Gatsby Again

In March I reviewed the first book in the series, Gatsby's Grand Adventures. Now book two in the series is out and it's as good as the first one.

Each of Barbara Cairn's books in this series is about a cat named Gatsby who has the magical ability to jump into a classical painting at night. This time the painting is The Apple Seller by Auguste Renoir.

Gatsby wants to play with the little girls in the picture, but he forgot to take the dog into account. Oh, oh!

The picture is completely changed because of the cat's error. Will he be able to get back and make everything right before anyone sees what has happened?

The story will appeal to kids as young as five years old and the information in the back about Renoir and links to websites about him will be helpful to older kids and even adults wanting to learn more about that famous artist.

The illustrator, Eugene Ruble, does an excellent job of capturing the feeling of the art without imitating it.

This book would be a great addition to school libraries and make a good gift for kids who are interested in art or who like to use their imaginations.

Gatsby's Grand Adventures

Winslow Homer's famous painting, Snap the Whip, portrays boys playing a game that was popular with kids over 100 years ago. In this book for kids Gatsby the cat has the magical ability to jump into paintings at night. But if he doesn't get back into his own world before dawn, the art will be changed and that's what happens in Snap the Whip. Gatsby tries several times to return into the painting and correct the changes that happened because of his visits, but keeps being delayed by his adventures until it's too late.

The author, Barbara Cairns, does a wonderful job of getting kids interested in this famous work of art and young readers from seven to twelve years old will enjoy the book. There's interesting information about the Winslow Homer that can be used in school reports at the end.

The illustrations by Eugene Ruble add to the charm and will encourage younger kids to enjoy hearing the story read aloud.

I have a feeling Gatsby's Grand Adventures is only the first book about this magical cat.