Christopher Moning (Children's Literature)
Anyone who has ever wondered how and why cats purr will find a fascinating explanation in this book. Mother Holly has always had to keep a close eye on Cat, who is prone to making messes and causing mischief. One day when Mother Holly has errands to run, she gives Cat a list of chores, along with a warning to be on his best behavior, or "it will be so much the worse for you." Though Cat has good intentions, each of his attempts at completing chores ends up a magical disaster--for Mother Holly's house is filled with magic. When Cat swallows a magic kernel of corn, he suddenly has the ability to purr. Lucky for Cat, Mother Holly is delighted with Cat's newfound talent, and the pair settles down contentedly. Children and grown-ups alike will revel in the lighthearted, colorful illustrations and chuckle over Cat's clever antics. 2000, Dutton Children's Books/Penguin Putnam, $16.99. Ages 7 to 10.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2000 (Vol. 68, No. 13))
An original pour quoi tale explaining why cats have the ability to purr, pleasing both themselves and their owners. The crafty feline in this story, Cat, is a lazy, mischievous sort who lives with Mother Holly, an incarnation of Mother Nature who has special responsibilities for all the creatures of the earth. While Mother Holly is tending to her business away from their cottage, Cat ignores his chores and disobeys the rules of the house, only to be met by mysterious forces of nature: an indoor rainstorm, whirling winds, flying popcorn, and a blizzard of both goose feathers and snowflakes. By the time he's cleaned up all these natural disasters, the cottage is tidy except for one last unpopped kernel of corn, which he swallows in haste, causing that magical rumbling sound inside him, like thunder about to explode. Alexander's ("Gypsy Riska", 1999. etc) story has the ring of a traditional tale, but it's Schachner's ("The Grannyman", 1999, etc.) bold illustrations that make Cat spring to life, with several double-page spreads of the cat pouncing, leaping, or standing on his head. The oversized format and lively story line make this a fine read-aloud for a group, although there are also tiny hidden details (including a pair of miniature trouble-making mice and a portrait of Alexander on the wall) that will reward those who read the book one-on-one with a child. 2000, Dutton, $16.99. Category: Picture book. Ages 5 to 8. © 2000 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Kate McDowell (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September 2000 (Vol. 54, No. 1))
Mother Holly leaves Cat to do a few chores in her cottage while she is out for the day (“I have errands to do: a cooing lesson for my doves; fresh honeysuckle for my bees; and a leaky brook to mend”). Of course, rascal Cat botches the housework: first he spills the soup; then, to clean up the spill, he sprinkles water from Mother Holly’s magic watering can, and a storm starts inside the cottage. Similar catastrophes occur when he tries to stoke the fire with the magic bellows (which summons up a great wind), sets a bag of corn too near to the hearth (which pops and makes the sound of thunder), and makes a small tear in the goose-feather quilt (the feathers of which turn into snow). After much work, everything is cleared away except for a single kernel of popped corn, which Cat quickly eats as he hears Mother Holly entering the cottage. The thundering popcorn in Cat’s belly gives him away, and his housekeeping misadventures are revealed. Schachner’s watercolor and pastel illustrations are warmly cartoonish, showing a convincingly beguiling Cat in various exaggerated poses, which are particularly effective when Cat is shown struggling against the elements that are loosed in the cottage. The cottage setting is bright and busy but not overwhelmingly cluttered, and it includes touches of humor such as Mother Holly’s ruffled undies hanging in a corner. Alexander’s original tale progresses with the easy feel of folklore, and children will delight in this mischievous pourquoi tale about how Cat got his purr. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2000, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2000, Dutton, 40p, $16.99. Grades 2-4.