothing of richer people. Bright vibrant colors are used, looking almost rashly drawn. It’s a fun book, maybe not a lot could be learned from it, but it’s an easy read that is not too text heavy.
January 12, 2013
This beloved story is a bit of a surprise for a children's favorite, since the cat uses deceit (imaginative no less) to advance his master's fortunes, and the master-turned-marquis never sets the record straight. So this probably isn't the best story to use in the module on the virtue of integrity. Suspending that complaint, it is an enjoyable story, but Marcia Brown's pen & ink with spare use of color is what makes it take off in her masterful creations on the white pages. So I would differ with the reviewer who said, "Great story, bad art." The story is okay, but the drawings are powerful, evocative and expressive. For another version of the story, I would strongly recommend the version illustrated by Fred Marcellino.
August 20, 2013
This has been the hardest Caldecott book to get to date. It took me three attemps at Interlibrary loan before they finally sent me the correct title. This book won a 1953 Caldecott Honor and is definitely one of the better ones from that year. Marcia Brown's illustrations are very similar to the ones for her 1955 Caldecott-winning book "Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper," another Charles Perrault classic. The illustrator also provides the translation used for the book. As I have previously reviewed a Puss in Boots book recently (the 1991 illustrated by Fred Marcellino version: http://librarymom12.wordpress.com/201...) , please see that one for the story of the book. Recommended for ages 4-7, 3 stars.
October 4, 2017
I love this story, but I’m not especially fond of this version’s illustrations. They don’t really grab my attention and in some of them, the details are unclear. I do like the look on the cat’s face on the front cover - as though he knows many things we don’t - but not much else spoke to me about this one.
May 31, 2012
Great story, bad art. Simple line drawings are colored with greys, yellows, and reds that look much like a child's coloring book: half colored and out of the lines. There are much better illustrated version of this tale.
February 18, 2012
Caldecott Honor - 1953
I am trying to remember what other versions of Puss in Boots that I have read to think about how it compares - just not sure about this version.
I am trying to remember what other versions of Puss in Boots that I have read to think about how it compares - just not sure about this version.
January 2, 2018
Lovely distinctive illustrations with lots of color.
February 14, 2018
The classic tale of the fancy cat is made much fancier with mid-century illustrations from Marcia Brown. I love the movement of her brightly colored illustrations.
March 10, 2024
The classic French fairytale, Puss in Boots, is translated into English and illustrated by the marvelous Marcia Brown in this lovely picture book. Coming to the youngest of three sons as an inheritance, the eponymous feline hero manages to transform his human's fortunes through his clever schemes. Reinventing his human as the Marquis de Carabas, Puss manages to convince the king of France that his master is a great and wealthy nobleman, eventually winning the estate and castle of an ogre for him, as well as the hand of the king's daughter...
Published in 1952, Puss in Boots is a translation of the original tale, Le Maître chat ou le Chat botté, as written by seventeenth-century French author Charles Perrault, whose work has also given us popular versions of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. Brown's telling here is engaging, and her accompanying artwork delightful. It's easy to see why this was a Caldecott Honor book in 1953! As with Brown's Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper , which won the Caldecott Medal in 1955, I found the artist's use of color here appealing, and appreciated her elegantly stylized figures. Recommended to young fairy and folktale lovers, and to any picture book readers looking for retellings of the traditional story of Puss in Boots.
Published in 1952, Puss in Boots is a translation of the original tale, Le Maître chat ou le Chat botté, as written by seventeenth-century French author Charles Perrault, whose work has also given us popular versions of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. Brown's telling here is engaging, and her accompanying artwork delightful. It's easy to see why this was a Caldecott Honor book in 1953! As with Brown's Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper , which won the Caldecott Medal in 1955, I found the artist's use of color here appealing, and appreciated her elegantly stylized figures. Recommended to young fairy and folktale lovers, and to any picture book readers looking for retellings of the traditional story of Puss in Boots.
