A Cat Called Scratch by Jonathan Long and Korky Paul
| A Cat Called Scratch by Jonathan Long and Korky Paul | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Keith Dudhnath
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| Summary: Scratch gets up to all manner of crazy shenanigans as he tries to rid himself of a turbulent flea. Korky Paul's quirky and vibrant illustrations are front and centre in this fun tale of a cat at the end of his tether. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: August 2009 |
| Publisher: OUP Oxford | |
| ISBN: 978-0192729002 | |
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Scratch the cat has got an itch. There's a flea in his fur. Scratch scritches and scratches, tries hoovering himself, getting a haircut and going through a car wash, but all to no avail. The flea keeps on itching and Scratch keeps on scratching.
Korky Paul's illustrations are front and centre in A Cat Called Scratch. It's slightly more of a comic (without any negative connotations) than a picture book, and every panel is worth poring over. It's all very fresh, exciting and bustling with life. It's funny, silly and looks amazing. There are lots of small touches throughout, like the mice that crop up everywhere, which makes it worth reading again and again.
Although Jonathan Long's text takes a back seat to the illustrations, it's still very good. The rhythm provides a strong backbeat, yet it allows you to stop and admire the illustrations, then pick up the story again at whatever pace you want.
It's a tale for lovers of the madcap and quirky, rather than one just for cat-lovers. Because the text is so sparse, it's an ideal book for the very young to take the first steps towards reading alone, even before they can read. They'll love giggling on their own, as well as reading it with you. Recommended.
My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.
Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell is a great blend of mystery and the absurd, with glorious illustrations. Slightly older readers will love Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech. If you like Korky Paul's illustrations you might also enjoy When Chico Went Fishing by Robin Tzannes and Korky Paul.
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You can read more book reviews or buy A Cat Called Scratch by Jonathan Long and Korky Paul at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy A Cat Called Scratch by Jonathan Long and Korky Paul at Amazon.com.
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