Millions
of Cats
Gág, Wanda. Millions of Cats. New York: Puffin Books, 1928. ISBN 9780142407080
Summary:
“Hundreds of
cats,
Thousands of
cats,
Millions and
billions and trillions of cats.”
How would one choose from all these cats?
Millions of Cats is an endearing tale
of a very old man and a very old woman who seek to find a special cat to care
for and love. When the very old man sets out to find his wife a beautiful cat,
he isn’t met with one or two from which to select. Instead, he’s met with “hundreds
of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats.” Not
being able to choose himself, the man gathers up the most beautiful cats he can
find and leads them back to his home. Upon arrival back home, the very old man
shares all the cats with his wife. Both the old man and woman are overwhelmed
with the decision to choose just one. In order to make the decision easier, the
old man asks the cats, “Which one of you is the prettiest?” What happens next
is definitely a surprise… the cats begin to quarrel with one another and in the
end, only leaving one small and scrawny, frightened kitten. The decision had
been made for the very old man and very old woman, and they couldn’t be happier
with their pretty little kitten.
Analysis:
First of all, it is interesting to note
that this picture book has not earned the Caldecott Award, which is typically
awarded to picture books for the illustrations, but it has received the Newbery
Honor Award, an award traditionally given to chapter books for the quality of
writing. I was very intrigued by this since this is a true rarity. The elements
of a picture book story are all present and well-developed if not through the
writing but by the simple black and white illustrations. Gág has done an exceptional
job of complementing the writing with the illustrations and the illustrations
with the writing.
Her repeating line – “hundreds of cats,
thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats” – allows even
the youngest reader to engage with the story whether it being read aloud or
reading the story alone. The beat in these few lines helps set a tempo for the
story. It’s a simple tale of a tough decision – one which all can relate.
Wanda Gág’s illustration style created
from wood blocks is simple with the use of black and white illustrations. Even
though the images are only black and white, Gág has managed to create depth and
detail in each picture. The rounded edges of the overall illustrations help
move the reader through the story as the very old man continues on his journey
to find the prettiest, perfect kitten. The text is built within and around the
images themselves also helping transition the reader from one scene to the next
during the journey.
With its bold black, yellow and orange
cover, my daughter was intrigued from the beginning. At the end of the story,
she remarked, “I like that she (the author) let the kitten pick the very old
man and the very old woman. It means more when you are chosen and liked for who
you are and not for what you seem to be.” I was quickly reminded of the old
adage – You can’t judge a book by its cover.
Awards
and Review Excerpts:
- 1929
Newbery Honor
- School
Library Journal – #9 of Top 100 Picture Books (2009)
From The
New York Times: “A perennial favorite.”
From Children’s
Literature: “An outstanding example of a book in which text and
illustration seem to flow together.”
From The
School Library Journal: "Considered by
many to have ushered in the age of the modern picture book, this Newbery Honor
winner is characterized by innovative design and a strong storyteller’s
cadence."
Connections:
Conduct an author study of Wanda Gág and
provide other books written and illustrated by her, such as:
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ISBN 9780816644209
- Nothing at All ISBN 9780816644186
- Snippy and Snappy ISBN 9780816642458
Learn more about Wanda Gág through books
written about her, such as:
- Ray, Deborah Kogan. Wanda Gág: The Girl Who Lived to Draw. ISBN
9780670062928
Collect and share other picture books that received the Newbery Award/
Honor, such as:
- Doctor De Soto by William Steig ISBN 9780374418106 (1983 Honor)
- Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel ISBN 9780064440219 (1973
Honor)
- Annie and the Old One by Miska Miles ISBN 9780316571203 (1972
Honor)
Use this story as a jumping point to talk about/discuss making tough
decisions.
Use this story to discuss how being you (genuine) is what matters and
self-esteem. Gather other books connected to self-esteem, such as:
- The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen ISBN 9780735821460
- The Most Wonderful Egg in the
World by Heime Heine ISBN 9780689711176
Visit Scholastic’s website for lesson ideas on Millions of Cats: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=36051
* Cover image borrowed from http://www.amazon.com
Meow!
~ Mandy :)
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