Mrs Katz Views
Mrs. Katz is Larnel’s next door neighbor. He knows she’s a nice old lady, but that’s about it. But one day he discovers a stray kitten and wants to help it. He asks Mrs. Katz, and she agrees as long as Larnel promises to help take care of the kitten. She names it Tush, and Larnel sticks to his promise, visiting her each and every day to help take care of the little cat. During his time with her, Larnel learns many fascinating things about his elderly neighbor and she has someone to talk to. She tells him about coming to America all the way from Poland. She recounts stories of her beloved husband. She tells Larnel about her Jewish culture and the things that have happened to her people throughout the years and all the tough times. Larnel is awed by all that his neighbor has been through and how closely it matches his own heritage.
Polacco loves to bring together different cultures, teaching readers not only about cultural differences and similarities – all of which make them special – but also delivering history lessons through captivating tales. Mrs. Katz and Tush once again puts together African American heritage and the Jewish culture and all their past histories. Readers can also see the bond that even youngsters can have with the elderly and all that they can share together. Both adults and kids have enjoyed this story and all that it offers them. Polacco’s simple yet detailed illustrations help animate this story, making it all the more realistic, from the wrinkles in Mrs. Katz’s face to Tush’s innocent kitty face.
If you like cats then you will like this story. This story is about a woman who came from Poland who was very lonely and who didn?t have anybody to talk to. Every day an African American woman came to Mrs. Katz?s house to see how she was doing. Sometimes her son Larnel comes with her but never talks. One day, Larnel told Mrs. Katz that he would come over ever day after school to help her. When...
This heartwarming story begins when Larnel, an African American boy, gives a kitten to his lonely neighbor, Mrs. Katz. During Lionel's daily visits, while snacking on kugel (noodle pudding), he learns about Mrs. Katz's early life in Poland, about her late husband Myron, and about her life as a Jewish immigrant to the U.S. Over time, Lionel and Mrs. Katz form a close bond. They lose (then find) Tush and they visit Myron's grave. Then Mrs. Katz hosts Lionel for a traditional Passover seder, where she draws similarities between the experiences of Jews and African Americans. This unusual friendship carries into the next generation as we see, on the last page, a grown-up Lionel with his baby, visiting Mrs. Katz while Tush's descendant watches. In this book, Polacco deftly explores complicated themes through characters that both children and adults can relate to. Her illustrations are beautifully rendered in charcoal and watercolors. Revieweru: Miriam Chernick
Mrs Katz Images
