Bambino and Mr. Twain

by P I Maltbie (Author) Daniel Miyares (Illustrator)

Bambino and Mr. Twain
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

LOST

Mark Twain's Cat

After the death of his beloved wife, Samuel Clemens--known to his fans as Mark Twain--holed himself up in his house, too sad to face the outside world. His constant companion in his grief was Bambino, his daughter Clara's cat. Despite the pleas of his daughter Jean and the well wishes of his friends and admirers, Sam could not find joy in life. His only peace was in the moments he spent with the curious cat.

Then one day Bambino got out of the house to chase a squirrel and didn't come back. Distraught, Sam placed an ad in the newspaper offering a reward for Bambino's return. Many people with many cats came to his door. The world wanted to cheer up Mark Twain. No cat but Bambino could console the great writer, however.

Rich, luminous illustrations highlight this friendship of a man and his cat in a time of great sorrow and through his healing. Nothing compares to the solace of a pet.

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Publishers Weekly

Maltbie returns to the theme of Picasso and Minou (2008), telling a second cat-and-artist story, a historical anecdote from the archives of Mark Twain. Recently widowed, the writer roams his New York City brownstone, refusing visits from well-wishers and grousing at his daughter's cat as it swats billiard balls back at him across a dramatically foreshortened table. "Bambino," he tells the cat, "you'd make a champion billiards player if you could only hold a cue." When Bambino darts out a window, Twain advertises for the lost cat in every New York newspaper, and admirers of his work throng to his house, offering him their own cats, as well as strays, as consolation. "We can spare him for a few days," offers one visitor, "if it keeps you from being sad." In crisp-edged mixed-media illustrations, Miyares (Waking Up Is Hard to Do) uses cinematic angles to great effect, as when Bambino returns and Twain is viewed from above, holding him up in triumph. Although it portrays a Twain whose writing days are behind him, it's an unexpectedly moving introduction to his sardonic wit. Ages 5-8. Agent: Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. (Feb.)

Copyright 2011 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4--Following the death of his beloved wife, Livy, Mark Twain became something of a recluse in his New York City home. His constant companion was his black cat, Bambino, and together they sadly got on with their lives. Despite his reputation as a witty and wise personality, Twain felt like a sorry old man. On a beautiful spring day when windows were open to air out the house, Bambino took off after a squirrel and disappeared. Twain was heartbroken and put an ad in the paper, complete with a reward of $5. Many people came by to offer him their cats or just to meet the great man himself. When Bambino returned, Twain realized that spending his life in seclusion was not for him. Bambino had proved there were wonderful things outside their windows and he was going to be a part of them all. Back matter reveals that this story was based on Twain's time in New York following his wife's death and that there really was a Bambino. While the palette progresses from gloomy to somewhat brighter colors, Twain himself is depicted throughout as stern and unhappy. Overall, the angular mixed-media and digital art conveys only the gloomier aspects of the story and not the upbeat denouement. This is not a tale that will necessarily resonate with children unfamiliar with the writer or the feeling of growing old. As such, it has limited appeal.--Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
P I Maltbie
P.I. Maltbie writes biographical stories and articles focusing on issues related to disabilities. She is the author of PICASSO AND MINOU and BAMBINO AND MR TWAIN. She lives in Long Beach, California.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781580892735
Lexile Measure
670
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Charlesbridge Publishing
Publication date
May 07, 2019
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV002050 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Cats
JUV002190 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Pets
JUV039030 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Death & Dying
JUV004020 - Juvenile Fiction | Biographical | United States
Library of Congress categories
History
Cats
New York (N.Y.)
Authors, American
1898-1951
Twain, Mark

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