john stadler

While this book was really tough to paint (putting in all those cats turned me into a human pretzel), there isn't a thing I'd change in either the story or pictures. That doesn't happen very often. It's a pleasure when it does!

*SPANISH/ENGLISH & FRENCH/ENGLISH EDITIONS

*BOOKLIST EDITORS' CHOICE
*BEST OF THE BEST 1997; CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
*GEORGIA BOOK AWARD NOMINEE
*"DICK'S PICK": Selected by legendary editor Richard "Dick" Jackson as one of his favorite titles
*THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF NEW HAMPSHIRE:
an interactive, life-size exhibit
*STATE LIBRARY OF LOUISIANA: Highly Recommended Picture Books
*READ ALOUD AMERICA: Book List

Reviews:

"Mrs. Calamari has cats, lots of them, but her new landlord, Mr. Gangplank, and his dog, Potato, do not like cats. Fortunately, Mr. Gangplank has lost his glasses so he believes Mrs. Calamari when she says she doesn't have cats... This has everything going for it: true humor, adorable artwork, and a story that hangs together from beginning to end. The cat's meow!"
*Starred Review, Booklist*

"...true humor, expertly executed artwork, and a cartload of adorable cats."
*Booklist, Editors' Choice*

"From its title to its last page, absolutely inspired silliness from Stadler... Mrs. Calamari, with her smooth white hair in a bun, and Mr. Gangplank, with his mustache and wild hair, are no less endearing than the dozens of cats attired suitably for each of Mrs. Calamari's ruses. Stadler's ink line is quick and lively, holding his bright, matte colors in place. Great loony stuff."
*Kirkus Reviews*

"Stadler's cats are just bizarre enough (like his unusual "Hector, the Accordion-nosed Dog") to delight readers, who will undoubtedly search for them on each page."
*School Library Journal*