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corncobwebs's review
Popularity/appeal rating: 4
Quality rating: 4
In a one-sentence nutshell:
Baby Jesus won't stop crying until a tiny orange kitten curls up next to him. The kitten sticks around and becomes Jesus' pet cat, and even travels with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus when they flee to Egypt (although there's a tense moment when it seems as though the cat will get left behind).
This story was inspired by da Vinci's drawings of Madonna del Gatto, and it's a neat interpretation of the nativity story. I think this would be a great pick for families looking for religious Christmas stories for young children. The story is sweet and reassuring, and the illustrations couldn't be any cuter!
Quality rating: 4
In a one-sentence nutshell:
Baby Jesus won't stop crying until a tiny orange kitten curls up next to him. The kitten sticks around and becomes Jesus' pet cat, and even travels with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus when they flee to Egypt (although there's a tense moment when it seems as though the cat will get left behind).
This story was inspired by da Vinci's drawings of Madonna del Gatto, and it's a neat interpretation of the nativity story. I think this would be a great pick for families looking for religious Christmas stories for young children. The story is sweet and reassuring, and the illustrations couldn't be any cuter!
mmattmiller's review
4.0
First I have to say I received a free copy of this from Goodreads...
So I thought this was a sweet story with beautiful pictures. I didn't know anything about the Da Vinci painting this book is based on until I read the author's note. Having read that, I liked the story even more! (Gave me an idea as to why it was a kitten and not a puppy! I thought it also is a cool way to introduce classic art to children!)
I did think it was interesting that the book says at one point "Love had saved them". I'm not sure if it was saying both the love of God and the love of the cat, but I only thought it meant the love of the cat. When reading a Christmas book, especially one focused on Jesus, it would fit the audience to say something about God sending the cat, or something rather than making the cat the hero. I don't know how to explain, but that was the only part of the story I felt something was a little amiss.
Overall, a sweet Christmas story I think kids with a pet will really relate to and cherish.
So I thought this was a sweet story with beautiful pictures. I didn't know anything about the Da Vinci painting this book is based on until I read the author's note. Having read that, I liked the story even more! (Gave me an idea as to why it was a kitten and not a puppy! I thought it also is a cool way to introduce classic art to children!)
I did think it was interesting that the book says at one point "Love had saved them". I'm not sure if it was saying both the love of God and the love of the cat, but I only thought it meant the love of the cat. When reading a Christmas book, especially one focused on Jesus, it would fit the audience to say something about God sending the cat, or something rather than making the cat the hero. I don't know how to explain, but that was the only part of the story I felt something was a little amiss.
Overall, a sweet Christmas story I think kids with a pet will really relate to and cherish.
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