Mummy Cat

Utilizing the magical draw of ancient Egypt, this informative and heartwarming story is a treasure trove for all who seek it.

Elegantly designed for young fans of ancient Egypt, this sweet ghost story of a pet's love for its owner transcends time. (Picture book. 5-9).

Ewert's rhyming picture book is an unexpected love story that anyone with a pet can appreciate. It's set in Egypt inside a pyramid decorated with hieroglyphics and treasures. "A mummy cat, who's passed through death" reminisces about his owner, the girl-queen Hatshepsut, as he searches the rooms looking for her. "He checks to see if she's come back, his loving friend...so that this lonely time can end." Although it's obvious that the memories weigh him down at times, he perks up when he sees pictures of the two of them in painted scenes along the walls. The cat was a loyal companion and a hero to the girl, right to the end of both of their lives. Back matter includes in-depth information about mummies and the ancient queen. The hieroglyphs are defined here as well, and they can be used as an I Spy game, as they appear throughout the book. Brown's ink, gouache, watercolor, and digital collage illustrations are rich with beautiful ancient artifacts and a grouping of curious mice and moths that follow the mummy cat to the tomb of the girl he can never forget. VERDICT Kids will enjoy this memorable and touching introduction to mummies.—Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

Once every century, deep within an Egyptian pyramid, a mummified cat "who's passed through Death" rises from his coffin and goes to the resting place of his beloved mistress, the "girl-queen, Hat-shup-set," hoping she will rise from the dead, as well. As the cat wanders from room to room, still wrapped head to tail in white cloth, he passes by painted scenes from the queen's reign and their joyful days together--before their untimely deaths from a scorpion sting. The paintings are more than decoration: if readers are observant, they will notice that the pictures actually tell a story of jealousy, dastardly murder, and justified comeuppance. Ewert's (10,000 Dresses) rhymes are fairly conventional ("Their couch was set beside the pool/ The shade from date trees kept them cool"), but his narration has the right tinge of sadness, spookiness, and suspense. It makes a fine red herring for Brown's (Emily's Blue Period) detailed, atmospheric pictures--which is where this terrifically original and ultimately happy story actually unfolds. Ages 6-9. Agent: Charlotte Sheedy, Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency. (July)