Castaway Cats (Richard Jackson Books (Atheneum Hardcover))
Starred Review.PreSchool-Grade 2–The creative team behindOld Cricket(2003) andSailor Moo(2002, both S & S) has come up with another winner. The action begins on the front cover as 15 soggy moggies are tossed from their sinking ship. By the time the story starts, they have reached the safety and uncertainty of a deserted island. The cats are of varying ages, breeds, and personalities and must overcome their differences as they attempt to build a boat and return to civilization. However, by story's end, the castaways are no longer strangers; through their adversity, they have become a family, and they choose to stay on the island. This delightful book is told in verses that become smoother as the cats cooperate and find their groove. The cast of characters includes a wisecracking marmalade tom, an angora diva, and a tough alley cat with a heart of gold. Goembel's illustrations, done in acrylic and ink, are fantastic and provide wonderful insight into the side stories developing as the book progresses. This animated, witty book is a wonderful selection to read aloud or for one-on-one appreciation of the marvelous art.–Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.