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But Who Will Bell the Cats?

(2009, Fiction - Folklore, Written by Cynthia von Buhler, Illustrated by Cynthia von Buhler)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 3; suggested age 5.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Fable retold with fabulous artwork and an updated twist.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 5 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    This is a pleasant, entertaining introduction to one of Aesop's fables, and therefore to the rest of his work. Also,  the unique artwork will inspire readers to think creatively about illustrations and the fun of building sets. 

  • Messages:

    The bat and mouse work together to make, and execute, a plan to improve their plight. The princess is kind to them, which is part of the joy of the solution.

  • Role models:

    The mouse is very resourceful and thoughtful. The princess is kind. The cats, while not truly mean adversaries -- only mischievous -- all deserve bells around their necks.

  • Illustrations:

    The artwork is intriguing, and the idea behind it is uniquely creative. Each colorfully ornate page is a photograph of an actual set built by von Buhler out of wood and plaster, and filled with miniature props. The characters are painted on paper, cut out, and placed in the scenes that she built.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    A few actions are more mean than violent, and not really graphically portrayed. The cats catch the mouse and play ping pong with him, use him as a puck in a hockey game, and nearly bake both the mouse and the bat in birthday pies.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About But Who Will Bell the Cats?

Parents need to know that this story is based on one of Aesop's fables. This retelling includes princesses and castles as well as cats and mice. 

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • What does it mean "to bell the cat"? Why will that solve the problem the mouse and bat are having? How did the princess help?
  • Some of the pages are split into two levels. What does that say about the way the cats lived versus how the mouse and bat lived? Do you think that was fair? How would you change it?
  • The princess was kind to the mouse and bat.  How did that help them?
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