Day fades.
Sky dims.
Cat paces.
Ma sighs.
Pa yawns.
Cat scratches.
Door cracks.
Breeze beckons.
Cat ventures.
So begins the first Cat Tale. In a style that promotes language and literacy development, each “tryptic paragraph” pairs bare-bones sentences with robust vocabulary. Readers and listeners will enjoy this gentle story whose light touch with strong words amid vivid illustrations create a sensory-rich pleasure.
Cat Night
By Donna Rose Torf
Carissa Sorensen, Illustrator
Just as Ma and Pa ready for bed, Cat feels the call of the great outdoors and ventures through the door for a night of new experiences. Cat’s nocturnal journey excites all her senses. As she explores each new sight, smell and sound, she proves herself to be an intrepid adventurer who keenly engages with all that she encounters. Gentle, curious and brave, Cat faces even a fierce thunderstorm with courage. She returns home at first light emboldened by her satisfying accomplishment.
About the Author
A Chicago native, Donna Rose Torf developed a love for language early on, leading her to an M.A. in Communication Disorders from Northwestern University. Throughout her 40-year career as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Donna served countless individuals of all ages who were challenged by communication difficulties. Now retired, Donna applies the art and science from her professional experience to construct inventive stories with elements that support language and literacy development. The simple sentence structure, rich vocabulary and predictable cadence–features that will be found in all of her tales of Cat, with Cat Night being the first book in the series–comprise a work that is both a pleasurable read and linguistically enriching literature.
Reach Donna at: drt@TalesOfCat.com
Early Praise for Donna Rose Torf’s
Tales of Cat
“Torf’s playful use of language paints vivid pictures in the reader’s minds. With simple text structure, children are introduced to enriching vocabulary and [a] humorous, heartwarming story line.”
“In three lines of only two words each, the author not only creates beautiful images, but introduces challenging vocabulary in a user-friendly way.”
“It is a joy to read….The writing is filled with alluring imagery and a rhythm that invites you in.”