Stretchy and Beanie

by Judy Schachner

What's an independent cat to do when his friend decides she's the leader of their pack? This story of friendship and power dynamics is a read-aloud joy.

Beanie, a ginger-haired girl with a fierce heart, is the perfect pal for her newfound companion, Stretchy McHandsome the cat. That is, until Beanie gets it into her head that she should teach Stretchy how to be a perfect pet . Her lessons really curl his whiskers, and when hiding from Beanie isn't enough, he has to take an even bigger leap. Then it's Beanie who needs a lesson of her how to be an accepting friend rather than a bossy-boots.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

Judith Byron "Judy" Schachner is an American children's writer and illustrator. Her works include the Skippyjon Jones series. Schachner lives in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bob, and a dog and her two Siamese cats.

Reviews

[Katie T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome illustrations, perfect for cat lovers 😻

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book had more depth than the first. I love it a lot but maybe I'm a little biasesed.
Hard not to love something when your boyfriend reads it to you in a Scottish accent that's the rip-off of David Tennant's Scrooge McDuck.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book that teaches a great lesson about allowing everyone to be their best selves without our interference into what that might be. I must admit though that I do really want to read the first book, Stretchy McHandsome because I want to know more about the McHandsome Clan and the McBrights. But, enjoying the book for itself was so much fun, especially since we all know a Beanie. My favorite page is when you have to twist the book to see the stroller going down the street! It's a surprise and Stretchy's expression is priceless! A very fun read.

[Leslie Sachlis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A excellent rhyming story for cat lovers about expectations. Beanie loves Stretchy, so much that she wants to train him to become the perfect pet. The rhymes keep the story moving. Will Stretchy become the perfect pet? What does he think about the idea?

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! What a cute book!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Stretchy McHandsome. Lovey illustrations. Fun cat book! In this one, Beanie must learn that she can't "teach" Stretchy or be bossy to him. Their friendship contiinues..

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one... we've struggled at our house with how to love a pet just right. Loved the brother's advice: "If you want your kitty back, don't be bossy, just be nice."

[Mikaila Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stretchy and Beanie is a cute story of a girl named Beanie and her spunky orange cat named Stretchy. They had the same colors eyes and hair. Stretchy although cute, had some tendencies that were not quite as cute. He would climb the drapes and have accidents on the carpet. None the less Beanie still smothered Stretchy with kisses. One day as the front door was left open, Stretchy made a run for it and straight up a tree he went. Beanie tried to beg him to come down but the cat ignored her. As Stretchy climbed to the very top of the tree, he then began to wonder who would feed him and brush his orange fur. After some treats and ladder, Stretchy decided to come down. Beanie realized that Stretchy couldn't be perfect but that love and patience would be a great place to start.

As a cat mom myself this book was just too cute. The names off all the cats in the beginning definitely made me chuckle. I mean who wouldn't love a cat named pickles. Every cat has a different personality, and I think at first it took Beanie for a surprise with the way Stretchy was acting. But she knew in the end to give him grace, love and patience to know he is still loved even though he isn't "perfect" but who is.

In the classroom I think this would be just a fun book to read and maybe do an activity with. In the beginning of the book, Beanie and all her friends got a cat that seemed to match their personality so maybe making an activity where the kids create a cat to match their personalities would be fun. A little self reflection if you will.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art is great, but the meter of the text is completely off in places and some of the rhymes are forced. As well, the conflict of the story is not authentic. Everything is fine, but then the girl decides to make the cat a "perfect pet." Why? What was wrong with him, he was doing perfectly fine up until that point. Also, what's with the one million other characters? They took up too many pages and had nothing to do with the story. This one is a miss for me.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stretchy is back, and each member of the McHandsome family has found a child to love, just like him. Stretchy and Beanie get along great, until Beanie gets the idea to train Stretchy into being the most magnificent cat... but Stretchy prefers hanging out and having fun at his own leisure, as cats often do. It's so wonderful to see my sweet butterscotch boy again!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stretchy McHandsome, an independent cat who has been adopted by the strong willed Beanie McBright who tries to transform Stretchy into the perfect pet. Stretchy is against this, and to maintain his independence, and free spirit climbs a tree. This rhyming tale is a fun read that reveals what can happen when change in forced on a free spirit.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl's new cat gets up to mischief because she tries to boss him around too much. The illustrations were really cozy and sweet and I liked how much the cat and Beanie resembled each other. Some of the rhymes felt a little odd but otherwise it flowed nicely.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute and funny story about a young girl and a cat.
After the cat runs away the girl learns to respect the cat's wishes (at least most of the time), so good for kids who are maybe too much for those around them.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written for young readers the text rhymes and shows how love triumphs over control.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, but I feel like some of the details were really random

[Clementine · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun illustrations. the rhyming text will be a hit with some readers, but it didn't really work for me. i'm also not a cat person, so maybe that's part of it?

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me two or three pages to notice the rhyming. Cute book with a lesson that is not completely in your face.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot going on in this book, and I’m not sure if it’s trying a little too hard?

A young girl, a member of a large, evidently adoptive or foster care or blended family, finds the perfect odd-eyed marmalade tabby cat—she’s a red-head with odd eyes. They love each other and everything is perfect until the girl finds a book on how to train cats. Stretchy resists the training and both cat and girl are stressed out as she pressures him to be perfect.

I think the message is unclear and muddled because what cat would ever care about being “perfect”?

Lovely, lively illustrations featuring everyday diversity.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, rhyming story. The illustrations are addictive.

[Geo Hendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

learning about cats is what we're supposed to do.

[Pamela Rabon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds me of my cat.