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Boris, der Kater
Boris the Cat - The Little Cat with Big Ideas
Beloved Austrian author/illustrator Erwin Moser’s Boris stories—told with humor and heart—all in one volume for the first time in English
Boris is a special cat! Be it spring, summer, fall, or winter, Boris and his friends experience big and little adventures every day, often without even looking for them!
From driving a bathtub to pretending to be a scarecrow to helping a friend, these charming comic-book style mini-stories—told in six pictures—are perfect for read aloud and beginning reader fun.
"Children and adults will both appreciate these morsels of masterful ministorytelling." -Kirkus Reviews
Boris is a special cat! Be it spring, summer, fall, or winter, Boris and his friends experience big and little adventures every day, often without even looking for them!
From driving a bathtub to pretending to be a scarecrow to helping a friend, these charming comic-book style mini-stories—told in six pictures—are perfect for read aloud and beginning reader fun.
"Children and adults will both appreciate these morsels of masterful ministorytelling." -Kirkus Reviews
136 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 22, 2021
This 136 page book contains two-page stories featuring Boris the Cat. Each story is exactly six panels long, with text below each panel. The stories are tiny adventures where Boris, along with other animal friends, uses his ingenuity to solve a problem, and they all have happy endings. Divided into sections by season, Boris picks flowers, or takes a ride in a homemade plane, picks a heavy box full of apples, or bakes Christmas cookies for Bruno the bear. Each story is charming, optimistic and shows Boris’s unending pluck.
These “comic-book-style mini-stories” are charming and funny. Moser’s art, which appears to be pen and watercolor, are incredibly sweet, and are all set in the country with lots of other animal friends. Holly the Hedgehog is a frequent con-conspirator and helps Boris try to make the best of every situation. I can imagine these stories being just right for an animal loving early reader, or a “just one more!” bedtime ritual. There’s an Afterword which remembers the author.
These “comic-book-style mini-stories” are charming and funny. Moser’s art, which appears to be pen and watercolor, are incredibly sweet, and are all set in the country with lots of other animal friends. Holly the Hedgehog is a frequent con-conspirator and helps Boris try to make the best of every situation. I can imagine these stories being just right for an animal loving early reader, or a “just one more!” bedtime ritual. There’s an Afterword which remembers the author.
November 9, 2021
My daughter and I really loved this children's book, which has lovely comic strip style illustrations, and simple, easy to read text. There are lots of little stories in the book, each with a certain amount of illustrations. Each story is about Boris and the adventures he has with his friends, and with objects that he finds. The book is quite funny and it is heart-warming and cute. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2024
A good collection of short animal adventures. The stories are very simple, sometimes with a fun twist or two. The book is divided into fourths, each corresponding to one of the four seasons, but if I could switch the placement of two stories to help with the flow I would switch The Brooms and The Picnic. An easy read slice of life book; it’s great to read during breaks short or long, but the stories aren’t the kind that really grab your attention.
September 18, 2021
DNF - but blame netgalley for that.
"The little cat with big ideas"? Well, that's a lie of a subtitle and no mistake. In the bits of this I saw – and it really should have been flagged up that I was only getting a quarter of the book – it's an owl's idea where Boris lives, it's a mouse that causes an adventure with a car tyre, a floral welcome for a friend was by accident, the hedgehog invents the helicopter, and a lot of the causes of the other tales are the wind or the rain. Boris's ideas are so low on the ground, any other reviewer would make a British political comparison. Certainly there is so much weather on these pages you'd think this a British book, feeding the stereotype that that's all we ever talk about to each other. What it is is a selection of six-panel cartoon strips featuring the cat and other animal friends, and there's very little here to actually laugh at, or love. If people deem this a classic, then fair play to them, but I really cannot see anything like that amount of appeal.
"The little cat with big ideas"? Well, that's a lie of a subtitle and no mistake. In the bits of this I saw – and it really should have been flagged up that I was only getting a quarter of the book – it's an owl's idea where Boris lives, it's a mouse that causes an adventure with a car tyre, a floral welcome for a friend was by accident, the hedgehog invents the helicopter, and a lot of the causes of the other tales are the wind or the rain. Boris's ideas are so low on the ground, any other reviewer would make a British political comparison. Certainly there is so much weather on these pages you'd think this a British book, feeding the stereotype that that's all we ever talk about to each other. What it is is a selection of six-panel cartoon strips featuring the cat and other animal friends, and there's very little here to actually laugh at, or love. If people deem this a classic, then fair play to them, but I really cannot see anything like that amount of appeal.
October 6, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books, Inc. for a copy of "Boris the Cat - The Little Cat with Big Ideas".
