Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat

Welcome Home - Finally an illustration that deals with the homecoming!

The cat in this illustration seems quite content. In the top portion of the illustration it looks as though the cat’s owners are welcoming him home. The boy’s hands are outstretched and the cat’s tail is up in greeting. The portion below this image appears to be a flashback as if the cat is remembering what he had just accomplished. In the bottom portion, the queen, who looks French in her costume, gracefully lifts up her feet and grabs onto the arm of her throne while the clever quick cat takes care of business. What makes this illustration so interesting is that the artist focuses on the homecoming rather than the action of catching the mouse. The top portion of the picture really focuses on the nursery rhyme. In the rhyme the cat has been asked, “Where have you been?” The action of frightening the mouse has already taken place. Therefore, one might say that this illustration complements the nursery rhyme more accurately than the others. Note the warm rosy tones of the larger image and the lighter, brighter view of the exploits with the queen.