Nini Here and There

My two year old absolutely loves this book. The story is long enough to keep it interesting and short enough to keep her attention. The artwork is beautiful too.

My 3-year old got this book from the library and LOVES it; we've memorized it. Now every cat she sees is named "Nini." The illustrations are wonderful, with a nice air of imagination. The story is sweet and full of warmth. The book is told from the cat's perspective in an enchanting manner, with not too many words detracting from the magic of the pictures.

If you think cats don't know what is what, then you don't live with a cat. Nini knows her humans are going somewhere and she wants to go, not so much to go, as NOT to be left behind. She knows what goes--suitcase, a pile of shoes, a box of books, and a guitar--and perches on those one after the other as if to say: I want to go, too! No, not in the black thing (her travel bag). But in she goes! Several pages later (and you must see those pages!) Nini is released in a beautiful country setting where she explores. That night she is brought in for her food and then perches on a window sill and enjoys the setting sun and rising moon. Nini is on a grand adventure. I was confused the first time I read this. Not that the story is confusing--it isn't--I thought the humans were moving. The book flap explains that Anita Lobel and family live in New York City and spend the summer in Vermont. Nini is their cat. Oh, OK, Nini is having an adventure each summer, but needs reassuring about not being left behind. People are like that, too. The watercolor and goache combination is simply gorgeous. The result is the transparency of watercolor with the opaqueness of goache, making the colors at once intense yet warm. Some of the pages are similar to Matisse's wild, vibrant artwork and worthy to be framed. The cat lover will smile at recognition at the ways of cats. This is a fine, fun, sweet book that will appeal to both children and adults. Highly recommended.

This is the most darling book, with a sweet story and beautiful drawings. Good for any age.

I have not even read this book, but I just heard its spectacular review on NPR this morning, and I would love to read it and check out the beautiful artwork.