ISBN 10: 0060253746 ISBN 13: 9780060253745

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1997

When a young girl spies three cats in her yard, she hopes they will be her playmates! But these frolicking felines have other ideas for fun. Will they ever be her friends?

Illustrated with bright, fresh pictures by Nadine Bernard Westcott, Nola Buck's simple text is perfect for emergent readers and cat lovers alike.

About the Author:

Nola Buck (the pen name of Laura Godwin) is the author of many well-loved children's books, including Christmas in the Manger. With Ann M. Martin she also coauthored The Doll People, The Runaway Dolls, and The Meanest Doll in the World. She now lives in New York City but grew up in Alberta, Canada, and has fond Christmas Eve memories of watching Eeyore, the family donkey, play a part in the live Christmas pageant in her hometown.

Nadine Bernard Westcott has illustrated numerous books for children, including How to Grow a Picket Fence by Mary Louise Cuneo and two popular children's songs: There's a Hole in the Bucket and Over the River and Through the Wood. She has also illustrated another book in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series: I Can Tell by Touching by Carolyn Otto. Ms Westcott lives on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts.

From Kirkus Reviews:

A book that is a pleasure to read once and again--Buck (Sid and Sam, p. 65, etc.) scores with this entry in the My First I Can Read Book series. With a careful economy of words, Buck tells of a hopeful relationship between a girl and three cats. Using primarily four- word sentences and monosyllabic words, as well as internal rhyme for the sound of poetry, a girl urges cats to frolic with her. She tries to get them to swing, play hide-and-seek, and come down from a tree: ``If you stay, cats/we will play, cats. Up to you, cats./Be my new cats.'' Just when it seems the cats will run away, they all land together at her feet, in a cuddly heap. Fewer than 100 words faithfully employ repetition, yet also impart personality to the girl and the shy cats. The illustrations are full of mild humor and just the right amount of action, providing helpful clues for those deciphering the words. It can't be easy to make so few words add up to so much fun, but Buck and Westcott have done it. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.