This book has cute illustrations and an appealing format. Boris is a fun character who has some grand adventures. He meets some wonderful characters along the way. Owl helps him find a new house. Frog uses a baby carriage as a boat. When flowers fall off his wagon, his friend wildcat thought it was a carpet of flowers to welcome him. Hedgehog builds a helicopter. Seagull uses an umbrella as a canopy over nest. When Boris goes camping with Hedgehog wind grabs their tent and they end up flying back to Holly's house. Sophie the squirrel give Boris a gift of a goldfish. Thinking that the fish needed more space to swim, Boris takes it to the river and the goldfish swims away. Alex the frog promises to look after the goldfish. Holly has bought a new table and Boris helped her take it home. When they got caught in a storm they use it as shelter. Then they have fun using it as a slide. They follow up with a snack.
Boris has adventures in all four seasons - opening the conversation to discussing the seasons. It's a great book to read aloud and a good first reader for beginning readers.
This book has cute illustrations and an appealing format. Boris is a fun character who has some grand adventures. He meets some wonderful characters along the way. Owl helps him find a new house. Frog uses a baby carriage as a boat. When flowers fall off his wagon, his friend wildcat thought it was a carpet of flowers to welcome him. Hedgehog builds a helicopter. Seagull uses an umbrella as a canopy over nest. When Boris goes camping with Hedgehog wind grabs their tent and they end up flying back to Holly's house. Sophie the squirrel give Boris a gift of a goldfish. Thinking that the fish needed more space to swim, Boris takes it to the river and the goldfish swims away. Alex the frog promises to look after the goldfish. Holly has bought a new table and Boris helped her take it home. When they got caught in a storm they use it as shelter. Then they have fun using it as a slide. They follow up with a snack.
Boris has adventures in all four seasons - opening the conversation to discussing the seasons. It's a great book to read aloud and a good first reader for beginning readers.
October 30, 2021
Zero to 1 star for lack of content
4 stars for the content I DID get
Well, this was a huge disappointment. Over half of the book is missing, so I only got a teeny glimpse of what would have been a thoroughly enjoyable book about a fun and resourceful cat and all his friends and their adventures. I am deeply disappointed in this turn of events. If I were to rate this simply on the teeny amount of content I received, it would clearly be 1 star or less, but because I was quite simply charmed by the content I DID get, I will conditionally give this 4 stars [but it is very reluctantly]. What a huge disappointment.
Thank you to NetGalley, Erwin Moser, Alastair Beacon [Translator] and NorthSouth Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars for the content I DID get
Well, this was a huge disappointment. Over half of the book is missing, so I only got a teeny glimpse of what would have been a thoroughly enjoyable book about a fun and resourceful cat and all his friends and their adventures. I am deeply disappointed in this turn of events. If I were to rate this simply on the teeny amount of content I received, it would clearly be 1 star or less, but because I was quite simply charmed by the content I DID get, I will conditionally give this 4 stars [but it is very reluctantly]. What a huge disappointment.
Thank you to NetGalley, Erwin Moser, Alastair Beacon [Translator] and NorthSouth Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2021
Princess Fuzzypants here: I do enjoy reading and reviewing children’s stories that have kitties as the lead character. Boris is quite a cat. Not only is he a ginger tabby, like me, he has lots of friends and gets involved in all sorts of things. He is quite a busy cat.
His stories are told in very short anecdotes with lots of adorable pictures. I think this would be an excellent book for parents who are transitioning their children to reading books by themselves. It would also be a good bedtime book as each segment is short and can be tailored to the situation. Four purrs and two paws up.
His stories are told in very short anecdotes with lots of adorable pictures. I think this would be an excellent book for parents who are transitioning their children to reading books by themselves. It would also be a good bedtime book as each segment is short and can be tailored to the situation. Four purrs and two paws up.
July 26, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from NorthSouth Books through Picture Book Palooza.
Moser's stories have been translated into English for the first time. Each is told in a series of six cartoon cels. Young readers can finish an entire story in a page spread. As you would expect in a book of short stories, some are better than others, but all of them show Boris' character and care for others and himself. The detailed drawings capture the humor and fun involved in each short story. Great bedtime story book for families.
Moser's stories have been translated into English for the first time. Each is told in a series of six cartoon cels. Young readers can finish an entire story in a page spread. As you would expect in a book of short stories, some are better than others, but all of them show Boris' character and care for others and himself. The detailed drawings capture the humor and fun involved in each short story. Great bedtime story book for families.
September 17, 2021
This would make wonderful independent reading practice for new readers. Boris is a cute, lively cat who finds himself in lots of fun adventures. Each story is told in 6 panels of artwork. With simple language reflected in the pictures, young readers can practice decoding while using the illustrations as reference.
I would definitely keep this on a classroom bookshelf or encourage kids to check out a copy for home in order to gain experience and confidence reading simple stories by themselves.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
I would definitely keep this on a classroom bookshelf or encourage kids to check out a copy for home in order to gain experience and confidence reading simple stories by themselves.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
September 26, 2021
A big thank you to NetGalley and North South Books for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I actually believe that this is a sample. I did not get all the stories listed. This is a children's book. This is a cute "comic" like book in short clips or cartoon fashion. Boris is ok but he is not really an ideas guy-he is a follower. I read this in german long long ago, so it is nice that it is now translated. I think the graphics make the stories easier for kids to understand. 4 stars. This wouldn't be my first choice but I think many kids will enjoy the short clips.
