Black Cat, White Cat by Silvia Borando
| Black Cat, White Cat by Silvia Borando | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Lorraine McDonald
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| Summary: 'Black Cat, White Cat' takes the old adage that opposites attract, illustrates it in a strong graphic style and finishes with a humorous twist in the tail. The joke works on different levels so both parent and child will laugh out loud. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 48 | Date: June 2015 |
| Publisher: Walker Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1406363166 | |
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'Black Cat, White Cat' made me laugh out loud. In a lifetime of consuming literature greedily, I can count on one hand the number of books that have had this effect on me. I couldn't wait to read it with someone else to share the joke. Given that the humour relies on an element of surprise, I'm torn about how much to reveal here so, for the moment, I'll tell you a bit more about the book.
As the owner of a black cat, I was first drawn in by the cover. Two cats are shown in silhouette, one the negative of the other. This is a book about opposites and, eventually, similarity. Black cat only likes to go out in the day. White cat only goes out at night. When each decides to change their habits they meet and introduce the other to their world. Black cat experiences fireflies and introduces white cat to bumble bees. White cat sees daisies, doves and butterflies and introduces black cat to the stars. Black cat and white cat are inseperable. Let's just say that one thing leads to another…
'Black Cat, White Cat' is illustrated in a strong graphic style. Whilst the shapes are very simple, the almost 100% monochrome palette is very clever. In the day white cat is seen in front of black cat or walking past a black wall. The night sees a reversal. Black cat curls up in front of white cat and strolls past a white picket fence. This style reminds me of the very simple black and white books that are meant to appeal to babies. My toddler never really went for these as an infant but he was drawn to these pictures and loved the surprise twist at the end albeit for slightly different reasons to his mummy.
I've decided not to reveal that funny ending. You'll have to trust me that it's good. There is a clue for the sharp-eyed though on the cover, look closely at the punctuation… that's all I will say.
We also have a review of Borando's The Hamster Book.
Another graphically strong picture book with a limited palette and a (big) cat protagonist is Mr Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown.Toddler and me highly recommend it.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Black Cat, White Cat by Silvia Borando 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 Black Cat, White Cat by Silvia Borando at Amazon.com.
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