Catmagic

Teya Rosenberg is an assistant professor of English specializing in
children’s literature at Southwest Texas State University.

Arabelle Witch is ready to retire and the Witches’ Retirement Home has
a room. She can even keep her cat, Izzy, although he is not “a
standard black cat,” but “[b]lotchy and splotchy / from tail-tip to
head, / two paws in purple, / one amber, one red.” There is not that
much space at the home because all the witches have so many possessions,
and so Izzy ends up being stepped on and sat on. Unable to find a little
space for himself, Izzy comes up with a plan. Using scraps of leftover
magic, he creates a spell that gives him his very own space—a place
that readers will find amusing as they look at the pictures showing
Izzy’s solution.

Catmagic’s bright, cartoonish illustrations are full of fun details,
such as the retirement home roof that looks like a witch’s hat and the
many witch-related decorations in the house. Especially comical are the
portrayals of the witches themselves. The story, told completely in
rhyme, is also funny; although at times, as with any lengthy rhyme, it
can seem a bit strained. Overall, however, Catmagic is an entertaining
book and a worthy addition for any young reader’s collection.
Recommended.