Fleming, Denise.  1998.  Mama Cat Has Three Kittens.  New York:  Henry Holt & Company.  ISBN:  0805057455
While Fluffy and Skinny do everything that Mama Cat does, their brother Boris sleeps.  After a busy day of play and exploration, the tired little kittens curl up with Mama and join her for a nap.  This is when Boris comes to life.  Now it�s his turn to wash his paws, pounce, and play.  When he grows weary from all his activity, he plops down on Mama Cat and the other kittens and falls fast asleep . . . again.   Boris clearly marches to the beat of a different drummer, but that seems to be just fine with Mama Cat and the rest of the family.

A subplot of the book, though not mentioned in text, will delight observant young �readers.�  A mouse appears in almost every scene, wending its way silently through the story.  On the back page of the book, the mouse is discovered back home in her nest filled with baby mice.  Each spread in the book is richly detailed with lush foliage and tiny creatures, which children will enjoy discovering. 

The young child�s natural interest in animals gives this book immediate appeal, as does the warmth and security the kittens find with Mama Cat.  Preschoolers and primary grade children will enjoy the repetition and rhythm of the story, which lends itself nicely to participation reading:  �When Mama Cat� does something, �Fluffy and Skinny� do the same, followed by the simple refrain, �Boris naps.�  �The text is minimal yet strong, with a repetitive aspect that is perfect for the very young.� (Booklist, November 15, 1998)

Every page is awash in vivid color impressionistic art, created by cotton rag fiber poured through hand-cut stencils.  The large type font is easy to read, and is a fitting counterpart to the bold artwork.  Kirkus Reviews (August 1, 1998) observes that �The story is charming, but remains almost incidental to Fleming's eye-rattling artwork��

This charming little picture book, written and illustrated by Denise Fleming, celebrates the individuality of Boris and Mama�s acceptance of him just as he is. Children who sometimes hear the beat of a different drummer will identify with Boris, and know that they are just fine, too.


Awards & Special Recognition for Mama Cat Has Three Kittens
ALA Notable Book
Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly Commended Title
Michigan Reading Association Reader�s Choice Award
New York Public Library�s List of One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing
Nick Jr. Magazine Ten Can�t Miss Classics


Related Websites
Denise Fleming�s Website, including a photograph of Mama Cat:  http://www.denisefleming.com

Biographical Sketch of Denise Fleming:  http://www.friend.ly.net/scoop/biographies/flemingdenise/

Learn About Pulp Painting:
http://www.hbook.com/studio_fleming.shtml


Sources
Books in Print [database online].  Available from http://www.booksinprint.com.  Accessed via TWU Library 10 September 2004.

Denise Fleming.  2004.  Online home of children�s author/illustrator Denise Fleming. Available from http://www.denisefleming.com.  Accessed 10 September 2004.
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