Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed

Written by Lesléa Newman · Illustrated by Amy June Bates

A composer rescues a tiny stray kitten who surprises him with music of her own.

4.2 Goodreads · 804 ratings

40 pages· 1,101 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud· 730L· AR 4.1 · 0.5 AR pts

$17.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

Moshe Cotel is a composer who lives in a noisy building in a noisy city and hears music everywhere. One day he rescues a tiny kitten and names her Ketzel. When Moshe struggles to write a very short piece for a competition, Ketzel's stroll across his piano keys gives him a surprising idea. Inspired by a true story; winner of the 2016 Sydney Taylor Award.

From the publisher

A 2016 Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Award WinnerA kitten's stroll down a keyboard leads to a celebrated one-minute composition in this charming portrait of a remarkable true friendship. Moshe Cotel was a composer who lived in a noisy building on a noisy street in a noisy city. But Moshe didn't mind. Everything he heard was music to his ears. One day, while out for a walk, he heard a small, sad sound that he'd never heard before. It was a tiny kitten! "Come on, little Ketzel," Moshe said, "I will take you home and we will make beautiful music together." And they did--in a most surprising way. Inspired by a true story, Lesléa Newman and Amy June Bates craft an engaging tale of a creative man and the beloved cat who brings unexpected sweet notes his way.

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