The Cat and the Bird (Children's Books Inspired by Famous Artworks)
by Geraldine Elschner (Author)
A treasured painting by Paul Klee is the basis for this whimsical tale about a cat and a bird, and about the themes of freedom and friendship.
A cat lives in a house filled with toys, but everyday she dreams of being free like the bird she watches through the window. Finally with the bird's help, she is able to escape and dance on the roofs of the city by moonlight.
This lovely story unfolds in a series of playful, brilliantly colored illustrations based on the artist Paul Klee's work. Influenced by the artist's bright palette and use of shapes and line, the book culminates in a dazzling reproduction of Klee's Cat and Bird.
Accompanied by information about the artist and this iconic painting, the book invites appreciation of the unfettered joyfulness that makes Klee one of the most universally loved artists of all time.
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School Library Journal
Gr 1-2—In a house with tangerine walls and blue shutters, Cat is surrounded by everything he needs to be happy. His "gilded cage" allows views of a garden with changing trees in warm shades-persimmon, crimson, and lemon-surrounding a bird with a "delicious" song high in the treetops. The cat contemplates a meal, but realizes he simply envies the bird and persuades his new feathered friend to free him from a lovely but lonely prison with pecks from his beak. Across rooftops, they dance in the moonlight; deep plums, vivid reds, warm pinks, and cool blues grab the eye in a tribute to master artist Paul Klee and his 1928 oil Cat and Bird. Painted geometric shapes and the artist's trademark intensity of color create the cat and his surroundings, while a first-person narrative carries readers from page to page. The book includes a two-page note about Klee and his style, emphasizing the artist's use of lines and harmonious color. An intriguing juxtaposition of text, images, and art, this offering is a first-purchase recommendation for all libraries.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX
Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
