Praise for Tabby McTat, The Musical Cat :
"The team behind Room on the Broom pair up again in what has become a near-annual ritual of picture book perfection... Impeccable rhythm and rhyme distinguish this particular tale, filled, as always, with Donaldson's exemplary humor and heart." — The New York Times Book Review
"A surprising and fun read.... [Scheffler's] bright-eyed, warmhearted characterizations make this a wonderful testimony to the ties that bind." — Publishers Weekly
"A fun frolic about musical duos who aren't quite the same without each other. Like their trademark tune, it all ends 'PURRRR-fectly'." — Booklist
Impeccable rhythm and rhyme distinguish this particular tale, filled, as always, with Donaldson's exemplary humor and heart.
The New York Times Book Review
Tabby’s meow is “loud and strong”—in fact, he’s one half of a busking act with his owner, Fred: “MEEE-EW and the old guitar,/ How PURRRR-fectly happy we are.” Tabby and Fred are separated by various twists of fate, and Tabby finds love and an even more idyllic life with his beloved’s owners, Prunella and Pat, a cheery older couple who don’t mind that Tabby is fond of “hiding the car keys under the mat.... And giving the pens an occasional bat.” How Donaldson and Scheffler (the team behind The Gruffalo and several other books) tie up the narrative threads so that loyalties aren’t torn asunder and everyone ends up happily ever after makes for a surprising and fun read. Donaldson makes those who read aloud work a bit to find a metric footing in this outing, but she adeptly builds gentle narrative tension that will keep children eager to find out what happens next. Once again, she’s helped enormously by Scheffler, whose bright-eyed, warmhearted characterizations make this a wonderful testimony to the ties that bind. Ages 4–8. (Dec.)
PreS-Gr 1—Fred is an extraordinary busker. He earns his living by playing guitar and singing to crowds… with his cat, Tabby McTat. When the two friends become separated for a period of time, they try to build new lives. McTat starts a family, and Fred tries out a different act. The feline is torn between his obligations to his family and his desire to find his friend, but, after they are reunited, McTat's son, Samuel Sprat, finds a solution that makes everyone happy. Librarians and teachers can make this rhyming story come to life by strumming a guitar while singing the lyrics in the refrain, "Me, you, and the old guitar,/How perfectly, perfectly happy we are./MEEE-EW and the old guitar,/How PURRRR-fectly happy we are." Scheffler's city scenes in saturated colors evoke a variety of emotions, and the expressions on the faces of the kittens and the people are hilarious. Use this book in discussions about relationships.—Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada
A musical cat--what's better than that? "Tabby McTat was a busker's cat / With a meow that was loud and strong. / The two of them sang of this and that, / And people threw coins in an old checked hat." One day, Tabby goes for a walk while Fred, the busker, eats his lunch, and Tabby meets a pretty, black kitty. When he returns, Fred is gone, so Sock, his new friend, gets her owners to take Tabby in. He loves his new situation, especially after kittens come along, but he misses Fred. Once the kitties are grown, Tabby sets off to find Fred, unknowingly tailed by his strong-voiced son, Samuel Sprat. Fred's happy to see his buddy--but Tabby, ever the finicky feline, now misses Sock. What could the solution be? Gruffalo creators Donaldson and Scheffler join forces once again for this lighthearted tale of friendship and music. Donaldson's lyrical verse reads like a song. Oldsters may see where the tale is headed, but young fans will be happily surprised. Scheffler's round-eyed characters and bright colors in full-bleed and inset illustrations extend the story. Young listeners will enjoy spotting Samuel in the background as Tabby searches for Fred. "MEEE-EW and the old guitar, / How PURRRR-fectly happy we are." Sounds like a hit. (Picture book. 2-7)
