Branigan's Cat

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Branigan the woodcutter has only one companion--a huge black cat named Llewellyn. The cat's fierce look scares the villagers when Branigan goes into town, and so he can't sell his wood. The next time out, Branigan leaves Llewellyn home alone. Unfortunately, it's Halloween night, and the ghost of the hut's former owner comes back to claim it. Llewellyn and the ghost get into a scuffle, and an oil lamp is overturned, setting the cottage on fire. Llewellyn flees to the woods where he has several magical encounters before he returns, a year later, to save the besieged village from the ghost. The cat is a hero and he is happily reunited with Branigan. While the text never achieves a narrative flow, Ewing's illustrations effectively carry the story. Jacobs and Galdone's King of the Cats (Clarion, 1980) is spookier fare, but those who have trouble meeting the demand for holiday books may want to consider this one. --Lori A. Janick, Parkwood Elementary School, Pasadena, TX
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.