October 12, 2021
This is a charming cartoon-like picture book that looks perfect for a toddler. The cover engages readers right away with Boris traveling in the bathtub. The included tales follow the seasons. They have engaging illustrations and stories that are simple and short, perfect for a little one’s attention span.
A note explains that these stories are newly released in English. I am glad that they were.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
A note explains that these stories are newly released in English. I am glad that they were.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
September 17, 2021
Funny first reader for beginning readers! The stories ar short and illustrations are a hoot. I am pretty sure even younger children will enjoy hearing the stories read to them. Great book! Great addtion to a classroom or library.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
September 26, 2021
(I read the arc in exchange of a review)
This book is a very well illustrated compilation of small stories about a cat and his friends finding the positive in every situation.
This is a perfect book for small children, or even bigger ones who want to learn how to read.
I think this is very cute and deserve a five stars review :)
This book is a very well illustrated compilation of small stories about a cat and his friends finding the positive in every situation.
This is a perfect book for small children, or even bigger ones who want to learn how to read.
I think this is very cute and deserve a five stars review :)
October 13, 2021
A very sweet book with gorgeous pictures. The book contains many short stories that are perfect for a young child’s attention span. My grandson, who is 5, enjoyed that we could read just a little story at a time and have endless conversations about the pictures. Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook version of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2021
Boris is the little adventurer and has a lot of things happen to him and his animal friends. With brief stories told in comic strip fashion, my daughter enjoyed it very much. A perfect book for her since she loves animals.
Thank you Netgalley and NorthSouth Books for the opportunity to read this book.
Thank you Netgalley and NorthSouth Books for the opportunity to read this book.
February 1, 2022
This is a delightful collection of two page comics starring Boris and his cast of friends. Boris gets into all sorts of whimsical adventures, but each resolves with a reassuring conclusion. Sweet and creative, with fun characters!
Humane families note: Boris performs in a circus with an elephant in one comic. (Thankfully, animal circuses are not a recurring theme.)
Humane families note: Boris performs in a circus with an elephant in one comic. (Thankfully, animal circuses are not a recurring theme.)
July 24, 2022
In short six panel strips Moser tells 63 short adventures about Boris and his forest neighbors, who are all also his friends. Potential dangers are always resolved safely because of their mutual readiness to help each other out. These are all very gentle reassuring tales that beginning readers will relish.
xx-dnf-skim-reference
December 16, 2023I, personally, found the stories that I attempted (a good quarter of them) boring. Absolutely nothing to chew on, think about, remember. Maybe they'd be fun to share, talk about, a very few at a time... ask the child if they'd like to ride an upside-down table down a hill, or have their bathtub turned into an auto....
Dec. 2023
Dec. 2023
September 17, 2021
Boris the cat gets bored quite often, he would go on trips all the time, he was quite the little adventurer, you know. Kids, up aboard and let this little dude take you on a journey, a surprisingly adventurous one, you are sure to have fun while traveling with him.
September 17, 2021
While reading Boris the cat the layout reminded me of comic strips. The illustrations really colourful and the writing is underneath and there is not many lines it’s very cute book.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this.
September 20, 2021
A very cute and lively story, featuring Boris the Cat in comic strip form. Each story shows Boris in different seasons/weather out and about and helping other animals he comes upon. Lots of fun. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 14, 2021
Boris the Cat is an illustrated collection of short little stories (6 pictures each) by Austrian author Erwin Moser. These are cute and quick reads each and perfect for children with short attention spans. Despite only having 6 pages to each story, Moser still manages to tell a tale with each!
November 17, 2021
A six-paneled comic strip that delight me so much. Told in an easy-to-read way, for both adults and kids, this book doesn't feel old. Written by Austrian author/illustration for quite so long ago, the story still can talk to us. I really enjoyed reading this book.
April 9, 2025
This is a really good book. It’s actually a collection of smaller stories which gives you the ability to use this book through multiple days. There are about 100 and about 132 stories in the book so you can read them all at one time or you can read one or two a day
November 25, 2021
A children's book formatted in 6 panel short stories featuring Boris the Cat and his friends. A gentle read with some chuckles over Boris' misadventures. (part of prize pack of children's books)
December 6, 2022
I received an eARC courtesy of NorthSouth Books.
New goal: Underground library-why isn't this a thing?!
New goal: Underground library-why isn't this a thing?!
February 25, 2026
Loved this sweet book. The drawings, the stories. Wish more books were like this.
November 10, 2021
My students love graphic novels and comic books. This book is written in comic-book-style mini stories in six pictures. Perfect to read aloud for beginning reader fun. I know my younger readers are going to love it.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews