The Cat and the Bird: A Children's Book Inspired by Paul Klee

Gr 1–2—In a house with tangerine walls and blue shutters, Cat is surrounded by everything he needs to be happy. His "gilded cage" allows views of a garden with changing trees in warm shades-persimmon, crimson, and lemon-surrounding a bird with a "delicious" song high in the treetops. The cat contemplates a meal, but realizes he simply envies the bird and persuades his new feathered friend to free him from a lovely but lonely prison with pecks from his beak. Across rooftops, they dance in the moonlight; deep plums, vivid reds, warm pinks, and cool blues grab the eye in a tribute to master artist Paul Klee and his 1928 oil Cat and Bird. Painted geometric shapes and the artist's trademark intensity of color create the cat and his surroundings, while a first-person narrative carries readers from page to page. The book includes a two-page note about Klee and his style, emphasizing the artist's use of lines and harmonious color. An intriguing juxtaposition of text, images, and art, this offering is a first-purchase recommendation for all libraries.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX