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rebeccabateman's review
2.0
I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this picture book.
The art is sweet, but nothing special, and, without enough reference to the original ninth century Irish poem Pangur Bán, this retelling falls flat.
The art is sweet, but nothing special, and, without enough reference to the original ninth century Irish poem Pangur Bán, this retelling falls flat.
toad_maiden's review
4.0
Beautiful, beautiful! Poets, cat-lovers, and Celtiphiles will all delight in this story. Such moody, unusual illustrations, too.
wordnerd153's review
3.0
A quiet story whose subtlety might be lost on younger readers. Gorgeous, lush illustrations that beg to be lingered over.
rlaferney's review
4.0
Version by W.H. Auden:
Pangur, white Pangur, How happy we are
Alone together, scholar and cat
Each has his own work to do daily;
For you it is hunting, for me study.
Your shining eye watches the wall;
My feeble eye is fixed on a book.
You rejoice, when your claws entrap a mouse;
I rejoice when my mind fathoms a problem.
Pleased with his own art, neither hinders the other;
Thus we live ever without tedium and envy.
The White Cat and the Monk is a wonderful retelling of the classic Old Irish poem “Pangur Bán” from which the above text was translated by W.H. Auden. The narration of Jo Ellen Bogart is simple and Sydney Smith’s classically inspired images are breathtaking. This is a contemplative and quiet picture book about enjoying the pleasure of animals, nature, art, and God. Highly recommended.
Pangur, white Pangur, How happy we are
Alone together, scholar and cat
Each has his own work to do daily;
For you it is hunting, for me study.
Your shining eye watches the wall;
My feeble eye is fixed on a book.
You rejoice, when your claws entrap a mouse;
I rejoice when my mind fathoms a problem.
Pleased with his own art, neither hinders the other;
Thus we live ever without tedium and envy.
The White Cat and the Monk is a wonderful retelling of the classic Old Irish poem “Pangur Bán” from which the above text was translated by W.H. Auden. The narration of Jo Ellen Bogart is simple and Sydney Smith’s classically inspired images are breathtaking. This is a contemplative and quiet picture book about enjoying the pleasure of animals, nature, art, and God. Highly recommended.
knel15's review
4.0
[b:The White Cat and the Monk: A Retelling of the Poem "Pangur Bán"|25986808|The White Cat and the Monk A Retelling of the Poem "Pangur Bán"|Jo Ellen Bogart|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1455232468s/25986808.jpg|45899520] is the story of a monk and his cat (pretty accurate title) and their parallel searches- one for mice and one for truth. It is a tale about finding joy in your everyday tasks and your everyday life.
I especially appreciated the author's note because it gave the backstory of "Pangur Bán" the Old Irish poem that this book was based on. While the author is unknown, the story has been translated to many different languages and is well loved.
There is a sweet gentle hush to the illustrations. The limited color palette and sparse drawings helps bring the solitary life of the monk and the playful nature of the cat to life. There is very little text though there are some beautiful pages of the monk illuminated manuscripts. The images are done in ink and watercolor and have a very dreamy, glowy effect to them.
"We are each content with all we need to entertain us."
I especially appreciated the author's note because it gave the backstory of "Pangur Bán" the Old Irish poem that this book was based on. While the author is unknown, the story has been translated to many different languages and is well loved.
There is a sweet gentle hush to the illustrations. The limited color palette and sparse drawings helps bring the solitary life of the monk and the playful nature of the cat to life. There is very little text though there are some beautiful pages of the monk illuminated manuscripts. The images are done in ink and watercolor and have a very dreamy, glowy effect to them.
erine's review
4.0
Short, but beautifully crafted with illustrations and lettering that open a little window into monkish life over a thousand years ago. It's an interesting contemplation for a picture book, which might lead into discussion about pets and ownership, different tasks suited for different people, religious life, or just why we read and seek knowledge.
karmakat's review
4.0
Popsugar 2019 challenge – picture book edition! - A book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent
Beautiful book!
Beautiful book!
ysra's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0