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Just cute.
My 6 year old daughter loves this series. I didn't expect much that we hadn't seen before, but the cat and cupcake were clever and cute as can be.

Kitty's version
Once upon a time in a far away land lived a stable full of animals who called themselves family. During long, cold winter's nights when they were snowed in, each took turns telling stories both to entertain the group and to keep their synapses snapping. I mean, how much intellectual stimulation can one get in a barn with no library or satellite/television? So they turned to the lost art of storytelling--lost to all but librarians, but that's another story in itself.

The first to volunteer was Mouse. He began with a nonsense line: "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and had the group just about in need of stitches from laughing so hard by the time he finished. That was it--a formula was set! In fact, Mouse's story was so well received that the group begged for another.

"Oh my, not tonight. I cannot possibly tell another with such relish as the last. Please give me a week to plan my next story," declared Mouse, flattered that they liked his story so much. The group reluctantly agreed, knowing in their hearts he was right about timing and imagination and creativity and oh, so many things.

All was normal for most of the week. The snow had melted, they could trot a bit outside. But the animals were restive during the last two days, waiting and waiting for the next story. On the appointed night Mouse stepped to the center again.

"If You Give a Mouse a Muffin," he began.

Thus, the cold winter days might be dreadful, but Friday nights, Family Night, when everyone got together, time simply ceased to exist. They gathered around the portable heater and told their stories, each in turn. They moved beyond the formula, If you give..., and began "What Fathers Do Best" and a favorite was "10 Ways to Train My Monster."

As winter began to sludge away and leaf buds began popping out on trees, a different type of restlessness began to seep in. Yes, the sap was rising. And it was Cat's turn. Well, you know cats. You cannot make them do something they don't want to do. And plan a story? Not on Cat's To-Do list! He wanted to spend his days sleeping and his nights outside in the dark, watching and waiting. But Cat, a member of the family, too--after all, he enjoyed rubbing his back along Horse's long legs--in his turn, stepped to the middle of the room.

"If You Give a Cat a--a--a--um--if you give a cat a--"

"What, Cat? Give him what?" growled an annoyed Bear. He had recently stirred from his long sleep and joined the family for the first time. Not quite understanding the ritual, he promptly apologized. "Er, ah, I'm sorry there, Cat. Didn't mean to frighten you. Go right ahead. I shall mind my P's and Q's."

Cat looked around and thought about Laura's last birthday party. Her mom had made the loveliest cupcakes for the party instead of cake. Cat had immensely enjoyed his cupcake, mainly because he ate all the sprinkles. Cat loves sprinkles!

"Ahem. If You Give a Cat a Cupcake..." was his first line and also his last line, a circular story line that Mouse originated. So? His story was not as creative, maybe more exaggeration, but he told it in the spirit of family togetherness. No, he was not so prepared, but he was better at spontaneity than preparation. The group overlooked that his "if-then" combinations maybe did not flow as well as Mouse's, but because they loved Cat--after all, when his energy was ON, he could entertain with his antics for hours. If he was a bit OFF tonight, that was OK.

After all, If You Give a Family a Cat....

Great book for toddlers
My mother bought this book at a local deparment store that was selling the book for and the cute stuffed cat for . It quickly became one of my daughter's favorites. She loves the illustrations, and the story is simple enough for her to follow, without being boring. There are 32 pages, but only a short sentence or two on each page which is ideal for toddlers that can't sit still for long stories. I highly recommend it.

not as good as the mouse and cookie
If you're new to this series, you should start with the other books, like "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". This book lacks the charm and the flow of the other books in the series and the connections are rougher. It seems more inspired by the author's need to put out another book. I'm not too fond of the illustrations in these books, but the wonderful stories in the other ones more than compensated for them. If you are a big fan of this series, then you may be very happy with this one. If you are looking for a good book which stands on its own, then you should begin with the other "If You Give..." books.

Great Gift for a Cupcake Birthday Party
This was a perfect gift for our almost three year old granddaughter as a little gift for her birthday. She loves books, people reading to her and silly stories, so this was great for her Cupcake Birthday Party! Can't wait to read it to her.