When reading the title I read, The Cat, the Owl and the Fresh Fish as “The Cat and Owl” making me think this was going to be an Owl and Pussycat remake. Was it going to be “modern” or keep to the classic format? Was it going to be long, short or…. Oh, wait it has this fish thing going on, too. Well maybe I will read then (I thought) as it is going to be different.
It is not an Owl and Pussycat story.
Okay, it has an owl and a cat, plus a rowboat, but they are not in love and there is no moon, just some fish and a clever trickster tale. Nadine Robert created a story where Owl has gotten its claw stuck in a stump, and Cat wanders by, not seeing Owl but only a rowboat and the bucket of fish sitting on it. Owl then speaks up asking for help, but the Cat tries to be clever and get the fish for themselves and not help Owl in the process. Yet, Owl is a wise ol’ bird and has a few clever tricks up its feathers. And surprise (to the cat, but not the adult reader), things do not workout the way Cat thought.
Sang Miao has clever illustrations that mimic a classic folktale. The two characters are dapperly dressed, things are neatly organized, detailed and colors reflect old school style. However, a modern reader will have no problem relating to it. The illustrations allow this book to be “read” via text and art and allowing for a younger audience to enjoy as well. The age does lean towards at least five and up, however.
Another one of my read online via Edelweiss, this book is due mid-February 2023.