“Come Here, Cleo” by Stella Blackstone, Illustrated by Caroline Mockford, 2001, Barefoot Books, $6.99, board book, 22 pages; “Cleo and Caspar” by Stella Blackstone, Illustrated by Caroline Mockford, 2001, Barefoot Books, $14.99, hardbound, 22 pages
Companions to the marvelous “Cleo the Cat,” these two books are a must for early readers. “Come Here, Cleo” is about a curious little cat who decides to explore her yard. She encounters butterflies and a bird, and even tumbles harmlessly out of a tree before one of her human guardians calls her to him.
There’s a bit of adventure, a lot of charm, and readers will easily fall in love (again) with the dynamic tabby. The rhymes are not so precise as to be annoying, and are likely to help children learn words. If you read this book out loud to your child (or your younger brother or sister), you may like the story as much as they do.
In the next Cleo installment, “Cleo and Caspar,” the young cat gets a new sibling: a puppy named Caspar. This story tells how Cleo and Caspar learn to get along. When Caspar interrupts Cleo’s life, their introductory meeting does not go smoothly. Through time and a talk with one of her human companions, Cleo learns to accept and love her new brother. This is a terrific book to help both younger kids and older ones come to terms with having a new brother or sister. Plus it’s written for early readers to help them learn to love reading.
Both stories are warmly told, and as always, Caroline Mockford’s art ideally complements Stella Blackstone’s writing style. The art is bright with a simple whimsy, and Blackstone brings to life an enchanting and unforgettable character in Cleo. Both books are available in various formats. The board book format is great for children who are rough or who like to gnaw on the pages.
Apart from the imaginative Cleo the Cat series, Stella Blackstone has written the Bear books (“Bear in a Square,” “Bear at Home,” etc.), some of which have been translated into French or Spanish. She has also collaborated with Caroline Mockford again with “Walk with Me! and Talk with Me!” Caroline Mockford has illustrated such books as “The Elephant’s Ears” and “What’s This?: A Seed’s Story” (which she also wrote).
>>Lee’s take: Sure to be read again and again.
>>J.J.’s take: Sure to become a favorite in your library.
LEE and J.J. MacFadden are twins and voracious readers living in Bristol, Tenn. E-mail at leeandjj>doubletake@yahoo.com.
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