I opened the package not knowing which book it might be, I felt like I was 8 years old again as I slowly slid the book out and discovered it was I Don’t Know What To Call My Cat by Simon Philip and Ella Bailey. I must confess, the excitement was real. I am fairly sure I let out a little squeal and then took delight in turning each page and enjoying each illustration. The reading of it was to come later and it didn’t disappoint.
I Don’t Know What To Call My Cat By Simon Philip.
Illustrator: Ella Bailey
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: 16 June 2016
The young lady in the book got a new cat…well she just turned up on my doorstep one day looking rather hungry (I am yet to meet a cat that isn’t hungry!). She likes cats but the main problem is that she isn’t sure what to name it, there are so many names…Kitty, Princess High and Mighty (we have all had one of those cats!), and Mr Maestro.
The book is simply lovely and a whole lot of wonderful. When the cat disappears the kitty can be seen hiding throughout the book which I think will be fun to discover in a group story time setting. The illustrations by Ella Bailey are funny, interactive and a good type of busy. These busy pages give the reader a lot to look at, little details that add to the story such as the missing cat sign in the little girls hand and the kitty hiding within the pages.
Simon Philip has written the story from the perspective of the little girl, and he has done well at capturing her voice. She has an air of innocence yet she is also very funny without realising it. The cat steals the limelight throughout the book with its facial expressions, costumes and antics.
While the book would be long for a toddler story time group, it could be used with an older toddler story time setting or one on one. It is ideally suited to preschoolers and older (including adults like me). If you love kitties, picture books and gorgeous illustrations then you this is a must read.
So does the cat get a name?
You will have to get a copy and find out…
I received this book from the publisher Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect the content of my review.
Little Big Reads 