October 21, 2023
Traditional Literature
K-3rd grade
This does a pretty good job telling the original tale, but it was written in 1952 and its age can be seen in the language, which would need to cleaned up a little for today. The story is a little long, and at certain parts some descriptions of the characters might need some more explanation. The illustrations are where this book really shines. The simple color palate combined with the way lines and curves are used make the pictures stand out as they provide context to the story. I think this book was good for the time it was written, but there are more appropriate versions available today.
K-3rd grade
This does a pretty good job telling the original tale, but it was written in 1952 and its age can be seen in the language, which would need to cleaned up a little for today. The story is a little long, and at certain parts some descriptions of the characters might need some more explanation. The illustrations are where this book really shines. The simple color palate combined with the way lines and curves are used make the pictures stand out as they provide context to the story. I think this book was good for the time it was written, but there are more appropriate versions available today.
February 25, 2026
Grade: K-3rd
Genre: Fiction (fairytale/folklore)
The story of Puss in Boots is a classic, but this was actually my first time ever reading the story since I had only ever watched the movie. I thought that this specific version was full of so many fantastic illustrations, especially considering the time in which it was translated. I think that this book was overall an easy and attention-grabbing read!
Genre: Fiction (fairytale/folklore)
The story of Puss in Boots is a classic, but this was actually my first time ever reading the story since I had only ever watched the movie. I thought that this specific version was full of so many fantastic illustrations, especially considering the time in which it was translated. I think that this book was overall an easy and attention-grabbing read!
September 26, 2017
A Caldecott Honor book.
I was familiar with the title of the story, but not the story. It's okay.
I was familiar with the title of the story, but not the story. It's okay.
March 30, 2018
What a magical cat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 26, 2019
A beautifully illustrated version of the classic tale of a boot wearing cat who helps his master gain fame and fortune.
September 16, 2021
Very interesting and quirky illustrations by Marcia Brown. It was a pleasure to read the story again accompanied by such beauty.
October 27, 2021
I love the story and illustrations of Puss in Boots.
November 5, 2024
Puss in Boots story with illustrations by Marcia Brown. The drawings are typical of the artist’s other books. Caldecott Honor Book
August 11, 2012
1953 Caldecott Honor
Favorite line: "If you do not, you will be chopped into mincemeat." Violent I know, but I thought kids would giggle at that one.
Favorite llustration: I liked the last page, which is also the cover art, where he's dressed in all his finery.
Kid-appeal: The story of Puss in Boots is rather odd. Probably not worth seeking out in my opinion.
Favorite line: "If you do not, you will be chopped into mincemeat." Violent I know, but I thought kids would giggle at that one.
Favorite llustration: I liked the last page, which is also the cover art, where he's dressed in all his finery.
Kid-appeal: The story of Puss in Boots is rather odd. Probably not worth seeking out in my opinion.
November 2, 2023
In spite of my disdain for cats, I really do love the story of Puss in Boots. I don't know if I just think it's comical that a cat threatens people, or that he's so clever with every piece of the story, or the oddness of the ogre, but I just love it! I like the pictures in the other Caldecott of this story better than this one, but this one is all right.
May 15, 2011
Caldecott honor
July 15, 2013
1953 Caldecott Honor
January 14, 2014
This book is great! Although it may need some interpretation, for the language used may not be what students are accustomed to.
March 17, 2015
I love the story of Puss in Boots but the art here is absolutely terrible.
April 13, 2020
Caldecott Honor 1953
Originally read November 22, 2019
Originally read November 22, 2019
December 16, 2017
• 1953 Caldecott Honor Book •
I’ve read several versions of Puss in Boots. I like this one. The art is unusual - if you take away the color, the line drawings are amazingly simple, and it takes a lot of talent to create a recognizable shape with a few pen strokes. That being said, the art is somewhat dated - especially the colors.
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
I’ve read several versions of Puss in Boots. I like this one. The art is unusual - if you take away the color, the line drawings are amazingly simple, and it takes a lot of talent to create a recognizable shape with a few pen strokes. That being said, the art is somewhat dated - especially the colors.
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews