Reviews for Pussycat, Pussycat, Where Have You Been? also by Dan Bar-el Time Colonist - 10 Top Reads pick for Fall 2011 New York Times Unbeknownst to many Mother Goose readers, a number of classic rhymes continue way past their well-known opening stanzas ("Old Mother Hubbard" is a particularly fine example), but here, Bar-el creates his own extension of the initial London rendezvous in "Pussycat, Pussycat." Traveling onward to Paris and Australia and over the midnight seas, the pussycat adventures through imaginative Chagall-style acrylic paintings. "Pussycat, Pussycat, will you stay home? / I always get restless, I always will roam." Take that, lazy cats. Quill and Quire, Starred Review It's hard to decide which is more impressive: Rae Maté's stunning paintings or Dan Bar-el's exhilarating adaptation of the traditional Mother Goose rhyme. What is certain is that together they manage to breathe new life into a very old poem.This book strays from the path of tradition by rewriting an old classic, but it does so with an infallible inner compass. The result is a tour de force that is sure to become a classic.
CM Magazine Readers familiar with the original classic Mother Goose rhyme are in for a real treat with a wonderful revamping. In fact, it is a complete redesign of the old treasured refrain, "Pussycat, Pussycat, where have you been?" This adaptation is in the clever and creative hands of an award-winning children's author, storyteller and educator, Dan Bar-el. The results are charming, whimsical rhyming couplets that explore the continuing adventures of this sassy cat. ? Resource Links Review, Excellent Rating Dan Bar-el has taken Pussycat from the traditional rhyme far beyond London and the Queen's chair in a delightful romp around the world. The rich language is embellished with the beautiful and equally rich illustrations by Rae Mate. Printed on heavy, glossy paper this picture book is high quality in all ways. This wonderful book, likely to be become a classic, is highly recommended. Canadian Children's Book News- Dan Bar-el's creative extension of the Mother Goose rhyme is a lyrical journey perfectly accompanied by Rae Maté's dreamy paintings.
Reviews for Looking for Loons Scholastic book review "Kirsti Anne Wakelin's warm illustrations complement Lloyd's imagery, and her sketchbook like endpapers are a real treat." "Luminous watercolors are an excellent match for the natural beauty of the tale's setting . a very attractive and well-designed book" - Quill & Quire "Looking for Loons perfectly distills the magic of an early autumn cottage porch, watching the world wake up. Silence disturbed only by lake animals, coolness in the air before the day's heat starts up, it's a wonderful hold-your-breath instant that seems to stretch while dew drips off the branches, and inside, bacon sizzles. Local artist Kirsti Anne Wakelin's exquisite watercolours span every shade of fall's palette, with delicate tableaux of stillness and possibility." - Georgia Straight Resource Links The illustrations enrich the reading experience. The yellow and brown colors set the autumn tone, while the varied perspectives entice the reader to share the experience with the characters in the story. .
- Linda Berezowski.