Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2020
“An enchanting book by Mare Wisma! The story is about a boy, a bird, and a cat who enter into a magical dream world. This is storytelling at its best and also includes beautiful illustrations.”
“I bought this book for a friend’s child and loved reading it myself. The magical story, combining reality and dream, together with the lovely illustrations, makes for a very special “read.” And one to be enjoyed not only by children but adults as well. Perfect for group library readings too.”
“This is the third book that I purchased from Amazon written by Mare Wisma and I have to say that they just keep getting better and better. I recommend that you buy all of them. You will not be disappointed!”
“Really enjoyed reading about Mischief the Extraordinary Cat’s trials and tribulations. The book is easy to follow and engaging for both children and adults. It has an Aladdin-like feel to it and is very entertaining. The illustrations are lovely, and the author has done a good job keeping the reader interested in the book. Highly recommend this for both children and adults!”
“I loved this book and traveling along with Mischief as he encountered challenges and faced them with fortitude, courage, and spunk. The illustrations perfectly complement this magical story. As it is written in a style from an earlier era and includes a vocabulary of uncommon words, it seems the perfect book to broaden a child’s language skills. But this is also a book for everyone: adults, children and, of course, cat lovers! I highly recommend it.”
“This brilliant storybook is a breath of fresh air! Engaging and alluring, it exudes sophistication and charm. The story is innovative, and the illustrations are clever. This is a book I will recommend to all my primary school educator friends.”
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2020
“Mischief’s life and exotic adventures have lots of mischief, suspense and magic. Higher-level vocabulary and exquisite illustrations make reading this book both educational and entertaining. This is a book for all ages!”
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2018
“This lovely book is a must for any family’s book collection. I also think it would be ideal for pediatricians, veterinarians, daycare centers, and local libraries to have this book on hand.”
Howl and hiss with Napoleon the cat!
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2018
“Do not hesitate to offer this beautifully illustrated and original story to a child you know. The cat in the story is named Napoleon and does a lot of hissing when things do not go his way. Children will side up with Napoleon and rightly hiss with him while turning the pages!”
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2020
“Artfully written and illustrated, this sensitive story reaches beyond good storytelling. Both children and adults can gain insight into how to cope with unpleasant situations and later find joy after the ordeal.”
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2018 by David s Hansen
“A truly delightful story full of life, whimsy, and understanding that pets are people too. A wonderful balance of a “kid’s” story and challenging vocabulary and historical references. A perfect read for kids aged 5-95.”
“In reading this delightful story, I was rooting for Napoleon from beginning to end. The ending is comforting and shows the positive side to an experience (in this case, seeing a doctor) that a child may be fearful of or not understand. The lively illustrations complement the text perfectly.”
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2018
“At last, a children’s book that educates as well as entertains. Sophisticated language, historical references, and charming illustrations make this book stand apart from the rest. It would make a great stocking stuffer for those who are thinking ahead!”
This is the story of Napoleon, a cat with a “commanding personality” and a special paw that sets him apart from other felines. He is in fact a polydactyl cat, a cat with an extra digit. Writer Ernest Hemingway was famously fond of polydactyl cats and kept several in his house in Key West, Florida. Hence the name “Hemingway paw.” Because of an unusually large claw, Napoleon is forced to pay regular visits to the vet to get it trimmed.
This delightful and deceptively simple tale explores several issues with which young children can identify. What does it mean to be different, and how can one turn difference into an asset? How do we deal with unsettling situations? Can we learn not to put off unpleasant tasks?
My name is Mischief. I was given this name because I was always unintentionally getting into some kind of mischief. I was born in a far-off village a long time ago. I was orphaned at a young age, but a kind couple adopted me. Soon after I took up residence in their home, a young daughter was born, and she and I shared many happy times together. Unfortunately, I was destined to spend some time away from home and was faced with many challenges along the way. This is my story and how I overcame my trials and tribulations and was eventually reunited with my loved ones.
On a sleepy summer day, a boy is immersed in his reading while his pet canary sings in its cage and his cat wanders around in search of small prey. As the boy slips into a dream, his pets transform into magical forest creatures with the power to intervene in human affairs. But, at the heart of this metamorphosis, there might be the boy himself or some version of him from long ago… This fantastic tale explores the silent bond between children and animals, the power of imagination to blur the separation between dream and reality, and the idea that reality may first take shape in the strange land where dreams are created.
