Three Cat and Mouse Tales

Lisa Arsenault is an elementary-school teacher in Ajax, Ontario.

The creatures who inhabit these pages are highly idiosyncratic, as are
the humans who people them. “Puss-in-Boots” recounts the story of
the miller who divides his patrimony among his three sons, the youngest
receiving what he deems to be the poorest portion—the family cat,
Puss. But Puss uses his natural sagacity and wiliness to orchestrate
events to the considerable benefit of himself and his master.

In “Town Mouse and Country Mouse” we learn that, indeed, home is
where the heart is. The protagonists of this fable act out the old
truism that the grass is rarely greener on the other side.

“Dick Whittington and His Cat” tells the much-loved tale of the
historical mayor of London who owed his rise to his exalted position to
the mousing abilities of his cat, the domino effects of which led to his
serving three terms in high office.

These are wonderfully told stories. The cats’ individual voices are
unique, their personality traits well defined. Whether one is enjoying
the rascally nature of Puss or the timid, self-effacing characteristics
of Country Mouse, they are all endearing.

A slight cavil is that the artwork could have varied with the stories.
The same style is carried across all three. Also, the distribution of
illustrations through the text is uneven. These are tales for children
ages 5 to 8, but the ratio of illustration to text is too sparse.
Nevertheless, these three tales remain lovely reworkings of old
favourites. Recommended.