Reviews for Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed

by Leslea Newman

School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

PreS-Gr 2-Musicians and cat lovers alike will enjoy this charming picture book based on a true story. Moshe Cotel, a young composer, lives alone in a busy, noisy city, but "Everything he heard was music to his ears." One day he discovers Ketzel, a tiny, black-and-white kitten, on the street. He holds her tenderly to his chest and declares, "I will take you home, and we will make beautiful music together," prophetic words, to say the least. When Moshe receives a letter from the Paris New Music Review about a contest to write a composition of 60 seconds or less, try as he might, he is at a loss. Then, Ketzel creeps across the keyboard, inadvertently accomplishing what the composer could not. "Moshe grabbed a pencil and jotted down exactly what he'd heard.. `Your composition has a clear beginning, middle, and end, is full of heart, and takes exactly 21 seconds to play. Ketzel, you're a genius!'" The feline's "Piece for Piano: Four Paws" wins an honorable mention, and its furry composer actually attends a performance. The watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations depict a busy city, a sympathetic bearded musician, and a simply adorable protagonist. VERDICT A delightful read.-Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This reality-based story concerns composer Moshe Cotel and his adopted kitten, Ketzel, whose run across the piano keyboard results in a special mention from the Paris New Music Review for the twenty-one-second composition, "Piece for Piano: Four Paws." In watercolor, gouache, and pencil, the illustrations convey an appealing human-animal bond. An author's note explains the true events that inspired the book. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

*Starred Review* Composer Moshe Cotel lives in a noisy building in the middle of a noisy street in the middle of a noisy city, but everything is music to his ears. One day, he hears a new noise: a frightened kitten mewling. He names her Ketzel Yiddish for cat and takes her home, where she spends happy hours listening to Moshe playing piano. An announcement of the Paris New Music Review's contest arrives in the mail, calling for compositions of 60 seconds or less. Moshe finds this impossible until Ketzel creeps across the piano keys and plays a lovely tune with a clear beginning, middle, and end. And it's only 21 seconds long! Piece for Piano: Four Paws, by Ketzel Cotel, wins special mention in the contest. When Moshe and Ketzel appear for its debut, no one believes she wrote it, but Four Paws becomes famous, even earning her $19.72 in royalties. Based on a true incident, this delightfully told story is unlikely and adorable in equal parts. Bates' watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations feature an unanthropomorphic kitty whose inquisitive and quizzical nature will be familiar to all cat owners. The author's note offers all the answers readers will want. An absolute charmer!--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2015 Booklist


Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A cat strolls down a piano keyboard and saunters into musical history. Composer Moshe Cotel finds a stray kitten near his home and dubs her Ketzel, Yiddish for "little cat." One day a letter arrives, announcing a contest for a piece lasting one minute or less. Moshe toils away at his piano, but nothing he composes meets the time limit, and he gives up. Aiming to pounce on the grievous paperKetzel just knows it's causing her guardian's distressshe walks across the keys to reach the table where the letter lies. Little does she know what she's wrought. Moshe is astounded by what he's heard, immediately reproduces the notes on paper, and mails the "composition" off. In time another letter arrivescongratulating Ketzel on her award of "a certificate of special mention" for her "creative instinct and imagination." There's more: "Piece for Piano: Four Paws," will be performed! News of Ketzel's extraordinary achievement spreads, and she receives a royalty check that buys a bounty of cat food. This adorable account is as warm and fuzzy as Ketzel herself and all the sweeter because it's based on fact. The watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations suit the text perfectly, delightfully capturing Ketzel's furriness, the story's charming, lively energy, and Moshe and the "composer's" loving friendship. Truly, the cat's meow. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.


Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Here's a lovely tale of cross-species affection and creativity, based on a true story (recounted in an afterword). While seeking inspiration in the busy streets of New York City, a composer and pianist named Moshe Cotel finds and adopts a stray kitten, bestowing it with the Yiddish name Ketzel (for "kitten"). Ketzel proves more than a companion: when Moshe needs an entry for a music competition restricted to pieces no longer than one minute, the kitten steps in and composes a piece by walking across the keys (Moshe dubs it "Piece for Piano: Four Paws" and gives her full credit). Newman's great affection for her subject is evident, yet she never crosses into cutesiness or sentimentality; her reportorial tone is a perfect match for her down-to-earth, generous hero. Bates, working in hues of parchment and gold, produces some wonderfully warm vignettes, pushing the graceful realism of her watercolor, gouache, and pencil drawings just enough to add a glint of magic to a story that's already one of a kind. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. Illustrator's agency: Shannon Associates. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.