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I didn't expect much that we hadn't seen before, but the cat and cupcake were clever and cute as can be. My 6 year old daughter loves this series.
On the appointed night Mouse stepped to the center again."If You Give a Mouse a Muffin," he began.Thus, the cold winter days might be dreadful, but Friday nights, Family Night, when everyone got together, time simply ceased to exist. Not on Cat's To-Do list. So they turned to the lost art of storytelling--lost to all but librarians, but that's another story in itself. If You Give a Cat a Cupcake." was his first line and also his last line, a circular story line that Mouse originated. He wanted to spend his days sleeping and his nights outside in the dark, watching and waiting. They gathered around the portable heater and told their stories, each in turn. The snow had melted, they could trot a bit outside. During long, cold winter's nights when they were snowed in, each took turns telling stories both to entertain the group and to keep their synapses snapping.
And it was Cat's turn. I cannot possibly tell another with such relish as the last. His story was not as creative, maybe more exaggeration, but he told it in the spirit of family togetherness. But the animals were restive during the last two days, waiting and waiting for the next story.
The group reluctantly agreed, knowing in their hearts he was right about timing and imagination and creativity and oh, so many things.All was normal for most of the week. That was it--a formula was set. Her mom had made the loveliest cupcakes for the party instead of cake. So. If he was a bit OFF tonight, that was OK.After all, If You Give a Family a Cat.
He had recently stirred from his long sleep and joined the family for the first time. The group overlooked that his "if-then" combinations maybe did not flow as well as Mouse's, but because they loved Cat--after all, when his energy was ON, he could entertain with his antics for hours. Once upon a time in a far away land lived a stable full of animals who called themselves family. But Cat, a member of the family, too--after all, he enjoyed rubbing his back along Horse's long legs--in his turn, stepped to the middle of the room."If You Give a Cat a--a--a--um--if you give a cat a--""What, Cat. Didn't mean to frighten you. In fact, Mouse's story was so well received that the group begged for another."Oh my, not tonight. Give him what." growled an annoyed Bear. I shall mind my P's and Q's."Cat looked around and thought about Laura's last birthday party.
I mean, how much intellectual stimulation can one get in a barn with no library or satellite/television. Cat had immensely enjoyed his cupcake, mainly because he ate all the sprinkles. And plan a story. Go right ahead. Not quite understanding the ritual, he promptly apologized. No, he was not so prepared, but he was better at spontaneity than preparation. You cannot make them do something they don't want to do.
He began with a nonsense line: "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and had the group just about in need of stitches from laughing so hard by the time he finished. Yes, the sap was rising. Cat loves sprinkles."Ahem. The first to volunteer was Mouse. "Er, ah, I'm sorry there, Cat. Well, you know cats. Please give me a week to plan my next story," declared Mouse, flattered that they liked his story so much.
They moved beyond the formula, If you give., and began "What Fathers Do Best" and a favorite was "10 Ways to Train My Monster."As winter began to sludge away and leaf buds began popping out on trees, a different type of restlessness began to seep in.
There are 32 pages, but only a short sentence or two on each page which is ideal for toddlers that can't sit still for long stories. She loves the illustrations, and the story is simple enough for her to follow, without being boring. I highly recommend it. My mother bought this book at a local deparment store that was selling the book for $5 and the cute stuffed cat for $5. It quickly became one of my daughter's favorites.
I'm not too fond of the illustrations in these books, but the wonderful stories in the other ones more than compensated for them. If you're new to this series, you should start with the other books, like "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". If you are looking for a good book which stands on its own, then you should begin with the other "If You Give." books. If you are a big fan of this series, then you may be very happy with this one. This book lacks the charm and the flow of the other books in the series and the connections are rougher. It seems more inspired by the author's need to put out another book.
Can't wait to read it to her. This was a perfect gift for our almost three year old granddaughter as a little gift for her birthday. She loves books, people reading to her and silly stories, so this was great for her Cupcake Birthday Party.
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