Millions of Cats

Millions of Cats Review 

By Kelly Hartman

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gag, Wanda. Millions of Cats. New York: Coward-McCann, 1956 ISBN 0698200918

PLOT SUMMARY

An old man sets out an adventure to grant his lonely wife's wish; one sweet little cat to call their own.  After he discovers a hill full of cats, he struggles to choose just one.  He returns home with all of the cats, but soon encounters a huge problem.  How will the old couple care for "trillions of cats"? With one question, their problem is resolved and they are left with a most wonderful treasure.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS 

It's no wonder that this Newbery Honor has stood the test of time, remaining the oldest American children's book still in print. Readers will identify with want of a pet in an effort to cure feelings of loneliness.  Gag's simple, yet unique descriptions of each cat, creates a tension for the reader much like that of the old man. It is difficult to choose just one.  Excitement builds as the old man travels back home with "hundreds, thousands, millions and billions and trillions of cats", yet even the youngest of readers will sense a problem on the horizon. When the cats drain the pond and devour the grass on a hill, the reader knows that too much of a good thing is indeed a terrible thing. The climatic turning point is reached when the cats fight to their deaths to be named the prettiest.  Ironically, the old man and old woman are left with a "very homely little cat", but their care and love help to turn it into "the most beautiful cat in the whole world." 

The black and white sketches depicting trillions of cats is mesmerizing.  The reader gets lost in a trance of the hills, valleys, and roads lined with so many felines; "cats here, cats there, cats and kittens everywhere." By the end of the story, readers will not be able to escape from the repetitive chorus, "Hundreds of cat, Thousands of cat, Million and billions and trillions of cats." Gag achieves a subtle message that still rings true for today's readers; less is more.  

AWARD AND REVIEW EXCERPTS 

1929 John Newbery Honor Book

1958 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

1977 Kerlan Award

2017 Indies Choice Book Award, Picture Book Hall of Fame  

SLJ Top 100 Picture Books #21

"Considered by many to have ushered in the age of the modern picture book, this Newbery Honor winner is characterized by innovative design and a strong storyteller’s cadence.” -SLJ review 

CONNECTIONS

Gather...More Black and White Illustrated Picture Books 

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey  ISBN-13 : 978-0140501698

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey  ISBN-13 : 978-0140564341

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf  ISBN-13 : 978-0670674244

Research Cats with a Non-Fiction Paired Selection

Curious Cats by Katie Kawa ISBN-13: 978-1-43395-586-0

What Cats are Made of  by Hanokh Piven  ISBN-13: 978-1-41691-531-7

Learn How to Draw Cats

Learn to Draw Cats and Kittens: Step by Step Instructions for More than 25 Favorite Feline Friends by Robbin Cuddy  ISBN-13: 978-1-939581-66-2

Compare to Recent Newbery Winners

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander ISBN-13: 978-1-32878-096-6

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña ISBN-13: 978-0-399-25774-2

TeachingBooks Resources

Millions of Cats

Reference 

TeachingBooks.net (n.d.) TeachingBooks | Millions of Cats. Retrieved from https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=4536