shahrun's review against another edition
4.0
I remember reading this as a child. The vibrant illustrations have lost none of their magic now I’m all grown up (apparently). The offbeat story must be fun to read with a small child.
maeclegg's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
praxis's review
3.0
She’d tell me these totally unsuitable stories, get to a cliffhanger – and stop.
there is a sense of unease which remains upon finishing this picture book as it leaves one with questions to ponder upon. since it's my first picture book ever (i guess) it's a happy surprise to discover it doesn’t feel silly to a grown-up like me and it's fun reading aloud especially the onomatopoeias.
but at the same time, one is aware that picture books are a significant means by which we integrate young children into the ideology of our culture and one can observe it on every single page whether it is doing activities as per time, having breakfast, or dressing up. it also subtly nudges the inexperienced readers towards learning social norms such as friendship, festivals, hierarchies, and values. according to [a:Gillian Rose|273725|Gillian Rose|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1457066292p2/273725.jpg], these visuals and storyline could be further used to understand which particular visions of social categories such as class, gender, race, sexuality, able-bodiedness we are familiarising our kids with and in which manner. in this book, Mog the cat chases rats but also sits around the table with a spoon to have breakfast which is one of the often-used devices in children literature- depicting animals who behave like animals and at the same time they are capable of performing some human activities which is interestingly deconstructed by [a:Jacqueline Rose|88933|Jacqueline Rose|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447287490p2/88933.jpg] and [a:Perry Nodelman|196036|Perry Nodelman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1309380596p2/196036.jpg] as a metaphor for the state of human childhood and as a process of colonisation: we as adults write books for children to persuade them of conceptions of themselves as children that suit adult needs and purposes.
one hint that might be helpful to those who are wondering about the ending of the book is that [a:Jan Pieńkowski|5449170|Jan Pieńkowski|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1341348890p2/5449170.jpg] as the illustrator put the condition before doing this book series that if the witch were to make a spell, it must never work, and also, the character of Meg was inspired by Polish folktales.
there is a sense of unease which remains upon finishing this picture book as it leaves one with questions to ponder upon. since it's my first picture book ever (i guess) it's a happy surprise to discover it doesn’t feel silly to a grown-up like me and it's fun reading aloud especially the onomatopoeias.
but at the same time, one is aware that picture books are a significant means by which we integrate young children into the ideology of our culture and one can observe it on every single page whether it is doing activities as per time, having breakfast, or dressing up. it also subtly nudges the inexperienced readers towards learning social norms such as friendship, festivals, hierarchies, and values. according to [a:Gillian Rose|273725|Gillian Rose|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1457066292p2/273725.jpg], these visuals and storyline could be further used to understand which particular visions of social categories such as class, gender, race, sexuality, able-bodiedness we are familiarising our kids with and in which manner. in this book, Mog the cat chases rats but also sits around the table with a spoon to have breakfast which is one of the often-used devices in children literature- depicting animals who behave like animals and at the same time they are capable of performing some human activities which is interestingly deconstructed by [a:Jacqueline Rose|88933|Jacqueline Rose|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447287490p2/88933.jpg] and [a:Perry Nodelman|196036|Perry Nodelman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1309380596p2/196036.jpg] as a metaphor for the state of human childhood and as a process of colonisation: we as adults write books for children to persuade them of conceptions of themselves as children that suit adult needs and purposes.
one hint that might be helpful to those who are wondering about the ending of the book is that [a:Jan Pieńkowski|5449170|Jan Pieńkowski|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1341348890p2/5449170.jpg] as the illustrator put the condition before doing this book series that if the witch were to make a spell, it must never work, and also, the character of Meg was inspired by Polish folktales.
emkoshka's review against another edition
3.0
A cute read even it does have a rather sudden and inexplicable ending. Perpetuates the stereotype of witches in black britches with a cat and a broom.
dangernoodle's review against another edition
5.0
MEG AND MOG! I was just browsing and spotted this. I read it years ago, a real classic childrens story. I loved that book!
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