Wild

Nature Quartet

by Sam Usher

The second title in a quartet of imaginative picture books in which a boy and his beloved granddad discover the wonder of the natural world

A boy and his granddad are taking care of someone’s cat for the day. The boy does lots of reading up about what cats like, but this cat doesn’t seem to like anything! And then it runs off into the wild, leading them to a jungle adventure of their own.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Childrens, Adventure, Animals, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published December 14, 2021

About the author

Sam Usher’s first book, Can You See Sassoon?, was long-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal. He is also the author and illustrator of Snow, Rain, and Sun, the companion books to Storm, the first of which was long-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal. He lives in England.

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Usher presents these stories. And this one has a party that puts me in mind of the Aristocats, so bonus.

"BEN"


Library copy

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy and his grandfather spend their day taking care of a cat who has her own ideas about what she wants to do.

The pictures in this book depict a cozy home environment that reflects the warmth of the relationship between the characters. The domestic details of the furniture, the boy's toys, and the dishes on the table are appealing, and they contrast nicely with the setting of the end of the book, which the boy and his grandfather discover when they follow the cat outdoors.

Though there are some smaller details in the pictures that would not be readily discernible at a distance, there is enough white space on each page, and the figures are generally large enough that I would probably still read this to a small or medium size story time audience. There is just the right amount of text for preschoolers, and the subject matter - looking after a cat and having a bit of an adventure - is perfectly age appropriate for three and four-year-olds.

This is a sweet, gentle story that would be lovely for a grandfather and grandchild to enjoy together. There is also a companion book entitled Free, which stars the same grandpa/grandson pair, but this time with a bird at the center of the action.

I received a physical copy of Wild from Templar Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that very clearly captures the way that cats have minds of their own! It then takes us on an imaginative journey. I would almost give this an extra star just for the gorgeous illustrations once they start their journey into the wild!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. Imagine visiting this boy and his grandpa and going on one of their adventures or being their neighbors. Would you get to be part of the fun? Based on some of their previous books, it seems like it could happen!

In this story, the cat is a cat, and if you are trying to figure out why cats do anything that they do, then you should know that it is a cat thing. Either you can live with this or you can't and that is that. The cat here is ready for a bit of wilding and escapes...adventures start to happen to the Boy's delight.

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

What’s the point of this?

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An escaped house cat leads a boy and his grandad on a wild adventure.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an ordinary day turns into an imaginative journey, you're in for a treat! A young boy and his granddad are tasked with watching a cat for the day. The cat won't cooperate or play with the boy, until he jumps out the window and the magic begins. With colorful illustrations that encompass the entire page, you get lost in the pictures as much as the words. A heartwarming story that brings back the magic of being a kid.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is another fine adventure with a boy and his grandfather by Sam Usher. Like Rain, Storm, and Free (There are others!), plans do not quite meet expectations. It's the day they get to watch the cat that comes to visit. There's no explanation why. Perhaps it's someone's cat they 'catsit'? All the things tried like playing, feeding, cuddling do not work! Then, a window open, the cat is out and the chase is on! From a relatively quiet day with a visiting cat to a real adventure going after her, Sam Usher fills the pages with more action. One double-page spread feels like imagination reigned instead of reality. Usher's illustrations are realistic, even the fantastic page, lovely bright colors! He also adds what looks like draft pages at the beginning with the title page and on the end covers. It, like the others, will make a terrific read-aloud.
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read ‘free’ by Sam usher. What I enjoy about both books is that it’s the same house. He uses some of the same exteriors and furniture from the other book. That’s nice. It’s the same set-up. Something very mundane is happening and all the sudden toward the end, fantastical shows up to delight. Usually animals lead the people there. Nature leads. I love it.

This book is about a cat. They are taking care of someones cat for the day. The cat doesn’t do anything they want it to. It’s just how cats are. It sounds a whole lot like my bunny Rascal. I’ve read several books and talked with Rabbit owners and Rascal doesn’t do anything other bunnies are supposed to do. He is his own dude, a very stubborn little bunny. He’s bound to do it his way.

I think the artwork is great for this story. I love the fantastical stuff. The art leaps off the page. I think Sam drew every kind of cat he could think of.

[Jacob Schmitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can set out food, bring out yarn, and make a cozy fire; but does this mean a cat will indulge in any of these activities? Cats really do have quite the elusive personality, and it is captured well at the beginning of the book. What readers will not expect is what happens after the cat escapes into the jungle!

Ink and watercolor bring out a riveting postmodern flare in this "Alice in Wonderland" twist of tale. A quirky and somewhat ineffable addition to the shelf -much like a cat.

[Ioana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Astăzi e o zi diferită în casa bunicului și a băiețelului. Azi au grijă de pisica unui prieten. Felina însă nu se lasă înduplecată cu una cu două, ci trăiește după propriile reguli. Dintr-o săritură, țuști afară pe fereastră. Așa că micuțul și bunicul au parte de o aventură sălbatică în junglă.

https://ciobanuldeazi.home.blog/2024/...

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While cat-sitting for a cat that defies their expectations, a young boy and his grandfather share a "wild" adventure that deftly and subtly blends reality with imagination.

I love all of Sam Usher's books. Like its predecessors ("Rain," "Snow," "Storm," "Free," "Sun"), this book inspires creative play and showcases a warm multi-generational relationship. Whimsical art rounds out the fun.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series can do no wrong in my book. The relationship of grandfather to child, the flight of fancy they go on together in each book, and the marvelous illustrations by the author are always fresh, always comforting, and lend themselves to multiple readings. This one is as lovely as all the rest.

[Jeanine · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the illustrations are charming and the first part of the story is cute, it gets pretty far away. It was definitely not what I was expecting. This was my second Sam Usher book and I was hoping I would like it more than the first. I'm not sure if I will try a third.

[Andréa]

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

[Christine Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join a boy and his grandfather and they learn how difficult it can be to take care of a cat and also how much fun it can be when the cat takes them on a "wild" adventure.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun adventure

[LS Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

an imaginative picture book about a young boy and his understanding grandpa

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun adventures of a boy and his grandfather.

[Caitlin N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the ornery cat gets out, he leads grandpa and grandson on an chase turned unexpected adventure. Low on words. High on visual charm.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A preschool and up book about a day of cat sitting turning into a great day of imagination for grandson and grandfather.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll always pick up these Sam Usher books when I see them as they're just delightfully written and illustrated. This one is about a particularly cattish cat.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preschool and school-age

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just okay.

The illustrations were charming, but the story and ending were pretty lack luster.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usher is a genius, this is beautiful, and made me desperately miss my wild black cat.

[Liese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't mind me. I'm just going to check out the rest of the books by this author. 🙂

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytime: Cats, Pets, Jungle

[Melanie Bracco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about a boy and his grandad who take care of a cat for the day, and who find out that cats have a mind of their own when the cat escapes and they follow it on a wild adventure. Loved this story, wonderful illustrations!

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay. I like his other books better.