Mrs. Katz and Tush

Polacco, P. (1992). Mrs. Katz and Tush. Illus. Patricia Polacco. New York, New York: A Bantam Little Rooster Book.

Brief Annotation: Larnel doesn’t know Mrs. Katz that well, not until he asks Mrs. Katz to adopt a cat. Mrs. Katz agrees on one condition, that Larnel helps her take care of the cat since she’s never had one before. Larnel agrees and as he starts to visit Mrs. Katz, their relationship grows into friendship as Mrs. Katz shares with Larnel her Poland history, Jewish traditions, and the sufferings and triumphs of black history. Mrs. Katz names the cat Tush and Larnel and Mrs. Katz becomes great friends, even as Larnel gets older.

Genre: Fiction, Animal Story

Grade Level: 3-5

Readers who will like this: Students who like reading about relationships and animals.

Response/Rating (1-4): **** This was a heart-warming book about a relationship that grows into a deep friendship. This book teaches readers that friendship can be found anywhere and with anyone. Polacco also brings in history and teaches readers about struggles people have faced in the past.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: Do you have someone special who has taught you things about life?