One Moon, Two Cats

One Moon, Two Cats

By Laura Godwin

Illustrations by Yoko Tanaka

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Published 2011

From a storyteller’s point of view, the only thing this beautiful work of art is missing is an introduction. After the first read of this book, even some adults may not grasp that this book contrasts and compares two cats are in two different places—one in the country, one in the city. When I used this book in preschool storytime this week, I set up the story by talking briefly about how some cats live in town and some live out in the country...but they both like lots of the same things. “Let’s take a look at the things these two cats like that are the same.” With that little introduction, the book was much more meaningful to the listeners.

This is such a visually appealing book. Being a cat lover myself, I would be happy to frame any of these illustrations and hang them on my walls. They are carefully executed in a soft palette of greens, grays and browns that expertly capture the essence of nighttime that felines enjoy so much. Three cheers to Yoko Tanaka!

The text by Laura Godwin is also a work of art. There is not a single word I would add or leave out. The words work like magic to create an aesthetic whole, uniting words, design and illustrations in a soothing, symbiotic relationship. The panoramic paintings on the front and back endpapers are gallery-worthy and worked as excellent visuals to illustrate my introductory concept of town and country.

This is one of the most visually pleasing picture books of the year. Go out and get a copy for you and your favorite cats!