Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
New York : Frances Foster Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2004.
Description
After his owner dies, a cat wanders across the countryside of France, unable to forget the home he had in the stone house by the edge of the sea.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ksjeffcoat
This books talks about whose cat owner dies and he travels across France. He visits many different things across France. The cat gets old and find his way back home to where children are now and they help him. There is a map of France that shows the cat's route across France. The illustrations are
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great in this book. The is a book for all ages and one could read it in the classroom just for fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member paulaanweiler
A cat is sent across france after his owner passes away only to walk all the way home in this sad story. After a long journey he finally finds happiness. Theres no place like home.
LibraryThing member klsulliv
Has someone that you loved dearly passed on? Then you know how "The Cat Who Walked Across France" feels. He lost his master who was an old woman. The cat was packed up along with her belongings and shipped some place far from his original home. He decided that he was going on a journey to find his
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home that they took him away from. This determined cat ventures out to seek his home where so many memories were made. He eventually stumbles upon a family that is willing to take him in. He is scared at first, but then a wave of acceptance over comes him when he is reminded of the old woman he loved so much from his new family that was trying to comfort him. He then knew he was home. This story touches upon the importance of memories and what they can do to someone or something who is not ready to move on just yet. Memories are powerful and can "make or break" a situation. For example, if the cat would not have been reminded of the old woman petting him and saying good kitty like his new owners were doing, do you think he would have stayed and felt at home? Show Less
LibraryThing member matthewbloome
This was another very nice story by Kate Banks. It is the story of a cat who is displaced from her home when her owner dies and returns to the home she loves when she is displeased with the new home she is placed in. It's very nicely told and the descriptive language is beautiful. I really enjoyed
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it. Show Less
LibraryThing member Madison_DeWeerdt
A fun new way to view a place in a different perspective.
LibraryThing member sweetiegherkin
The cat loves living in his house by the sea with the old woman who pets him gently and calls him "good kitty." When the old woman dies, the cat is sent away along with the rest of her stuff to the north of France. Unhappy with his new situation, the cat travels all the way across France - through
Compared to so many other children's books (other than bedtime stories), this is a rather placid and calm book, which can provide for a nice change of pace. The language is lyrical, but it is not the usual singsong or mad-dash rhyming seen in children's picture books; rather it has a comforting kind of tone to it. Similarly the oil-painting reminiscent illustrations are full of vibrant and bright colors, but these do not feel overstimulating. They remind me of some of Vincent VanGogh's paintings - lively yet with a kind of soothing effect as well. Those who are familiar with France will recognize the landscapes and buildings in the background of these illustrations.
This book provides some interesting fodder when it comes to food for thought and topics of discussion with young children. The book rather matter of factly addresses the death of the old woman and moves on with the rest of the story. You can use this book to gently bring up the concept of death with young children who haven't been exposed to it yet -- or to talk with those kids who have lost a loved one and compare their experiences and emotions with those of the cat. You can also discuss how the cat is courageous and single-minded in achieving his goal, despite all obstacles, and tie this into a specific thing that your children are trying to reach in their own lives, whether that being doing well at school, getting better at a sport, or working on an artistic project, etc.
I first shared this book with my kindergarten class when we were talking about France as part of an "around the world" unit. The kids were excited to see illustrations that matched some of the photographs we saw of places around France. They all liked this book so much that they asked to hear it read aloud several times and many of them went back to look at it on their own later. Most recently, I read this book to my 4-year-old niece who was similarly enraptured with it. I would very much recommend this book as a read aloud/together for preschool- and elementary-aged children.
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farmland and cities, past shooing adults and chasing children - until he arrives back home at the small house by the sea and meets the new family living there. Compared to so many other children's books (other than bedtime stories), this is a rather placid and calm book, which can provide for a nice change of pace. The language is lyrical, but it is not the usual singsong or mad-dash rhyming seen in children's picture books; rather it has a comforting kind of tone to it. Similarly the oil-painting reminiscent illustrations are full of vibrant and bright colors, but these do not feel overstimulating. They remind me of some of Vincent VanGogh's paintings - lively yet with a kind of soothing effect as well. Those who are familiar with France will recognize the landscapes and buildings in the background of these illustrations.
This book provides some interesting fodder when it comes to food for thought and topics of discussion with young children. The book rather matter of factly addresses the death of the old woman and moves on with the rest of the story. You can use this book to gently bring up the concept of death with young children who haven't been exposed to it yet -- or to talk with those kids who have lost a loved one and compare their experiences and emotions with those of the cat. You can also discuss how the cat is courageous and single-minded in achieving his goal, despite all obstacles, and tie this into a specific thing that your children are trying to reach in their own lives, whether that being doing well at school, getting better at a sport, or working on an artistic project, etc.
I first shared this book with my kindergarten class when we were talking about France as part of an "around the world" unit. The kids were excited to see illustrations that matched some of the photographs we saw of places around France. They all liked this book so much that they asked to hear it read aloud several times and many of them went back to look at it on their own later. Most recently, I read this book to my 4-year-old niece who was similarly enraptured with it. I would very much recommend this book as a read aloud/together for preschool- and elementary-aged children.
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LibraryThing member AlbertPascal
A cat who lives on the seaside in the south of France is displaced after his beloved owner passes away. He finds himself on the crowded streets of Paris and he wants to find his way back to Provence. This is the story of his journey through the countryside and the people whom he meets along the
I think the illustrations are oil paintings. The brushstrokes are visible in these rich landscapes and cityscapes and the reader has the impression that the artist sat outside with an easel and painted them.
I like this book because it's pretty and it offers some beautiful reminders of countryside of France: castles, canals, fields of lavender, train tracks.
I don't think this story would be very good for teaching story arc; however, it might be useful for eliciting vocabulary and descriptions associated with the drawings. For example, we can see the Pont du Gard,the Eiffel Tour, and some castles. It would be nice to talk about what those things are.
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way.I think the illustrations are oil paintings. The brushstrokes are visible in these rich landscapes and cityscapes and the reader has the impression that the artist sat outside with an easel and painted them.
I like this book because it's pretty and it offers some beautiful reminders of countryside of France: castles, canals, fields of lavender, train tracks.
I don't think this story would be very good for teaching story arc; however, it might be useful for eliciting vocabulary and descriptions associated with the drawings. For example, we can see the Pont du Gard,the Eiffel Tour, and some castles. It would be nice to talk about what those things are.
Show Less
LibraryThing member fuzzi
Kitty is relocated and forgotten, so she sets out for home across France.
The story is good, but the illustrations are wonderful, reminding me of the Expressionist period of art. Very nice.
The story is good, but the illustrations are wonderful, reminding me of the Expressionist period of art. Very nice.
Subjects
Awards
CCBC Choices (2005)
Children's Favorites Awards (Selection — 2005)
Language
Physical description
26 cm
ISBN
9780374399689