Philip Pullman, Carnegie Medal-winning author of many remarkable children's books, including I Was a Rat!, Count Karlstein, and the His Dark Materials trilogy, turns his pen to a fairy tale retelling with great comic success. Puss has a dry, sneaky wit, which balances nicely with Jacques's trusting nature and the Ogre's mean-spirited, spoiled-kid manner. Ian Beck's big, funny, crosshatch ink and watercolor illustrations tell their own story, with wry asides from the characters in cartoon bubbles over their heads. This is a laugh-out-loud classic that loses absolutely nothing--perhaps even gains a little--in the retelling. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

Product Description
Here's what the old miller left his sons when he died: To his oldest son, the mill. To his middle son, the donkey. To his youngest son, Jacques,the cat. A fine cat, indeed, but still, just a cat.
Luckily, as Jacques discovers, Puss is no ordinary kitty. He's smart. He can talk. And he is quite a snappy dresser. He's also planned an exciting future for Jacques-one that involves a princess and a very large fortune.
Master storyteller Philip Pullman and prizewinning illustrator Ian Beck team up in this witty retelling, which sparkles with humor and adventure.

In all of his books of his that I've read, Philip Pullman imbues a smart type of wit that is still acceptable for children, but makes his books all the more interesting for more advanced readers. For example, in this book, there is a scene depicting the princess and Jacques falling in love. To illustrate the problem of it, both of them are standing on opposite edges of the page, looking away from each other, wondering (with cartoon bubbles) when "the question" is going to pop up. (I don't want to say specifically what they said, because it wouldn't sound the same here.) I burst out laughing at this scene, first because it is so comic, but also because it strikes a chord in real life as well.

All the characters are funny, in their own type of way, without being overdone. Puss is confident, Jacques shy, the princess lovestruck, the ogre evil (and unedjucated!). These characters really make the story happen, probably as they were supposed to in the first place!

Even if you don't like fairy-tales, give this book a chance!