As they did previously for dogs (Once I Ate a Pie, illustrated by Katy Schneider, 2006), MacLachlan and Charest give voice to a collection of charming pets beautifully rendered by veteran illustrator Moser. In 13 poems, each on a double-page spread, 16 cats (and one mouse) are lovingly described. Cat fanciers will immediately recognize the personalities of these particular pussycats. From the straightforward revelation of the delightfully outsized ego of Princess Sheba Darling, who declares "I love me," to affectionate Romeo's embrace of everyone and everything, to the wary, unwilling domestication of torn-eared Tough Tom, the poems speak in the cats' voices. That they also manage with only a few words to create specific situations, sometimes even including a bit of a back story, is what makes these poems true portraits rather than the cute caricatures that sometimes inhabit collections like this one. Moser's watercolor illustrations, of course, contribute significantly to the overall quality. Majestic, maternal, suspicious, playful or placid, each cat is pictured in a pose and setting that reflect and illuminate the text. Tuck's toes and tail peek out from the covers beside two pairs of bare feet. Alice balances on the edge of the bathtub. Minnie slips through the night, almost invisible. Though published for the preschool audience, this will no doubt find enthusiastic fans of all ages. (Picture book. 4 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 1-5-Handsome spreads showcase 13 poems, each told from the perspective of a different cat and all abounding with feline attitude. There is "Tough Tom," with scratched-up nose and torn ear, who slips into a house and embraces a new life: "At first I was scared./I was used to rooftops/And rain/And snow/And dark./And fighting with other cats./But you opened the window/And I walked in." The aptly named "Princess Sheba Darling," posed gracefully to best display her snow-white fur, deigns to express what is instantly obvious to anyone who sees her: "As hard as I try, I could never be more beautiful/Than I am/Now." With a coat the "color of night," sleek Minnie steals through the moonlit countryside, proud that only her "Bright/Yellow/Eyes" give her location away. Effectively utilizing mood-setting rhythms, cadences, and word choices, each first-person free-verse selection perfectly suits the personality of its particular subject. Moser's lovely watercolor paintings depict each feline, individualized through distinctive coat, body language, and illuminating facial expressions. Playful action scenes alternate with more stately portraits, further enhancing each offering's tone and adding visual interest. This is a delight for youngsters who are owned by cats, a natural for pet-day celebrations, and a strong choice for classroom sharing and discussions of poetic points of view.-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This collection of 13 handsomely illustrated free-verse poems makes an eclectic and engaging feline companion to MacLachlan and Charest's Once I Ate a Pie and I Didn't Do It. Speaking in a delightful range of voices, the cats each share their proclivities. Princess Sheba Darling is smugly narcissistic ("As hard as I try, I could never be more beautiful/ Than I am/ Now"), and no-nonsense Sylvie is not one to mess with: "I am the boss cat./ I twitch my tail to prove it./ I boss the dogs. I boss my people." Moser (Oh, Harry!) again demonstrates his prowess at portraying animals with realism and affection; his stately watercolors capture the cats' playful, laconic, and independent personalities. There are occasional glimpses of the pets' owners, but the focus is largely on the cats, with playful accouterments adding splashes of color, whether a yellow rubber ducky, a pair of pink bunny slippers, or a purple (computer) mouse. A treat for cat lovers of all ages. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, East West Literary Agency. Illustrator's agent: Jeff Dwyer, Dwyer & O'Grady. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Cats with their differences in personality and physicality get their moment in the sun in this attractive book. Speaking directly to the reader, these cats, like some you may know personally, have their own opinions. Sylvie, the boss cat, looking as much like a lion as a house pet, likes just three things: My food / My windowsill / My people. Black-and-white Romeo is a lover. He even loves Sylvie. Simon likes to pounce so much that he is put in the pantry, and Eddie closes his eyes to pretend you're not there at all. Each cat gets its own two-page spread with a piece of poetry and an evocative watercolor featuring a feline so present readers may want to reach out and touch it (or in some cases, not). There are a few minor missteps: Lily's rodent friend looks more like a lab rat than a barn mouse, and sometimes a poem goes for the obvious. But several are quite touching, including the one about Tough Tom, with his torn ear and scratched nose, who is afraid to walk through a new window but does so anyway.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist

Tough Tom," "Minnie," "Sylvie, the Boss." Each one of these thirteen playful poems profiles a cat, giving readers a glimpse at his or her feline personality. The cats narrate their own verses, and cat lovers especially will recognize their pets' behaviors in these poems. Moser's dynamic watercolors capture each subject's attitude and character. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.