Lionel Monéger Books

"This exquisitely designed and illustrated retelling is a lush interpretation of Andersen's tale." -- THE HORN BOOK A National Council of Teachers of English Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts "Elaborate, harmonious watercolors pay homage to the flat style of Chinese brush paintings with iconic fidelity. . . . Mitchell's language is light and melodic." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review) "Mitchell's version stays close to the original, with an added punch of satire. . . . Even if there are already several editions of the story on the shelf, consider this for its fresh, lively language and for Ibatoulline's stunning paintings." -- BOOKLIST

Almost everyone knows the cunning, boot-wearing feline who helps a poor miller achieve a life of riches. In this edition of the brothers Grimm fairytale, the classic story is given an added dimension. Because the book can be completely unfolded, its cut-out illustrations can be projected as shadows onto walls and experienced in an entirely new way. Each page reveals another step in the process by which the sly cat changes the future of his master for the better. All of the key scenes are depicted by an image packed with detail and fantasy—the purchase of the boots, the transformation of the evil magician into a mouse, the happy-end castle wedding of the miller and the princess. These illustrations not only give a contemporary look to the 200-year-old narrative, but they can also be transformed into a dancing play of shadows when held in front of a light. In this way, the cut-outs truly make the story come alive for its young readers.