Vous voulez voir cette page en français ? Cliquez ici.

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Search inside this book
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Circle Of Cats [Hardcover]

Lint De (Author), Charles Vess (Illustrator)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.

Book Description

Release Date: Jun 24 2003
Lillian is an orphan who lives with her aunt on a homestead miles from anyone, surrounded by uncharted forest. She wanders the woods, chasing squirrels and rabbits and climbing trees. Free-spirited and independent Lillian is a kindred spirit to the many wild cats who gather around the ancient beech tree. One day, while she is under the beech, Lillian is bitten by a poisonous snake. The cats refuse to let her die, and use their magic to turn her into one of their own. How she becomes a girl again is a lyrical, original folktale.

Set in the countryside north of de Lint's fictional Newford, with some of the same characters as the duo's recent, acclaimed Seven Wild Sisters, A Circle of Cats is the long-awaited first picture book by long-time friends Charles de Lint and Charles Vess, whose masterful art is as magical as the story.

Illustrations by Charles Vess.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Product Details

Product Description

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-In this picture-book fantasy, a skinny, red-haired girl is lured into a forest inhabited by tree spirits, fairies, and magical cats. When Lillian falls asleep under an ancient beech tree, she accidentally disturbs a snake whose bite quickly draws her toward death, until the cats gather around her in a magic circle. However, to save her, they must change her into something that isn't dying, and thus she awakens transformed into a kitten. Her quest to return to her true self brings her into contact with many creatures, but it is the gnarled Apple Tree Man who finally leads her to her heart's desire. De Lint uses simple yet evocative language to describe Lillian's journey into this mysterious place filled with dark hollows and dense woods, where felines work their enchantment with voices that sound like "a kitchen full of fiddles not quite in tune with each other." Although the plot seems too neatly resolved, young readers are certain to enjoy the mood that has been created. The artwork is also appealing, with illustrations reminiscent of an animated film. Backgrounds are soft and misty and foregrounds set the scene, but the effect is sometimes too Disneyesque. Still, the book is worth consideration, particularly as a short read-aloud or for middle graders seeking a quick read.
Teri Markson, Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School, Los Angeles
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
ONCE THERE WAS A FOREST OF HICKORY AND BEECH, sprucey-pine, birch and oak. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Reviews

5 star
5
4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A new North American fable Mar 3 2004
By Tom Knapp
Format:Hardcover
Charles de Lint has long been creating a new North American mythology through his Newford (and pre-Newford, for that matter) stories of magical realities in a modern world, where Celtic, Native American, cyberspatial and other mysteries combine into a fresh tapestry of lore. Now, de Lint and artist Charles Vess have created a modern folk tale in which a young girl and the spirits of trees interact with the innate magic of cats.

The story is written for children, but adults -- particularly those who have been steeped in de Lint's lore in the past -- will still find this tale absorbing. It's perfect to read aloud to a child or for an intermediate reader to enjoy alone. The artwork, too, is an integral part of the story; Vess supplies us with a very vivid, spindly limbed and red-haired young heroine, brimming with sparkle and delight, seeing the world through deep, thoughtful eyes.

And the cats? Don't be surprised if one pads its way from the pages to curl up on your lap for a scratch and snooze.

Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!! Dec 21 2003
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I rarely write reviews but this book is a fascinating read for adults and children alike. The illustrations are superb. Well worth buying.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars An original childrens' story Sep 25 2003
By Fred Camfield
Format:Hardcover
This is an excellent, 44 page book for younger children, filled with full color illustrations. The type style and formatting make it easily readable. It is the story of a young girl, Lillian, who lives with her aunt at the edge of the forest, far from the nearest neighbors. She spends her free time wandering in the woods looking for fairies. When disaster strikes, she is saved by cat magic. This is an original fairy tale, and seems a mixture of folklore and magic. It can be read to younger children, or read by slightly older children. I would put the age level at 4 to 12, although I am 67 and thought it was an interesting tale (I actually bought it to use as a gift for a young child).
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
Want to see more reviews on this item?

    Your Shopping Cart is empty.

    Give it purpose—fill it with books, DVDs, clothes, electronics, and more.

    If you already have an account, sign in.

    View Cart (0 items)

      Listmania!

      Create a Listmania! list

      Look for similar items by category

      Feedback

      Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?