From Publishers Weekly
Native American poet and literary critic Harjo makes her children's book debut with a simple but beautifully executed tale of a "good luck cat": "You pet [her] and good things happen." Woogie, the cat in question, has need of some luckAas the unnamed girl who narrates explains, Woogie has quickly used up eight of her nine lives, surviving an encounter with a large dog, a tumble in the clothes dryer, a fall from a tree, etc. Then, apparently down to her last life, Woogie disappears. The girl searches everywhere and finally puts a dish of food and some cat toys on the stoop, asking her cat to return. The next morning, Woogie has reappeared, missing half an ear but seemingly content. Harjo combines a childlike voice with a command of detail and imagery ("When I pet her she purrs as if she has a drum near her heart"), and the passing characterization of the narrator as Native American adds interest. Lee's (Amistad Rising) spare, sharply focused, acrylic art provides realistic action views of the risk-taking Woogie, showing familiarity with the way cats move. Given its fresh narrative voice and winning animal heroine, this is likely to have a long shelf lifeAperhaps even nine. Ages 3-7. (Apr.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3-A young girl tells how Woogie, "a stripedy cat with tickling whiskers and green electric eyes," brings good fortune to her family. The feline's luck, however, might be running out, for she has already used up eight of her nine lives, surviving dangerous encounters with a car motor, a clothes dryer, and a large dog, as well as other mishaps. Now, the cat has disappeared and everyone is worried. After several days, she returns home, minus part of an ear but otherwise shipshape, proving that she "is definitely a real good luck cat," having exceeded her expected life span. Harjo's text presents some striking images while still maintaining a believably childlike tone. The realistic acrylic paintings beautifully convey both action scenes (Woogie falling from a tree) and quiet moments (the hopeful girl placing her missing pet's bowl and toys on the back step). Lee has a knack for capturing the cat's agility and suppleness. Details woven into the story and pictures provide a glimpse of the protagonist's Native American heritage. A moving tale for anyone who has ever lost and found a beloved companion.Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Some cats are good luck. You pet them and good things happen. Woogie is one of those cats. But as Woogie gets into one mishap after another, everyone starts to worry. Can a good luck cat's good luck run out?

The first children's book from an acclaimed poet whose honors include the American Book Award and the William Carlos Williams Award

Celebrates the special relationship between a young girl and her cat •A modern Native American story from a member of the Muskogee-Creek tribe



Card catalog description
Because her good luck cat Woogie has already used up eight of his nine lives in narrow escapes from disaster, a Native American girl worries when he disappears.


About the Author
Joy Harjo has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Circle of The Americas and many other awards for her poetry. A member of the Muskogee-Creek tribe, she lives in Honolulu, Hawaii. Paul Lee is a freelance illustrator and painter. He lives in Fullerton, California.

ANNOTATION

Because her good luck cat Woogie has already used up eight of his nine lives in narrow escapes from disaster, a Native American girl worries when he disappears.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Some cats are good luck. You pet them and good things happen. Woogie is one of those cats. But as Woogie gets into one mishap after another, everyone starts to worry. Can a good luck cat's good luck run out? •The first children's book from an acclaimed poet whose honors include the American Book Award and the William Carlos Williams Award •Celebrates the special relationship between a young girl and her cat •A modern Native American story from a member of the Muskogee-Creek tribe

SYNOPSIS

Some cats are good luck. You pet them and good things happen. Woogie is one of those cats. But as Woogie gets into one mishap after another, everyone starts to worry. Can a good luck cat's good luck run out?

The first children's book from an acclaimed poet whose honors include the American Book Award and the William Carlos Williams Award.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Native American poet and literary critic Harjo makes her children's book debut with a simple but beautifully executed tale of a "good luck cat": "You pet [her] and good things happen." Woogie, the cat in question, has need of some luck--as the unnamed girl who narrates explains, Woogie has quickly used up eight of her nine lives, surviving an encounter with a large dog, a tumble in the clothes dryer, a fall from a tree, etc. Then, apparently down to her last life, Woogie disappears. The girl searches everywhere and finally puts a dish of food and some cat toys on the stoop, asking her cat to return. The next morning, Woogie has reappeared, missing half an ear but seemingly content. Harjo combines a childlike voice with a command of detail and imagery ("When I pet her she purrs as if she has a drum near her heart"), and the passing characterization of the narrator as Native American adds interest. Lee's (Amistad Rising) spare, sharply focused, acrylic art provides realistic action views of the risk-taking Woogie, showing familiarity with the way cats move. Given its fresh narrative voice and winning animal heroine, this is likely to have a long shelf life--perhaps even nine. Ages 3-7. (Apr.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

Children's Literature - Childrens Literature

Woogie is a special cat. She has nine lives, just like all cats, but she also has the gift of bringing good luck to her family. At the rate that she is using up her nine lives, however, the question arises as to whether her luck has finally run out. Being a cat owner myself, I can empathize with Woogie's owners when she disappears. This is the part that is particularly scary. Will she return? Has something happen to her? I've been through it myself. The author has created an exciting story and paints a realistic picture of the typical adventures of a feisty cat. 2000, Harcourt, Ages 5 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Leila Toledo

Alan Tack - Native Peoples

While young readers will surely find the tale exciting and will identify with the narrator's feelings, they will also find in the story lessons in good stewardship, respect for the wisdom of the elders and reverence for life around us—lessons deftly cast in a contemporary Native context.

Kirkus Reviews

Poet Harjo's first children's book is a high-drama tale of a cat with more than nine lives. The narrator, an adolescent Native American girl, has a cat named Woogie. Woogie is all soft fur and electric-green eyes, and she confers a bit of good luck on all those who give her a stroking. She is also capable of her share of mischief and accidents and close calls, eight of which the narrator tells in the story, each caught in the direst moment by Lee in expressive, highly polished illustrations that project the burnished colors of late autumn. The incidents are both comical and slightly scary: Woogie falls asleep under the hood of the car by the warm engine and then is rudely awakened, or falls out of a tree and lands on her head rather than her feet, or gets chased by her cousin's dog. But eight lives are now spent and when Woogie goes missing, the girl is badly worried. Woogie does return, minus half an ear, so she must be a good luck cat indeed to have returned at all. Anyone who has loved a cat will find plenty to identify with here, and those who haven't had the pleasure will get a sense of what they are missing in terms of affection and missed heartbeats. (Picture book. 4-6)

ACCREDITATION

Joy Harjo has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Circle of The Americas and many other awards for her poetry. A member of the Muskogee-Creek tribe, she lives in Honolulu, Hawaii.