The Cats in the Doll Shop
By Yona Zeldis McDonough; Heather Maione (Illustrator)
(Viking Juvenile, Hardcover, 9780670012794)
Publication Date: November 10, 2011
Other Editions of This Title: Google eBook, Paperback
Categories: Animals - Cats, Historical - United States - 20th Century, Toys, Dolls, & Puppets
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When Anna spots a cat in the yard behind her parents' doll shop, she is excited. Then she realizes the cat is about to have kittens--even better! And Anna has something else to look forward to: her cousin Tania is coming from Russia to stay with Anna's family. Anna already has two sisters, but she and Tania are the exact same age--eleven--and she imagines they will get along perfectly. But Tania doesn't respond to Anna's friendly overtures, and her sisters don't seem to like Tania at all. Luckily, Anna finds a creative way to use her love of dolls and cats to bring everyone together.
Yona Zeldis McDonough is a longtime doll lover and collector. She is also an award-winning author who has published numerous books for children and adults. She presently lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
Heather Maione loved dolls when she was a child, though not quite as much as she loved to draw. The illustrator of numerous children’s books, she lives on Long Island with her husband and two children.
"...a sweet and old-fashioned story, similar in style to Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family, set in World War I-era New York. Sensitive readers will relate to Anna's desire to make everything right for her cousin..."
-School Library Journal, starred review
"Filled with references to Jewish traditions and the rich history of tenement life in New York City, these fully realized characters could be best friends with the girls from Sydney Taylor’s All-of-a-Kind Family. A quiet treasure."
-Kirkus
"...a charming period piece that capitalizes on the nostalgia for its historical era without losing its emotional resonance with young readers. The black-and-white line illustrations are pleasingly romantic, primarily featuring Anna and her siblings dressed much like a certain American Girl Doll, along with the occasional furry kitty. Between the cats, the dolls, and the cozy family drama, what’s not to love?"
-Bulletin for the Council of Children's Books
"McDonough does a wonderful job of capturing Anna's thoughts and feelings and bringing the reader into her world. Anna's compassion for her cousin and the cats will endear her to readers. Fans of Fancy Nancy and the American Girl series will find this book delightful, and will be clamoring for a sequel."
-Library Media Connection
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