Millions of Cats by Wanda Ga'g

Book Review of 

Bibliography 

Gág Wanda. (1956). Millions of cats, by Wanda Gág. G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 9780399233159

Plot Summary

A lovely black and white picture book featuring an older couple who are lonely and in need of company. After much thought and discussion, the elderly couple decides they should get a cat. The husband, wanting to please his wife, goes out on a search for a cat or kitten to keep as their own. After a long walk, he comes upon a hill where there are cats and kittens as far as the eye can see. The elderly man decides to choose the most beautiful cat or kitten to take home, but soon finds himself having chosen all the cats and kittens! 

Critical Analysis

In creating the Newbery Honor award-winning picture book in 1929, Wanda Ga’g’s marriage of words and pictures creates a playful story with a surprising but happy ending. The main character’s dilemma in deciding what true beauty means, coupled with the repetitive phrasing, “...Hundreds of cats, Thousands of cats, Millions and billions and trillions of cats”, creates a catchy tale children of all ages can’t put down. The black and white illustrations with immense detail help to immerse the reader into the story and add to its old charm. 

Review Excerpt(s)

“Millions of Cats won a Newbery Honor in 1929, making it one of very few picture books to do so (the Caldecott medal had not yet been created), and continues to be ranked among the best American children’s books—by those who remember it, at least. For the rest, it’s ripe for rediscovery. After all, look at all the cats!” - Literary Hub

“Millions of Cats, the oldest American picture book still in print, was the brainchild of Minnesotan artist Wanda Gag. Although she died young, her legacy survives in her beautifully-illustrated books for children.” - Grand Journal

Connections

For additional activities related to the book:

• Use playdough to have children create cat/kitten sculptures. 

• Have children draw one of the many different types of cats they hear described in the story. 

• Use pieces of media to craft the landscape of the story (where the old man is walking among the hills or when he comes upon the hill of cats) and include cats by drawing or cutting pictures from magazines

Other recommended books if you liked this one: 

• The Funny Thing by Wanda Ga’g

• Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

• Swimmy by Leo Lionni