Pigeon and Cat by Edward Hemingway

 

We are all capable of choosing to be kind, but it’s not always easy, especially in tough times. So I deliberately began Pigeon and Cat with one small act of kindness. When Cat finds Pigeon’s abandoned egg on the ground he protects it instead of eating it. This act not only changes the trajectory of both their lives, but of the community in which they live. Small acts of kindness can shine a bright light in dark times and open the pathway to a positive future. 

This only sounds corny because it’s true. Edward Hemmingway 

Cat lives in a battered cardboard box in the grounds of an abandoned cardboard box factory. He has all the things he needs - shelter, food, water, and old clothes to sleep on but he has to sleep with one eye open just in case other stray cats climb over the fence. Wait a minute. Does he have everything? No - Cat is so lonely. 

Did you see a pigeon on the cover of this book? Oh, and the title IS Pigeon AND cat - so where did the pigeon come from? One windy night cat found a small bird's nest and inside was an egg and ... yes that is where Pigeon comes into the story. Now Cat has a friend and Pigeon has someone to help her learn about the world including, oh no, how to fly. Pigeon cannot talk the same language as Cat but she communicates in symbols that look like emojis. At first, when Pigeon learns to fly, she travels over the city and brings back small treasures for Cat - that is my favourite page.

"But one dark afternoon Pigeon does not return from treasure hunting. Cat stands vigil, looking into the angry sky until he is forced to hide from the rain and wind. When the storm passes, he calls out for his friend till his voice is hoarse. Pigeon is nowhere to be found."

At this point the story feels a little like one of my favourite books Felix and Alexander. Cat now has to venture out into the unknown city - he simply HAS to overcome is fear AND find his friend. All around the city Cat posts messages using pictures and emojis hoping Pigeon will see them. These little colourful chalk messages add colour to the neighborhood and gradually the city streets feel less frightening. 

Also, as Cat walks around the city, he talks to other cats - reaching out with friendship. I imagine you can guess the happy ending. The rebus conversation with Pigeon and Cat is certain to delight your young reading companion. I also loved seeing the way the old factory is transformed into a wonderful community space. 

The illustrations in this book have a very appealing retro feel and they also have a vintage comic feel. Read this interview with Betsy Bird and Edward Hemmingway. 

Here is quote from the interview: Betsy - Well, and this book in particular is such a visual eye-popper. One minute you’re doing silhouettes and the next you’re incorporating emojis into Pigeon’s speech balloons. These cityscapes are also highly detailed.

The Teaching Books Blog has some extra book resources for you to explore. Here is a video with the author very briefly talking about his book. Here is the website for Edward Hemmingway. 

A sweet tale celebrating the joys of both personal and communal togetherness. Kirkus

"A splendid paean to the power of art to heal, and the trifecta of friendship, persistence, and inclusivity to rebuild community. A delightful book." School Library Journal

"A loner cat and an adventurous, outgoing bird are paired in this heartwarming story of friendship and community.... Hemingway’s oil-on-board art has an animated quality that jumps off the page…. bright contrasts and dynamic perspectives help bring the city and its inhabitants to life. Along with the main text, all of the dialogue is presented in speech bubbles, which young readers will enjoy deciphering. A satisfying story exploring heart and home." Horn Book

If you are a Teacher-Librarian reading this post you should seriously consider adding this book to your library. I would pair this book with Herman and Rosie or Gary.

Herman and Rosie

Gary

Picture Book Month Day 27

 

I'm sharing another old and sadly out of print book today - Little Big Feet by Ingrid and Dieter Schubert. This book was first published in 1986.

Ingrid and Dieter Schubert are a husband and wife team. They are the creators of many award-winning picture books for children. The Schuberts were both born and raised in Germany before moving to the Netherlands. Their first effort, There’s a Crocodile Under my Bed! in 1980 was an immediate success and was published in 14 countries. Today their many books for children are available in 22 languages.

The Dutch title of Little Big Feet is Platvoetje and the German title is Irma hat so große Füße.

Here are the opening lines:

"Halfway between earth and sky the witches live. Usually they spend their time quietly practising spells and feeding their cats, but today there was pandemonium. The littlest witch of all had disappeared."

If I was reading this book to a child or to a group of children I would stop at this point. It would be fun to ask all of the children to stand up and make heaps of noise - pandemonium!  Then, after we all calm down, it's time to predict what might have happened to the littlest witch.  Perhaps the from cover can give some clues? And what about the title? Could this link to her reason for running away? 

There is a terrific story idea here when we read that the little witch needs to use a toothbrush as her broomstick. 

There are such gentle messages in this book about accepting ourselves and our differences. Little Big Feet has been teased for her big feet and Maggie has been told she has big ears.

I am going to spoil the ending and show you the rebus letter the little witch sends back to her new friend Maggie (or Irma as she is called in Germany). I love the way the illustration includes all the fold lines.

Here is another book by Ingrid and Dieter Schubert.  Janis Ian wrote a children's song about a tiny mouse and the Schuberts turned it into a picture book:

(And) once heard, it is impossible to read the tale without singing it. Kirkus Star review

Little Big Feet by Ingrid and Deiter Schubert

When I see the word pandemonium on the first page of a picture book I know it will be a winner. Here is an author who does not talk down to young readers. Even more wonderful is the fact that this book is a translation. It was originally written in German.

Little Big Feet is a small witch. She has been teased once too often by the witches who live between the earth and sky and so she has left her home. Just like Pinocchio’s nose, every time a spell goes wrong for Little Big Feet her feet grow larger. Luckily for our little witch friend she has landed in the home of Maggie an eminently sensible girl who has perhaps also endured some teasing but Maggie has found a strategy to cope. “Everyone has something wrong with them,’ she said. ‘Look at my sticking out ears.” Maggie has a lovely idea. She paints the witch’s shoes and they look fabulous.

Little Big Feet has broken her broomstick. Maggie has a toothbrush that is just the right size for a little broom but before flying home Little Big Feet gives her teeth a thorough brushing and her magical powers are restored. As a parting gift Little Big Feet gives Maggie the gift of flying.

My favorite part of Little Big Feet comes right at the end. The little witch sends a special letter to Maggie with no words just pictures. It is a delight to decipher. This book is almost certainly out of print but again you might be lucky and find a copy in your library. You should also look for other books by husband and wife team Deiter and Ingrid Schubert.

This book might inspire some art such as these wonderful shoes I found.