Puss in Boots

By: Charles Perrault

Genre: Fantasy

Age Range: K-3rd grade. This book is appropriate for this age group because of the talking animals, the pictures go hand-in-hand with the reading keeping the attention of young readers, and allows for expansion of language.

Plot: A miller dies and leaves nothing for his three sons except his mill, donkey, and cat. They divide them up with the oldest getting the mill, second oldest getting the donkey, and the youngest getting the cat. The youngest is unhappy but the cat promises him it will be worth his while. The cat begins to catch game and give it to the game saying it is from his master, the Marquis of Carabas. The king is very pleased and Puss continues to manipulate and out smart everyone including a giant Ogre. Puss tricked him into turning into a mouse and ate him leaving his lands and castle to his master. This impressed the king so much that the Marquis married the princess that same day.

Characters: Puss, the Marquis of Carabas (the youngest son), and the Ogre.

Setting: French countryside hundreds of years ago

Theme: Little things can accomplish big tasks

Illustrations: Fred Marcellino; Following the story exactly, the illustrations help to keep the attention of the children allowing them to also see the story and help keep up.

Awards: Caldecott  Medal (1990)