I Want a Cat

From the Publisher
Jessy feels she is the only girl in the world without a pet, and she badly wants a cat. Her parents can’t stand cats. But Jessy is determined to have one, so she makes herself a fluffy white cat suit and refuses to take it off until her parents buy her a real cat. She even eats raw fish under the table! Jessy’s parents finally give in, but to their surprise Jessy has changed her mind about wanting a cat, and has set her sights on something else…

Publishers Weekly
Jessy resorts to droll and unusual measures in her determination to have a feline friend; PW found Ross’s antic illustrations “full of wind, light, shadow, movement and whimsy.” Ages 3-7. (Apr.)

School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3– Jessy wants a cat more than anything else in the world, but her parents will only give her toy cats. Jessy rebels by stubbornly dressing up in a white cat suit which she states defiantly will not come off until she gets a real live cat of her own. She sleeps curled up on her bedroom floor and then meanders over to stand on the neighbors’ garden wall, howling at the moon, “I want a cat!” Of course, the neighbors think it’s a great idea–give the kid a cat so she’ll stop acting like one. Finally her father goes to the pet shop to choose a cat, but when he returns, Jessy meets him at the door dressed up in a homemade dog suit yelling “Woof! Woof! . . . I want. . . .” Ross’ crayon-like illustrations add an effective touch of wry humor, bringing readers closer to Jessy and her determined reaction to her parents’ refusal to grant her request. The fact that her actions are not reflective of bad behavior, but simply her lighthearted attempt not to give up and to drive her point home makes Jessy even more likeable. A funny, delightful story and a good read-aloud choice. –Leslie Barban, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, S.C.