Zesty art and sensitive storytelling light up these two books, the first about an elderly Jewish widow and her young African American neighbor, the second set in Amish country. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

K-Gr 3-- A warm, lovingly told story about an intergenerational relationship. It is the beginning of a long friendship between Mrs. Katz, widowed, childless, and lonely, and her young African-American neighbor, Larnel, when he presents her with a scraggly kitten. On his daily visit to the elderly woman and her pet, they talk about Mrs. Katz's husband, her arrival in the United States from Poland, and the similar experiences of Jews and African-Americans. Larnel accompanies her to say kaddish at her husband's grave, and attends her Passover seder. When Tush has kittens, Mrs. Katz feels fulfilled, a bubee (grandmother) at last. The final illustration shows an adult Larnel with Mrs. Katz holding his baby, and the story ends with him and his family visiting the woman's grave. Mrs. Katz's dialogue reflects her Yiddish background without being obtrusive. The charcoal and watercolor illustrations are in Polacco's usual style, with large areas of white space emphasizing the characters rather than their surroundings. The character portrayals are vivid and lively, with a hint of humor. Polacco pays careful attention to detail, even to the age blemishes on Mrs. Katz's hands. A fine book for group or individual sharing. --Susan Giffard, Englewood Public Library, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Larnel gets to know newly widowed Mrs. Katz when he goes along with his mother to pay a comforting visit; next day, he goes back with a tailless kitten (``Tush'') that she agrees to accept ``if you'll come and help me with her.'' So begins a touching friendship between the lonely old immigrant and the young African-American. ``Such a person,'' Mrs. Katz calls him- -her highest praise; they exchange feelings about being excluded from some places, and when he volunteers to share Passover (her first without Mr. Katz) she explains that it's a celebration of freedom: ``Like your people, my people were slaves.'' Tush has kittens--``at last I am a bubee!'' Much later, Larnel's babies also think of Mrs. Katz as their grandmother: on the last page, there is a kaddish and a headstone inscription: ``Mrs. Katz, Our Bubee...Such a Person.'' A book full of vibrantly idiosyncratic details; in the energetic illustrations, Polacco combines decorative patterns and lively action with her usual panache. Truly affectionate and heartwarming. (Picture book. 4-9)

An African-American boy gets to know his neighbor, an elderly Jewish widow, when he gives her a kitten to adopt. As they spend more time together, Mrs. Katz teaches Larnel about Jewish holidays and customs and about the Jewish experience of slavery and freedom. Polacco's skillful art illustrates a warm story of an unusual friendship. From HORN BOOK 1992, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Ages 5-9. As in Polacco's Chicken Sunday [BKL Mr 15 92], this picture book celebrates both diversity and connection. In a multicultural city neighborhood, a lonely old Jewish widow named Mrs. Katz is helped by those around her and especially by an African American boy, Larnel, who brings her a runty kitten to love. She names the tailless kitten Tush. As Larnel visits Mrs. Katz, she shares her memories of her happy marriage and of immigrant struggle, and she draws Larnel into her traditional celebrations. She speaks in a strong Yiddish idiom ("Larnel, your people and mine are alike. Trouble, we've seen"). The characters are idealized--not a cross word spoken ever--and there's not much development other than the usual twist of the cat being lost, then found, then having kittens a few months later. But Polacco's bright double-spread watercolor paintings are exuberant and individualized without a trace of glamor. The smiling neighbors, in the building and in the crowded local deli, are realistic portraits. Larnel's an eager, gangling boy, but he is a listener and supporter most of the time; the focus is on Mrs. Katz, who's a lumpish, lively, emotional old lady. Their scenes together are full of energy and love. The last page, set years later, shows Larnel holding Mrs. Katz holding his baby. It's an elemental picture of human family. ~--Hazel Rochman