The title of Laura Bontje’s playful image e-book is a palindrome sentence that may be learn ahead or backward. Palindromes are one thing that Hannah, protagonist of the pleasant Was It a Cat I Saw?, loves: As Bontje tells us, “Anything Hannah could do forwards, she could do backwards too.” Hannah likes palindromes a lot that she not solely sees them in every single place—she additionally speaks in them.
Hannah is usually alone in her palindrome-filled world till she meets a boy who has misplaced his cat. The feline’s identify is Otto, of course! As they search their neighborhood for the lacking feline, Hannah finds that her new pal appreciates wordplay simply as a lot as she does. After assembly a selection of individuals and pets alongside the best way, the 2 do discover Otto, however it then seems they’ve strayed so removed from residence that they’ve develop into misplaced. Never concern, although: Hannah has a trick up her sleeve to get them residence secure and sound. (Astute readers might be able to choose up on the clues that reveal Otto’s journey—and the youngsters’s manner residence.) Once again residence, Hannah finds out her new pal’s identify, in a closing shock for readers.
Each palindrome phrase or phrase is bolded, enabling younger readers to simply determine them. Illustrator Emma Lidia Squillari’s muted palette consists of mild pinks, greens and yellows, giving the illustrations a conventional, retro really feel. While the 2 important characters are white, there may be some range offered within the youngsters and households they encounter on their journey.
Picture books encouraging wordplay make for enjoyable read-alouds for the preschool crowd, and Was It a Cat I Saw? is a superb alternative for both the house or classroom. Even older readers who think about themselves past image books should still be impressed to comply with Hannah and begin searching for palindromes in every single place they go.
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