Munroe’s unwavering loyalty to Ottoline–even when Ottoline forgets him. Her bright, can-do attitude made me sympathize with her immediately, as did Mr.

Ottoline’s spirit impressed me nearly as much as the illustrations. Munroe make their way through the world alone, making friends, certainly, but clinging to each other as family. Whatever the case, however, there is infinite sadness in the realization that Ottoline’s parents do not get to witness any of this. Perhaps she wishes to impress her parents, who are explorers and collectors. Readers can see that Ottoline is a courageous, independent, and clever girl. Munroe are very happy, thank you.īut this layer of sorrow adds depth to the story. Indeed, the prose itself suggests Ottoline and Mr.

Munroe distantly outlined against the sky, and the scenes of Ottoline alone, being cared for by strangers, all combine to add a layer to the story never directly expressed in the prose. The postcards that keep arriving from Ottoline’s absent parents, the image of Mr. And sometimes this occurs through emotions left unsaid: sadness, loneliness, and longing. Sometimes this occurs through charming characterization. Sometimes this occurs through humorous notes and labels. While the prose narrative seems sometimes rather standard, the illustrations add meaning that transforms the story into something special. The book is a perfect example of how pictures and text can and should work together to create a story.

In the end, it was the illustrations that kept me reading and convinced me to request the sequel from the library. While the narrative is vaguely interesting and the mystery rather predictable, the illustrations add charm and humor. Ottoline and the Yellow Cat is a quirky middle-grade mystery perhaps more notable for its illustrations than for its story. When the two learn that lapdogs have been disappearing all over the city, they create a clever and daring plan to uncover the truth. Munroe, who is covered in hair and used to live in a bog in Norway. Ottoline Brown lives in the Pepperpot Building with her parents’ collections from all over the world and Mr.

Ottoline and the yellow cat