Pajama Press

“Nat the Cat can sleep through anything, even the antics of his rambunctious kitten housemate. He can also sleep in, on, or around anything, including a cooking pot, halfway off a shelf, and of course in the comfort of the window’s sunbeams. The pesky kitten does eventually interfere with Nat and his dreamland—naturally when the rest of the house is quiet—and the two friends engage in some energetic antics while avoiding what actually should be their bedtime.

This rhyming story has a playful tone, great for reading aloud to preschoolers. The adorable illustrations by Tara Anderson, rendered primarily in pencil crayon, will appeal to the target audience a great deal, and may even inspire them to try their hand at similar drawings. The onomatopoeia in words like “whoosh,” “shush” and “hush” further add to the light heartedness of the book, and will be fun for kids to imitate.

Nat the Cat is a good choice for both a preschool storytime and for bedtimes, and young ones will especially find the bright illustrations sweet and charming.”

Thematic links: Cats; Bedtime

—Nicole Rowlinson

“…The text is just right for little ones, and for those wanting to read books on their own. It evokes movement, and typical feline behaviors. The mixed media artwork (pencil crayon, watercolor, gouache, acrylics and glaze) adds charm and delight to the reading. The bright colors and textured images are sure to interest young listeners, while adding a parallel story to the one told in words.

They are sure to want to hear it again and again. So, be prepared!”

Click here to read the full review.

1. Don’t invert syntax for the sake of making a rhyme.

Unnatural phrases, don’t you see,

The end result of this must be!

2. Don’t add “do” before a verb to make the meter fit.

This error many folks do make.

It’s more than my poor ears can take.

3. Don’t strain the pronunciation of a word to make it rhyme. It must rhyme naturally from the last stressed syllable on.

It may look right, but I aver

The stress is inverted on answer.

4. Do have a story arc.

“The sun rose. It was lovely.” Well!

Do you have nothing more to tell?

5. Do avoid trite rhymes.

Breeze, trees. Dove, love. Sigh, cry. Go, fro. Night, tight. Song, along. Need I go on  (and on, and on)?

6. Do use internal rhyme, alliteration, and word play.

When you tickle the fancy and trip the tongue

It’s gear-turning, language-learning, wiggly, giggly fun!

7. Do use contemporary language, situations, and characters.

Perhaps in Queen Victoria’s reign

Their language was delightful,

But oh! to pen such words today

Is absolutely frightful.

Yes, carriages and pocketbooks

And parasols are grand,

But if you’d win your audience,

Examine what’s at hand.

If you ever want your book 

To make it off the shelf,

The child who reads your poetry 

Must recognize herself.