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Dick Whittington and His Cat (book) facts for kids

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Dick Whittington and His Cat
Dick Whittington and His Cat (book).jpg
First edition
Author Marcia Brown
Publisher Scribners
Publication date
1950
Pages unpaged
Awards Caldecott Honor

Dick Whittington and His Cat is a popular picture book published in 1950. It was both written and illustrated by the talented Marcia Brown. This book shares an old and famous English folktale with young readers. It was recognized for its beautiful illustrations and received a 1951 Caldecott Honor.

About the Book

Dick Whittington and His Cat brings a classic story to life with engaging pictures. Marcia Brown's unique artistic style makes the tale easy and fun to follow. Picture books like this one use illustrations to help tell the story, often with less text. This makes them great for younger readers or for reading aloud.

What is a Folktale?

A folktale is an old story that has been passed down through many generations. These stories often teach lessons or explain things about the world. They change a little bit each time they are told. The story of Dick Whittington is one of England's most beloved folktales.

The Story of Dick Whittington

The book tells the exciting adventure of Dick Whittington. He was a poor orphan boy who lived in a small village. He heard that the streets of London were paved with gold. So, Dick decided to travel to the big city to seek his fortune.

Dick's Journey to London

When Dick arrived in London, he found that the streets were not made of gold at all. He was very poor and had to work hard for a living. He found a job working for a kind merchant. Dick's only friend and possession was a clever cat.

The Cat's Big Adventure

One day, the merchant sent a ship full of goods to a faraway land. He allowed everyone in his house to send something to sell. Dick had nothing valuable except his cat. He sadly sent his cat on the ship. In the faraway land, the king's palace was full of rats. Dick's cat was very good at catching rats. The king paid a huge amount of money for the cat!

Dick Becomes Famous

When the ship returned, Dick was surprised to find he was very rich. Thanks to his smart cat, he became a wealthy man. He used his money wisely and became a successful merchant himself. Eventually, Dick Whittington became the Lord Mayor of London. This shows how hard work and a little bit of luck can change a person's life.

About the Author and Illustrator: Marcia Brown

Marcia Brown was an American author and illustrator of children's books. She was born in 1918 and passed away in 2009. She was known for her beautiful artwork and for retelling classic stories.

Marcia Brown's Style

Marcia Brown used different art techniques in her books. She often used bold colors and strong lines. Her illustrations helped children imagine the characters and settings. She wanted her pictures to be as important as the words in her stories.

Other Famous Books by Marcia Brown

Marcia Brown created many popular children's books. She won the prestigious Caldecott Medal three times. This award is given for the most outstanding picture book for children. Some of her other famous books include Cinderella and Once a Mouse.... Her work has inspired many other children's book artists.

The Caldecott Honor

The Caldecott Honor is a special award given to children's picture books. It is part of the Caldecott Medal awards. The Caldecott Medal is one of the most important awards for children's literature in the United States.

What is the Caldecott Medal?

The Caldecott Medal is awarded every year by the Association for Library Service to Children. This group is part of the American Library Association. The medal goes to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Why is it Important?

Winning a Caldecott Honor means that the book's illustrations are considered excellent. It shows that the artwork is high quality and helps tell the story well. For Dick Whittington and His Cat, the Caldecott Honor recognized Marcia Brown's amazing talent as an illustrator. It helped more people discover this wonderful book.

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