The classic French fairytale, Puss in Boots, is translated into English and illustrated by the marvelous Marcia Brown in this lovely picture book. Coming to the youngest of three sons as an inheritance, the eponymous feline hero manages to transform his human's fortunes through his clever schemes. Reinventing his human as the Marquis de Carabas, Puss manages to convince the king of France that his master is a great and wealthy nobleman, eventually winning the estate and castle of an ogre for him, as well as the hand of the king's daughter...

Published in 1952, Puss in Boots is a translation of the original tale, Le Maître chat ou le Chat botté, as written by seventeenth-century French author Charles Perrault, whose work has also given us popular versions of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. Brown's telling here is engaging, and her accompanying artwork delightful. It's easy to see why this was a Caldecott Honor book in 1953! As with Brown's Cinderella, which won the Caldecott Medal in 1955, I found the artist's use of color here appealing, and appreciated her elegantly stylized figures. Recommended to young fairy and folktale lovers, and to any picture book readers looking for retellings of the traditional story of Puss in Boots. ( )

"Puss in Boots" by Charles Perrault is a folklore that was originally in the French language. This book was translated and published in America in 1952. Although the book is different from my previous knowledge of Puss in Boots from the movie "Shrek", many similar aspects are portrayed in both the film and original tale. For example, both had a stylish cat wearing boots and a hat whose way with words and charm got him everything he wanted. The original tale by Perrault has a sad beginning of the third son receiving only a cat from his father after he died. The cat, "Puss in Boots" impresses the third son by showing him that the cat can help the son get what he desires. The theme of the story is to make the best out of what one receives. The son did not want the cat, but later realized that the cat could help him have a better life. ( )

This story was fun and exciting. Its about how a boy is helped by his cat. The cat was very sneaky and he did lots of a bad things to get power. I think this story was a pretty cool read. This story is a classic folktale and I think should be read by an older class. ( )

After receiving very little inheritance from his father, a down on his luck boy is helped out by his sly cat. The cat gradually impresses the king with gifts and falsely claiming land and even a castle to his master all so that he and the boy can live a better, fairer, and richer life.

Reading Level: Primary
Genre: Traditional Literature

This is a classic tale retold by Perault. A father leaves his youngest son his cat, which displeases the young man because he believes a cat is worth nothing. Throughout the story the cat proves him wrong. Puss (the cat) asks his master for shoes and a sack full of carrots which he uses to bate and trap game. He takes this game to the king, claiming it is a gift from his master. Through a series of other clever plots Puss succeeds in winning the heart of the princess for his master, thus securing his master's future and his own.