Kitty Fantastic in Monroe’s Art Adventure

Pamela Key
A Better Be Write Publisher (2006)
ISBN 9780977197118
Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (6/06)


When Monroe asks, “Mom, how do you get to do art?” he begins an art adventure. Soon he learns about Abstract art, Expressionism, Surrealism, Classic Realism and illustration.

Monroe also discovers that art takes many forms including writing both fiction and nonfiction. He suggests ideas for science fiction and historical stories. He considers drama. He explores some nonfiction ideas including biography. Monroe even considers writing music, yet another art form. An all-animal jazz band appeals to him.

By the time he finishes talking with his mom about art, Monroe and the reader learn a lot about an important topic. Cleverly woven throughout the parent-child conversation, Kitty Fantastic delivers a self-focused monologue in which he stars in each painting, book or song. He focuses quite often on typical cat desires like eating mice, fish and birds followed by lounging and naps.

Key deftly combines education and entertainment through her writing and illustration. Her art brings each of Monroe and Kitty Fantastic’s potential adventures to life for the young reader. The additional trivia boxes will appeal to parents and teachers.

Actually, so much is combined into this picture book that it feels a bit crowded. I especially found the lack of paragraph breaks on each page annoying. Disregarding the grammar rule to break between each speaker made it hard at times to determine whether Monroe or his mother was speaking. Children probably won’t notice that, though. They’ll be drawn to the solid story and the colorful and inviting illustrations.

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