Mog and Me and other Stories by Judith Kerr
| Mog and Me and other Stories by Judith Kerr | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Zoe Morris
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| Summary: A wonderful introduction to Mog, this features 4 ultra-short but ultra-sweet stories in a perfect board book format | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 40 | Date: April 2016 |
| Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-0008171179 | |
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I'm sure many of us know Mog, the wonderful cat created by Judith Kerr. I grew up reading about Mog and the Baby and Other Stories and Mog's Christmas has permanent residence in our festive book box. I couldn't quite cope with the idea of her dying, so I was delighted to find this new (to me) set of Mog stories set happily and firmly a little bit earlier in her life when she was very much alive.
Mog and Me is a set of 4 stories in one board book. They are very short stories which make them a great introduction to Mog for those whose attention span is only for a few minutes before the temptation to chew on the book become overwhelming. This book, then, is perfect. Great sturdy design with pages so stiff even an older child would have to try hard to destroy. Glossy sheet that can withstand a bit of dribbling. And bright, bold illustrations that are not too complicated for tiny eyes.
In Mog and Me we learn about the things the little blonde boy who lives with Mog (later identified as Nicky) has in common with his lovely cat. They both like to stretch. They both like to play. Eating is important (and what a good healthy child he is, having a banana and an apple with his cherry topped bun) and at night they both go to sleep in their respective beds. Any child can identify with these activities and for those who might not have a pet of their own, it's fun to see how an animal's life can mirror that of little boys and girls.
Mog's Family of Cats is equally adorable. I wasn't sure whether the note that Mog's mummy and daddy live 'on a farm' was code for something, but I decided to brush past that and read on to learn about Mog's Grandpa and Granny and brothers James and Blackie. He's a good un', that Blackie. He spends his days looking after an old lady. Mog's family is quite big but everyone in it gets a special mention and a fun portrait at work or at play.
In Mog's Kittens it's time to reproduce although the logistics of this are glossed over and instead, bam!, Mog now has two kittens of her own. This is a little sad, this story, because in the end the kittens leave Mog behind and go to live with other families, but by the last page Mog is smiling (and purring) again, and all is well in the world. Finally we see Mog in the garden, a lovely fun place to play in the sunshine (ha!).
The stories can be read alone or all in a row, and they are beautiful, simple stories that won't change with time. The language is simple and the pictures expressive – it's incredible how many emotions one cat can show. I'd like to thank the publishers for sending us this book to review. What a wonderful way to introduce marvellous Mog to the next generation.
By the same author, The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a classic every home should have on the shelves, while The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book by Eric Carle.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Mog and Me and other Stories by Judith Kerr 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 Mog and Me and other Stories by Judith Kerr at Amazon.com.
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