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aleahlitt's review
4.0
Classic Children’s Book from our very own Cornwall UK ❤️ The coziest! Cannot wait to read this to my kids someday.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
This is a lovely rendition of a traditional Cornish tale. This is not a picturebook but rather a book with pictures (illustrated book) yet both the text and the images work nicely together to bring the story to life. I particularly liked the Great Storm-Cat.
When I read it, I got the feeling that no word was wasted or made too difficult. It has a nice, repeating rhythm to it which feels almost as warm and comforting as Mowzer herself. I also thought it interesting telling the story from Mowser's point of view. This detachment from the humans meant that we were more the observer and yet it was needed in order to support the relationship between the storm and Mowser.
Suitability:
This could work well in KS1 and LKS2. It could also be nice as a guided reading in Y5.
Cross-Curricular Links: (Year 3)
Art
There is a lovely article here which discusses Nicola Bayley's art style.
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/112/childrens-books/articles/authorgraph/authorgraph-no112-nicola-bayley I would certainly look am mimicing her approach and 'working small and in great detail' like she does. There are plenty of examples of her work to choose from https://uk.pinterest.com/lizziestrange/artist-nicola-bayley-book-illustration/ I would ask the children to work on scenes (photos) of landscapes and an animal they love and get them to practice using watercolours on a small scale like her.
English
I would go to great pain to get the children to explore local folklore and consider rewriting a partciular story from the area that they like and then, tying it into art, consider asking them to illustrate their own stories in the style of Nicola Bayley. I would also look at using drama to explore these stories and encourage them to learn them off by heart and be able to tell them. This could all culminate in a folktales book put together of the different stories and a storytelling evening set by the children for the parents.
There are plenty of other ideas out there but these would make a good starting point.
When I read it, I got the feeling that no word was wasted or made too difficult. It has a nice, repeating rhythm to it which feels almost as warm and comforting as Mowzer herself. I also thought it interesting telling the story from Mowser's point of view. This detachment from the humans meant that we were more the observer and yet it was needed in order to support the relationship between the storm and Mowser.
Suitability:
This could work well in KS1 and LKS2. It could also be nice as a guided reading in Y5.
Cross-Curricular Links: (Year 3)
Art
There is a lovely article here which discusses Nicola Bayley's art style.
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/112/childrens-books/articles/authorgraph/authorgraph-no112-nicola-bayley I would certainly look am mimicing her approach and 'working small and in great detail' like she does. There are plenty of examples of her work to choose from https://uk.pinterest.com/lizziestrange/artist-nicola-bayley-book-illustration/ I would ask the children to work on scenes (photos) of landscapes and an animal they love and get them to practice using watercolours on a small scale like her.
English
I would go to great pain to get the children to explore local folklore and consider rewriting a partciular story from the area that they like and then, tying it into art, consider asking them to illustrate their own stories in the style of Nicola Bayley. I would also look at using drama to explore these stories and encourage them to learn them off by heart and be able to tell them. This could all culminate in a folktales book put together of the different stories and a storytelling evening set by the children for the parents.
There are plenty of other ideas out there but these would make a good starting point.
sarablacks's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
snowelf's review against another edition
5.0
Judging from the cover and from the amount of text on the pages, I wasn't sure whether my 4 year old was going to take to this book. But he LOVED it! He loved everything about it, and he was completely enthralled by the story. He had a lot of questions for me while we read, especially about the storm cat, for whom he was very empathetic. And he got a little teary eyed towards the end.
It's an amazing, magic story, and the illustrations, especially the ones of the storm cat, very powerful. We borrowed the book because it's on the list of 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up, otherwise it would probably not have come our way.
It's an amazing, magic story, and the illustrations, especially the ones of the storm cat, very powerful. We borrowed the book because it's on the list of 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up, otherwise it would probably not have come our way.
connorshappytie's review
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
jljaina's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoy a small fishing town, as seen through a cat's eyes! This wonderful books shares life and events from Mowzer's perspective. Mowzer is an sweet black/white tabby cat who lives with a fisherman named Tom. both have seen their share of things over the years and when a terrible storm hits their harbor and the village begins to go hungry it is up to these two to save the day!
I really, really loved the point of view. It is just the right amount of humor to add to a real life situation. From raising kids and the homes they now live in as adults, to how human's are cat's pets and should be taught to behave a certain way. The best part is the imagination to the storm! And the artwork depicts the story perfectly! I fell in love with this children's book. It is a timeless tale that can be shared with generations to come! Of course, the fact that the cat in the story looks an awful lot like mine doesn't hurt!
I really, really loved the point of view. It is just the right amount of humor to add to a real life situation. From raising kids and the homes they now live in as adults, to how human's are cat's pets and should be taught to behave a certain way. The best part is the imagination to the storm! And the artwork depicts the story perfectly! I fell in love with this children's book. It is a timeless tale that can be shared with generations to come! Of course, the fact that the cat in the story looks an awful lot like mine doesn't hurt!
deelambe12's review
3.0
So nostalgic. The artwork is absolutely divine. I may have shed a tear or two.
thatokiebird's review
5.0
(Read with little sister as part of the "1,001 Children's Books To Read")
So terrific! The illustrations were gorgeous, the story was written beautifully and it made me feel warm and fuzzy! I had to purchase this one to keep myself.
So terrific! The illustrations were gorgeous, the story was written beautifully and it made me feel warm and fuzzy! I had to purchase this one to keep myself.
arwenauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Had to read this old favourite while actually in Mousehole... never gets old.