PreS-Gr 2 "Bootsy was the family cat, and everyone loved her." And because everyone loves her, everyone has a different interpretation of what makes her so lovable. When she plays with a ball of yarn, Grandma calls her a clown. When she leaps with a slipper between her paws, Father calls her a football star. When she pokes about in the aquarium, Grandfather calls her a fisherman. Although she is merely doing what cats do, the adults' attempts to impose roles upon her lead to debate between the children. Adoring Jeff is willing to anoint Bootsy the best clown, footballer, or fisherman. But practical Ginny sees the downside to each scenario: the bright lights of the big top would frighten her; football is too dangerous; fishing is too wet. Consensus is not reached until Jeff declares her the best cat in the world and Ginny heartily agrees. There isn't much story here in the point and counterpoint of the children's argument, but Gorbachev has taken this slender tale and fleshed it out with trademark warmth and cheer. Each triumphant imagining for Bootsy is humorously illustrated, before being just as humorously deflated by Ginny's pragmatic scenarios. In the end, Bootsy is simply a cuddly house cat, beloved for what she does bestbeing Bootsy."Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
As the family enjoys Bootsy the cat's play, brother Jeff imagines her as a clown, football star, or ballerina. Reality-based sister Ginny, however, declares Bootsy is "just a regular cat." Jeff concurs, but "she is the best cat in the world," and at last they agree. Gorbachev's enjoyable sketchy ink and watercolor illustrations give life to the daydreams and reality.
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