Vroege RecensentenJonathan Yavin

"The sun, the moon, the fish and stars,

the flowers, trees, the birds and cars,

the sea, the rain, even the sand –

I like almost everything…

It’s cats I can’t stand!

But one day Dad came home

with a wiggly box.

Now, guess what was in it…"

The Hebrew version of Pumpkin the Kitten was voted number three (ages 3–5) and number five (ages 6–9) in the Israeli Ministry of Education’s 2006 Annual Book Parade (with votes cast by the children) and was chosen to be translated into Arabic by the Center for the Arab Child in Israel. It is a recommended textbook in numerous elementary schools in Israel, and in 2011 was chosen as one of nine books for the Ministry of Education’s My Bookshelf program. In 2019 it was chosen for Sifriyat Pijama, the Israeli PJ Library program, with 140,000 additional paperback copies distributed.

Such a strange little boy he is, Ben Guggenheim. He always wants things when it’s not the right time! Or wants what there is – but not straight away, and what there is none of – he must have, today! One evening near bedtime, it’s already dark – he goes with his parents to play in the park!

A little flexibility helps young Ben’s parents to resolve their impasse with their stubborn, high-spirited son, as all three learn from each other. This charmingly illustrated tale makes a perfect bedtime story for energetic kids everywhere.