Me and My Cat?

Me and My Cat? is a 1999 children's picture book by Satoshi Kitamura. It is about a boy, Nicholas, who switches bodies with his cat, Leonardo.

Me and My Cat?
AuthorSatoshi Kitamura
IllustratorSatoshi Kitamura
CountryEngland
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren's picture book
Published1999 (Andersen Press)
Media typePrint (paperback)
Pages32 (unpaginated)
ISBN9781842707753
OCLC1263586856

Plot

Nicholas does not want to go to school. One night a witch appears in Nicholas's bedroom. She brandishes her broom, says magic words, and leaves without even saying goodbye. The next morning, Nicholas's mom comes in to tell him he will be late for school if he does not get up. Nicholas realizes he and his cat, Leonardo, have switched bodies.

Nicholas's mom realizes that something is wrong with her son, so she calls the doctor and asks him to "come at once". After examining Nicholas, the doctor says he "is just a little overtired", and recommends sending him to bed early. Nicholas's mom hugs Nicholas (in Leonardo's body), who begins to purr. Then Leonardo (in Nicholas's body) begins to purr as well.

The witch returns to Nicholas's room, apologizes, and says she "had the wrong address". She brandishes her broom at Nicholas and Leonardo (while Nicholas is asleep), says magic words, and leaves. In the morning, Nicholas's mom wakes him up, and he realizes he has been returned to his body. At school, it is revealed that Nicholas's teacher, Mr. McGough, has switched bodies with his own cat.

Reception

In a review, the New York Times wrote "Kitamura's art resembles the animation seen on the Cartoon Network, edgy and angular, a style that becomes a barrier to the artist's intent when the plan is to depict the smooth, springy suppleness of cats. And that -- evoking memories of familiar feline postures for the sake of a laugh -- is what this book is all about. Still, many children will no doubt respond with laugh-track chuckles, especially to the sight of a boy squatting in a litter box. My test audience -- that is, my inner 6-year-old -- obviously did not."[1] while Kirkus Reviews calls it "Silly good fun."[2] and Publishers Weekly wrote "this latest by Kitamura spotlights an offbeat sense of humor and a flair for comic-book layout."[3]

It has also been reviewed by Booklist,[4] the School Library Journal,[5] and The Horn Book Magazine.[6]

Awards and nominations

Adaptations

Me and My Cat? has been adapted for the stage.[8][9][10][11]

References
  1. David Small (14 May 2000). "Cat Scams". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  2. "Me and My Cat?". www.kirkusreviews.com. Kirkus Media LLC. 15 February 2000. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  3. "Me and My Cat?". www.publishersweekly.com. PWxyz LLC. 28 February 2000. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  4. Amy Brandt (1 March 2000). "Books for Youth: Books for the Young". Booklist. American Library Association. 96 (13): 1250. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  5. "PRESCHOOL TO GRADE 4: Fiction". School Library Journal. Media Source Inc. 46 (3): 209. March 2000. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  6. "Me and My Cat?". Horn Book Magazine. Media Source Inc. 76 (2): 187. 2000. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  7. "Me and My Cat?". www.booktrust.org. Book Trust. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  8. Don Calogero (4 December 2014). "Me and My Cat, RichMix Theatre – Review". everything-theatre.co.uk. Everything Theatre. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  9. "Me and My Cat". www.thelowry.com. The Lowry. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  10. "Me and My Cat". www.whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com, Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  11. "Me and My Cat?". www.derbytheatre.co.uk. Derby Theatre. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
Library holdings of :Me and My Cat?
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