1. Bibliography
Gag, Wanda. 1928. Millions of Cats. Ill. Wanda Gag. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0399233156
2. Plot Summary
A very old man and a very old woman decide that they are not happy because they are lonely, and the woman believes that they will be happy if they had a cat. The old man sets off to find a cat when he happens upon a hill which is covered with cats. But the old man soon finds that he can't decide which cat is the prettiest and decides to take them all. The millions of cats follow him home, but upon arriving home, the old woman realizes that the millions of cats would eat them out of house and home if they kept them all. When the old man tells the cats to decide amongst themselves who is the prettiest, the cats get in a big fight and destroy themselves, except for one little kitten who remains and who the couple believe is the prettiest of all.
3. Critical Analysis
The plot of the story, while unrealistic to many adults, is entertaining for a child who might find it absurd but humorous. The conflict arises from the couple's unhappiness and need to fill a void in their lives. The story follows a logical plot line with the rising action of the man searching for the cats and the millions of cats following him home. The climax begins when the couple tell the cats to decide who is the prettiest and an all-out brawl ensues. The couple's conflict is resolved when one little kitten becomes the surviving cat, and the couple find their happiness through this little kitten.
The story itself is simple yet comical. If the reader loves cats, he or she will be able to relate to the old man's dilemma over not being able to choose the prettiest cat. The author creates humor through hyperbole by emphasizing the "hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats." Additionally, the cats can talk, and when they drink in the pond, they drain it. When the cats quarrel, the old woman comments that "they must have eaten each other all up." Depending on the age of the child, he or she might pause at this description of brutality among the cats, but the author does a good job of transitioning quickly to finding a "little frightened quickly" and does not dwell on the loss of the millions of cats. In the final scenes of the story, the little kitten grows plump, and the reader can infer that the couple has finally found happiness. The story is a great reminder of the joy that pets can bring to a family. In the end, the old man states that their kitten is the "most beautiful cat in the whole world," and the couple knows this for certain because they've seen "hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats--and not one was as pretty as this one."
Given that this book was written in 1928, it's not surprising that the illustrations appear dated and lack color. However, the illustrations are charming and transport the reader to a more simple lifestyle of years ago. The old man is drawn almost as if he is a Santa Claus figure with a long beard, hat, and smoking a pipe. This style creates an instant connection between the reader and the characters in the book. Similarly, the old man and old woman are depicted almost as grandparents giving children a feeling of family.
4. Review Excerpts
Newbery Honor award in 1928.
Review from The New York Times: “A perennial favorite.”
Review from School Library Journal: "Considered by many to have ushered in the age of the modern picture book, this Newbery Honor winner is characterized by innovative design and a strong storyteller’s cadence.”
5. Connections
*This classic story would be ideal to share with young children who love animals and want a simple, feel-good story about how animals create happiness in our lives.
*Other stories to read about the happiness that cats bring to people:
Rylant, Cynthia. Brownie and Pearl Take a Dip. ISBN 9781416986386
Guedon, Adam. Me and Meow. ISBN 9780061998218
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