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CM . . .
. Volume X Number 16 . . . . April 8, 2004
Three Cat and Mouse Tales is the ninth volume in the "Once-Upon-A Time" series. Cat lovers will enjoy the themed tales of "Puss-in Boots," "Town Mouse and Country Mouse," and "Dick Whittington and his Cat." Marilyn Helmer stays true to the classic stories in her retellings of them. "Puss in Boots" is the story of a young man bequeathed a cat by his father. While not a patch on the mill and donkey inherited by his brothers, Tom attempts to make the best of his situation. When the cat offers to improve his fortune, Tom takes a risk and buys the cat the boots and sack that he requests. The cat then turns his favour upon the king and his daughter and, through a series of clever tricks, sets out to convince them that his master is a wealthy nobleman. And so it was that a poor miller's son named Tom became known as the Marquis of Carabas, and a clever cat named Puss became known as Puss-in-Boots. Not long after, Tom and the Princess were married, and they lived happily together for many a year. As for Puss, he never caught another mouse in his life. Instead he dined on salmon and cream and other delicacies most cats only dream of. In the second story, Town Mouse visits Country Mouse. Town Mouse can find little to enjoy. Country Mouse's house is too tiny, the food too plain, and the lifestyle too dull. Town Mouse invites Country Mouse to the city where at first she is awed by the splendor that awaits her. However, when Country Mouse almost ends up as the cat's dinner, she scurries for the peace and quiet of her own home.
In the third tale, an orphan boy named Dick Whittington travels to London where he hears the streets are paved with gold. He hitches a ride with a wagoner but is deeply disappointed to find only "dirty cobblestones, grimy buildings, and crowds of people." Dick lands on the doorstep of the Fitzwarren family who spare him a beating from their disagreeable cook. They offer Dick a job as Cook's helper. Under hard conditions, Dick manages well until he must send his beloved cat on a trading voyage of the master's. Then he can bear his lot no longer.
Fortune smiles on Dick as his cat becomes the prized possession of the Moorish King and Queen. They are so pleased to have a champion mouser that they send a chest of jewels to Dick in payment for his cat. With his newfound wealth, Dick marries Mr. Fitzwarren's daughter and indeed becomes Lord Mayor of London.
Particularly attractive in this book are the illustrations of Josée Masse. The acrylic paintings are colourful and capture the essence of the characters in a simple but enchanting way. Every page of text contains at least one vibrant picture, and there is a full page painting to set the tone for every new story. Readers will also enjoy added touches such as themed headers on each page. Even the endpapers and bibliographic information contain charming illustrations of cats and mice. The artwork and text of Three Cat and Mouse Tales complement each other well. As such, they make an appealing, well-priced package that is sure to delight a new audience of these well-loved tales. Highly Recommended. Julie Hunt is a teacher-librarian in West Vancouver, BC.
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I shared Three Cat and Mouse Tales with students from Kindergarten to Grade Four. Many
knew the story of "Puss-in-Boots" and "Town Mouse and Country Mouse"; few recognized
"Dick Whittington and his Cat." Despite familiarity with these tales, or a lack thereof, the students
enjoyed Helmer's retellings. They found the plots fast moving, the resolutions comforting, and the
overall language accessible to them.