Abner Graboff – illustratör

There are many things cats can do which children can’t, such as lap up milk and use their tongues as combs. There are also a number of things that cats can’t do, like sing children to sleep, or get down from trees… Abner Graboff combines the voice of childhood innocence with a wonderful sense of fun in his quirky book about the mysteries of cats and their secret lives, told from the point of view of a young child. Playful and bold illustrations complement the simple text, inspired by a much-loved family feline.

One day an old lady swallows a fly and the only way she can get rid of it is to swallow a wriggling, tickling spider… For over a century this subversive rhyme has delighted children and parents alike. Its galloping rhythm is perfect for reading out loud, becoming a memory game as the list of animals – bird, cat, dog, goat – grows. Graboff’s bright and startling illustrations combine beautifully with the traditional verse to bring this classic tale to life.