Geneviève Côté

The flower-loving cat Mr. King is dismayed and angry when he discovers that a caterpillar has been munching on a bloom near his home, and promptly uses his mechanical acumen to create a caterpillar-catching machine. What our feline hero doesn't realize is that his machine is more disruptive and destructive that the creature it was meant to catch. When all of Mr. King's friends manage to catch up with him, and protest his actions, he must decide how to set right the damage he has already show more done, in his caterpillar quest...

The third picture-book about feline hero Mr. King from Canadian author/artist Geneviève Côté, following upon Mr. King's Things and Mr. King's Castle, Mr. King's Machine is a clear teaching tale, one with obvious ecological and social themes. The importance of considering the environment, when taking action, is one lesson being imparted, but so too is the idea that when we do wrong (in whatever arena) we must take responsibility and work to correct whatever damage we have done. Not having read the previous stories about Mr. King - I usually try to read series in order, but picked this one up and read it before becoming aware that there were previous titles - I cannot say whether the approach seen here is typical of the other books as well. However that may be, although there is a clear didactic purpose to this fable, the story itself is engaging enough, and the artwork charming enough, to keep the reader engaged and entertained. Recommended to anyone who has enjoyed the previous stories about Mr. King, and to anyone looking for children's picture-books with an ecological theme. show less

Rabbit and Pig are going to put on a show but go through a series of emotions --being too shy, too scared etc. The charm of this title is the exploration of how each of the animals expresses each emotion: rabbit freezes when scared, pig screams. Of course they end up in a fight and also make up. What a delightful way to explore differences in the way we express ourselves. This title is ripe for impromptu role play. Try to get the loud class member to take on the shy persona and vice versa. show more It's fascinating that this book is in first person point of view from both the pig and the rabbit - so dual narratives. And we never know who's who. Wouldn't we find out a lot about readers by listening to them refer to the rabbit as she and the pig as he -- when certainly the opposite could be true or both could be boys or both could be girls? show less

A Rabbit and Pig can't seem to play nice together, so they play without each other. They discover it is so much better to play together.
I thought the story was good. It reminded me of when my friends and I couldn't agree on how to play or what to play together.
It could be used to show how to play with your friends.
It could also be used to show children to be individuals. (They don't neccessarily have to like what their friends like.)

Two best friends each long to be like the other in this endearing picture-book for younger readers. "I wish I were just like you," they each say, envisioning a transformation that will paint them bright pink or palest white, give them a tail as curly as a lemon twist or as fluffy as cotton candy, make them bold or dainty. But in the end, this rabbit and pig discover that it is best to be themselves, and that it is their differences which make their friendship worthwhile...

With less than 150 show more words, Genevieve Côté's simple narrative has a direct, appealing quality, and her charming illustrations showcase the back-and-forth "dialogue" between her two characters. With a palette dominated by pink, white and brown, the whimsical artwork draws the reader in, making Me and You a pleasure to peruse. show less