Captain Cat

This quirky tale has something for everyone... Moore's tale combines traditional themes and spritely illustrations to create a satisfying, offbeat adventure.

The story is well told, and the pictures add their own brand of charm... This pleasing picture book features an idyllic, original adventure story, told with wit and illustrated with grace.

Captain Cat, a fez-wearing, white-bearded old salt whose nickname derives from his love of felines--"There were more cats on board his ship... than there were sailors in his crew"--sets off to find his heart's desire and discovers a remote island covered with swaying palms and Alhambra-like architecture. Its only problem? Rats. The island is ruled by the Queen, a frizzy-headed, supremely self-confident child; when she finds out what effective rat-killers cats are (she's never seen one before), she offers Captain Cat all her treasure in exchange for them. Lest readers think Captain Cat a heartless cad for accepting, Moore (A House in the Forest) assures them "it was the cats themselves who had the final say.... they refused to go back on board." Sun-bleached, finely crosshatched seascapes of wooden ships and rolling breakers alternate with endearing portraits of the kindly Captain Cat, the sassy queen, and the furry rat-dispatchers. A direct descendant of British-style exploits from Nesbit to Dahl--and with plenty of room to unfold leisurely, as befits a voyage of exploration--this is an adventure readers will savor. Ages 3-7. (Oct.)

Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 1-3--Captain Cat has spent years accumulating felines, making him a laughingstock among the other seafaring traders. One day, he and his cats set sail on an adventure and end up on an uncharted island. The young queen happily welcomes her visitors, but at their first meal, the dinner table is overrun with rats. Luckily, the cats save the day-although it results in the jarring image of rows of dead rats as the queen looks over "the neat rows of corpses lined up on the Royal Palace floor." The thankful ruler rewards the trader, who returns home without his cats, who prefer solid ground over the ship. Once the other traders see Captain Cat's treasure, they rush to the island with gifts for the queen, who gives them her most precious possessions: kittens. The disappointed traders give them to Captain Cat, who is inspired to sail back to the island to be with his cats. The illustrations are intricate, with many faces and details to examine, and the realistic, Mediterranean-looking backgrounds create a beautiful setting for the story. The characters, whether human or feline, have distinct expressions and looks, with a few animals peering out, connecting with readers. The story is not as well defined; it has a slightly rambling plot that slowly drifts to a close, but will still appeal to cat lovers and young readers who enjoy an adventure story.--Marian McLeod, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, CT

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.