Matilda's Cat - by Emily Gravett (Hardcover)

About the Book

"First published in Great Britain in 2012 by Macmillan Children's Books, London."

Book Synopsis

This delightful picture book with Emily Gravett's signature twist ending sweetly depicts the relationship between a child and her beloved pet.

Matilda is desperate to figure out what her cat will enjoy. She tries everything she can think of: climbing trees, playing with wool, even tea parties and dress-up games, but as Matilda gets more and more creative in her entertainment attempts, her cat moves from unimpressed to terrified. Will Matilda ever figure out what her cat likes?

In the style of Dogs and Monkey and Me, this young picture book from Emily Gravett is an insightful, fond, and funny look at the relationship between a little girl and her cat that's sure to strike a chord with anyone who's ever loved a pet.

Review Quotes

*"The interplay between Emily Gravett's text and artwork are as humorous as the interactions of Matilda and her cat...Every child will be able to relate to Matilda's comical attempts to lure in her cat, and her complete inability to do so."-- "Shelf Awareness, starred review"

"[Matilda] resembles Sendak's Max both in her furry outfit and clamorous demeanor...The contradiction between the text and the put-upon cat's comical expressions is the real hoot here, and young pet owners will particularly relate to Matilda's desire to have her cat behave according to her whims."-- "BCCB"

"Gravett's charming pictures of the determined girl and her skeptical cat are full of funny details as the two struggle to figure out what they have in common."-- "New York Times Book Review"

"The energetic watercolor artwork is pure Gravett, with plenty of visual jokes and with characters--girl and cat--who express their feelings with every fiber of their being."-- "School Library Journal"

A master of animal countenance, Gravett pairs an expressive cat with a busy kid and winks at the difference between textual and visual message...the shrewd and skillful art implies sly underlying affection even when the cat's nonplussed, worried or asleep. Even Matilda's cat would like this.-- "Kirkus Reviews, starred review"

Gravett's humor generally runs from giddy to Gothic; in this story, it's toward the sweeter end of the spectrum.-- "Publishers Weekly"

About the Author

EMILY GRAVETT is a two-time winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal with Wolves and Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears. Her internationally award-winning picture books include Meerkat Mail, Tidy and Old Hat. She has illustrated bestselling fiction, including Matt Haig's Evie and the Animals and a full-colour edition of Quidditch Through the Ages.
@emily_gravett