Mephisto

Publishing Details

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Description

Mephisto, a black cat, lives apart from other cats. Shunned by the townspeople for being a harbinger of bad luck, he never gets to sit inside by the fireplace like the tomcats do. Instead he dodges constant insults and abuse. He decides to leave behind the world of humans for a peaceful life in the country, but once winter comes and he returns to the city, the townspeople find that they need himafter all. Still, nothing is as important to Mephisto as his freedom.

Reviews

"The title character of Mephisto is a black cat who has suffered previously from the superstition-induced fears of others.If Edgar Allen Poe had taken time out from inventing Gothic horror fiction and the detective story to write a book suited for precocious 5-year-olds, the result might well have sounded a lot like this delicious strange and lugubrious monologue." Leonard Marcus, New York Times Book Review
" Mephisto accurately describes how it feels to be left out of normal activities, whether cat or child. Children will like the rugged cat. Some will unfortunately be able to relate to Mephisto's feelings of being unloved, unwanted, and unacceptable. Mephisto's story is one of nonacceptance. Mephisto accurately describes how it feels to be left out of normal activities, whether cat or child. Children will like the rugged cat. Some will unfortunately be able to relate to Mephisto's feelings of being unloved, unwanted, and unacceptable." Sue Morris, Kid Lit Reviews
"The Caldecott Award was created to reward America artists, and so only they may reap its rewards. For that reason, I salute those publishers with the courage of their convictions to still put the following books out. Were they eligible, I'd say every book on this list would have a shot. As it stands, they don't, but darned if it wouldn't be cool if they could.Laser-cut paper hasn't really made its name in the world of picture books as often as one would like. This little beauty (which may or may not be French in origin) is entirely black and white. Its story concerns a black cat, hounded from a city, who retires to the country in warmer months only to find that in his absence the rats and mice have taken over. I was rather taken with the story, but the star here is the art. Just paying attention to when Guillopp chooses to use white instead of black, or black instead of white, is worth the price of admission alone." Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal

Author Bio

Bernard Villiot is a screenwriter and director who began writing children's books ten years ago. In that time his books have received several awards. This is his first book in English. Antoine Guilloppe was born in France and studied art in Lyon. He's taught art for many years and illustrated numerous books that have been published all over the world, using a variety of media, including laser-cut paper. He illustrated Like a Wolf for minedition.