Why Is the Pallas's Cat Angry?
I don’t know whether this book has been posted here. It’s called “Why Is the Pallas's Cat Angry?” (if that translates awkwardly, I’ll rephrase it as: “Why Is the Pallas's Cat So Angry?”)
It’s a children’s poem, written by Elena Feldman, illustrated by Anna Kovalkina. The illustrations are absolutely stunning and vivid, and the text is funny. It’s very easy to buy, at least in Russia, on any marketplace.
The main character — a little boy named Petya — wonders before bed why the Pallas's cat is always so angry. Since these are poems, I also don’t know how they’ll translate into other languages, but I’ll reproduce the text from the book as captions.
“I barely fell asleep yesterday, searching for the answer. Why is the Pallas's cat angry, in winter or in summer? Day and night it sits in its little house, gloomy, and looks on with resentment... Now you think about it!”
“Maybe it’s cold for it? Maybe its little paws are freezing? I wonder why they don’t sew them slippers? They’d dress the cat in red boots — what a sight that would be, and its feet wouldn’t be cold!”
“Or is it the other way around — too hot in its fur coat? That’s why our cat suffers in the zoo enclosure. Put some ice in the round water bowl, perhaps. Or better yet, a freezer right here!”
“No, probably it’s because our cloud-dark cat is gloomier than a storm cloud that the keepers don’t pick it up. Don’t kiss its nose tenderly, don’t fluff up its belly... A platypus would wither here, let alone a kitty!”
“Or is it the other way around: fans torment it and shove cameras almost into its mouth. — Oh, what a serious look! What an expression!... They chatter affectionately, but without respect.”
“No, probably the trouble is that a nasty magpie keeps it from sleeping under the bush. You can’t reach it, and that’s a pity! If this were not a park but a forest, our Pallas's cat would have long since nimbly climbed a fir tree to bop the chatterbox.”
“I’m already tired of guessing: do they wake it at dawn? Force it to finish the disgusting oatmeal? Forbid it to jump on the bed all day long and kick its leg in delight on the bus?”
“You and I should be friends and stay close by. Come live with me in a house with a little front garden! We’ll fit just fine on one sofa. You’ll purr to me and growl — in front of Mama...”
“At that point the Pallas's cat couldn’t stand it and said to me: — Petya! If only you’d already fallen asleep, like other children!”
“The Pallas's cat sleeps with a smile. The riddle is solved. And I’ve already fallen asleep too — sweetly, sweetly, sweetly...”
I won’t reproduce all the pictures and text, in case that would violate copyright? I’ve only shared some of it for reference. But the best part is the dedication on the last page:
“To Nina Krivtsova, a kind friend of the Novosibirsk Pallas's cats, as well as to Roman Paulov and Viktoria Malyshko, thanks to whom the whole world learned about Pallas's cats.”
That’s the kind of book it is. I also wanted the whole world to learn about the book. I actually bought it for my nephew, but now I hate to give it away — I want to keep it for myself)))
Comments 6
Thank you !!!
Aaa, we have that book too! It really is so great! I love the illustrations in it, the manul is drawn so funny 😻
Helga, thank you so much for showing this book here – I’m sure it will appeal not only to little manulovers, but adults will also enjoy flipping through it 🥰
Vika Malyshkoverified_filled ,
Yes, the book is amazing! Fun and kind) I’m an adult, and I’m delighted!
A year ago I gave this book to my mom)
It’s wonderful, with the most beautiful illustrations and little poems. Guaranteed to lift your spirits ❤️
A good book 🤗
Vika Malyshkoverified_filled ,
a book for children aged 3 to 107.