Introducing the charming and lovable Elemenopeo—no ordinary cat. Elemenopeo has a strict daily routine. First he goes outside to play in the garden and to wistfully observe the flying birds, then he curls up for a nap and his favorite dream. But one morning his schedule is completely thrown off. His cat door is closed for repairs, leaving the adventuresome Elemenopeo trapped inside. Bored, he prowls from room to room, until he spots an easel and a box of paints. Suddenly he is struck with an idea, and he dons a smock and begins to paint. Elemenopeo paints his favorite dream, which transcends reality and joins the world of birds. In this whimsical story, illustrated with fresh colorful paintings, an irrepressible little cat soars as high as his dreams. Young children will relate to Elemenopeo's security in his scheduled day, his dismay at being stuck inside, and the way he uses his imagination as a means of escape. Harriet Ziefert has written many popular books for children, including her latest, I Swapped My Dog. She divides her time between Maplewood, New Jersey, and Lincoln, Massachusetts. David Saaf, a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, has illustrated several books for children. He lives with his wife and son in Bellow Falls, Vermont.
Author
Harriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University. For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs. "About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.
