Cat Ladies

by Susi Schaefer, Susi Schaefer (Illustrator)

Overview

This witty picture book explores the loving bond between cats and their humans

Princess has four ladies. Some cats say that’s too many, but there’s no such thing! Taking care of all these ladies can be a lot of work, but Princess doesn’t mind. She knows how to keep them happy with grooming, cuddling, and all the treats they want. Princess has everything under control until, one day, a mysterious stray appears. There’s a little girl in Princess’s favorite napping spot, surrounded by her ladies! Princess is overwhelmed with jealousy, and she leaves the house in a huff. But when Princess runs into trouble, the stray comes to her rescue. Maybe the stray can fit in with Princess and her ladies after all. Of course, she’ll need proper training first!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419740824
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	04/07/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,097,858
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Susi Schaefer trained as a glass painter in the medieval town of Rattenberg, Austria, before moving to Southern California to study graphic design. She’s the illustrator of Zoo Zen by Kristen Fischer. Cat Ladies is her author-illustrator debut. She lives in North Tustin, California, with her family. Find her online at susischaefer.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @susischaeferart.


Susi Schaefer trained as a glass painter in the medieval town of Rattenberg, Austria, before moving to Southern California to study graphic design. She’s the illustrator of Zoo Zen by Kristen Fischer. Cat Ladies is her author-illustrator debut. She lives in North Tustin, California, with her family. Find her online at susischaefer.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @susischaeferart.

Editorial Reviews

02/17/2020

Princess, a fluffy white cat, lives with her four well-trained older ladies—caring for them takes plenty of work, but “Princess didn’t mind. They were cute and cuddly and gave her all the treats she could want.” The pampered feline “got glam” with Millie on grooming days, accompanies Molly out for treats on errand days, bird watches with Merthel, and rocks “a wailing duet” with Maridl in the household’s band. Secure in her place, Princess is bewildered when she finds the ladies surrounding a “mysterious stray” (a human child), having done all their tasks without her. Suddenly flung from the spotlight, Princess decides she’s better off on her own, only to become unceremoniously stuck in a nearby fence. It takes the ladies, plus one stray “with excellent hearing,” to bring Princess back where she belongs. Bright and bold digital collage by Schaefer (Zoo Zen) infuses the illustrations with appealing texture and depth, adding whimsy to this story about change and belonging for feline lovers of all stripes: “Now Princess has five ladies. Some cats say that’s too many... but there is no such thing.” Ages 4–8. Agent: Brooks Sherman, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

". . . An entertaining spin on the crazy cat lady trope, and viewers are sure to fall in love with Princess and her motley crew."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

2020-01-21
A pampered pet initially resents the ways an interloper disrupts her routine.

The brisk, quirky, tongue-in-cheek text is told in the third person from Princess the cat’s point of view. It begins by introducing Princess’ “four ladies” and describing the various activities they share with her. Busy with personal grooming, running errands, bird-watching, and singing with the eponymous band, Princess is perfectly happy until a “stray” comes into their lives. She tries to maintain the status quo, but the newcomer seems to have taken her place. Feeling neglected, she slinks off to spend some time alone (and possibly sulk a bit). Comic touches include reversing stereotypical statements (“Some cats say [four ladies is] too many”), echoes of traditional tales (Princess’ search for a private spot leads to places that are “too high…too hard…and…too cramped”), and depicting the unwanted guest as a human child rather than another cat. Unfortunately, these light touches can’t entirely compensate for the somewhat predictable plot and Princess’ abrupt about-face. Schaefer’s illustrations are busy and energetic, with varying textures that give them a collaged feel. Retro shades of teal and mustard dominate, complementing the blocky shapes and geometric motifs. Princess’ simply drawn features effectively communicate a variety of emotions. Two of her ladies have light-brown skin, as does the young visitor, implying racial and/or ethnic diversity.

This feline protagonist makes peace with the newcomer but may not prevail over more engaging cat tales. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews