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Minou
A cat who does not know how to take care of herself is abandoned in the streets of Paris and discovers self-reliance by working as a mouser at the Notre Dame Cathedral.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1987
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 1, 2019
With her every need attended to by her human companion, Minou's life was one of ease and contentment. Her only job was to be "cute, cuddly and attentive." But then one terrible day, Madame Violette died, and the little Siamese cat found herself on the streets of Paris, fending for herself for the first time. With no survival skills to speak of - no notion of how to find food or shelter - things soon went from bad to worse for Minou, until a chance encounter with sophisticated street-cat Celeste set her paws on a better path...
Written by Mindy Bingham while she was the executive director of the Girls Club of Santa Barbara, Minou is an engaging and well-illustrated animal-story allegory that teaches an important lesson about self-sufficiency. Created and aimed specifically at young girls, in an effort to counteract social pressures which encourage the continued inequality of women, it includes a page of suggestions, and questions to promote discussion, at the rear. Despite this explicitly didactic purpose, Bingham's book manages to promote good feminist values without being preachy, and although aimed at girls, will also appeal to boys. All children, after all, must grow up some day, and they will instinctively identify with a character who must learn to take care of herself.
Itoko Maeno's lovely watercolor illustrations enhance the emotional impact of the tale, from Minou's initial contentment, through her distressing experiences with homelessness and hunger, and into her time as an "independent cat of means." All in all, a delightful picture-book - I thank my friend Manny for recommending it!
Written by Mindy Bingham while she was the executive director of the Girls Club of Santa Barbara, Minou is an engaging and well-illustrated animal-story allegory that teaches an important lesson about self-sufficiency. Created and aimed specifically at young girls, in an effort to counteract social pressures which encourage the continued inequality of women, it includes a page of suggestions, and questions to promote discussion, at the rear. Despite this explicitly didactic purpose, Bingham's book manages to promote good feminist values without being preachy, and although aimed at girls, will also appeal to boys. All children, after all, must grow up some day, and they will instinctively identify with a character who must learn to take care of herself.
Itoko Maeno's lovely watercolor illustrations enhance the emotional impact of the tale, from Minou's initial contentment, through her distressing experiences with homelessness and hunger, and into her time as an "independent cat of means." All in all, a delightful picture-book - I thank my friend Manny for recommending it!
June 21, 2016
Impulse grab at the library because I grew up with a stray that must have been at least half Siamese.
The author's note makes it clear this was written for 'teen women' but it's a nice story on its own, sans metaphor. Maybe a titch long for the diaper set, but not as long as others imply. I still don't have any interest in visiting Paris, but those who do will no doubt love the pictures of the landmarks and people, including the sidewalk artists in the beginning.
From the security of the leash, when Minou's only duties were to be cute and cuddly, to such independence that she free-lances to the priests instead of letting herself belong to them, Minou's adventure of growth is one anyone can enjoy.
...edit June 20 for a key missing "not" in the third sentence...
The author's note makes it clear this was written for 'teen women' but it's a nice story on its own, sans metaphor. Maybe a titch long for the diaper set, but not as long as others imply. I still don't have any interest in visiting Paris, but those who do will no doubt love the pictures of the landmarks and people, including the sidewalk artists in the beginning.
From the security of the leash, when Minou's only duties were to be cute and cuddly, to such independence that she free-lances to the priests instead of letting herself belong to them, Minou's adventure of growth is one anyone can enjoy.
...edit June 20 for a key missing "not" in the third sentence...
May 21, 2009
One of my favorite books for children. Minou, a lovingly-drawn Siamese, lives with an old artist lady in a Paris apartment. One day, the lady suddenly drops dead. (This is implied; the actual death happens off-stage). Minou, who has never had to look after herself for five minutes of her pampered life, is out on the street. She doesn't know how to cross a road, find food, anything. All she can do is act cute. But she's not quick enough with the cute, no one wants to take her in, and now she's thin and dirty - not cute at all. Things look really bad.
Enter Celeste, a white cat clearly from Somewhere Else. (This is the only book I know which features a feminist feline angel). She looks the heroine in the eye and says "Minou, it's time to teach you to be self-sufficient!" And, sure enough, she does. Under Celeste's capable tuition, Minou rapidly acquires a full range of life skills. After a month, Celeste pronounces herself satisfied, and tells her protegée that it's time to get a job. She knows (she appears to have inside connections) that Notre Dame cathedral needs a new mouse-catcher. Minou is the only applicant, and is asked to start immediately. When she looks round, Celeste has gone.
Although the book is intended more for girls, my two boys adored it; I recommended it to a colleague, who says her 6 year old boy did too. There is an interesting layer that will only be apparent to adult readers. Another memorable scene, near the beginning. Minou is being washed in the sink, and visibly not liking it - she's tensed up, and her claws are out. The narrator comments "It isn't always nice to belong to someone". But, later on, she learns that it's much pleasanter to lick yourself clean...
Enter Celeste, a white cat clearly from Somewhere Else. (This is the only book I know which features a feminist feline angel). She looks the heroine in the eye and says "Minou, it's time to teach you to be self-sufficient!" And, sure enough, she does. Under Celeste's capable tuition, Minou rapidly acquires a full range of life skills. After a month, Celeste pronounces herself satisfied, and tells her protegée that it's time to get a job. She knows (she appears to have inside connections) that Notre Dame cathedral needs a new mouse-catcher. Minou is the only applicant, and is asked to start immediately. When she looks round, Celeste has gone.
Although the book is intended more for girls, my two boys adored it; I recommended it to a colleague, who says her 6 year old boy did too. There is an interesting layer that will only be apparent to adult readers. Another memorable scene, near the beginning. Minou is being washed in the sink, and visibly not liking it - she's tensed up, and her claws are out. The narrator comments "It isn't always nice to belong to someone". But, later on, she learns that it's much pleasanter to lick yourself clean...
January 21, 2014
This is a book Betty Friedan would have liked to read her grandchildren. If I could rate this book solely on the illustrations, it would have received five stars. I absolutely loved the beautiful depictions of Paris, some of which spanned two pages. They were stunning. I thought the story itself was a little weird though. This book was a mash-up of Paris guidebook meets female (feline) empowerment. Minou is a Siamese cat whose posh, sheltered life is cut short when her elderly owner dies. She's then put out on the street. At first, she tries to find another owner to take care of her. She fails, and being the pathetic, weak feline that she is, she sends up a wailing howl that can be heard through all of Paris. Thankfully, she is befriended by a street smart cat, Celeste, who teaches her how to fend for herself. Eventually, Minou finds employment as a mouser and rejects the opportunity to be taken care of by the priests of Notre Dame Cathedral because, as she reflects, "I do not want anyone to own me." Ok… I didn't realize until I was done reading this that it was published in the late 1980s by Advocacy Press. This made the feminism and strong didactic tone more understandable, but no less weird in a children's book. The fact that part of the reason Minou can't find anyone to take care of her is because she loses her looks ("I'm no longer cute and cuddly, so no one wants me") seems to perpetuate the commonly held belief that only ugly and unattractive women (or cats? I swear this book is supposed to be about cats!) know how to work and take care of themselves. While I agree that, as the wise Celeste states, "Everyone should know how to live alone and take care of her own needs," I found this story a little too political.
December 12, 2014
We started this book while at the library with my son's pre-school class. One of the other kids wanted me to read it to them. It's a long book, so we didn't finish it and I checked it out so that we could finish at home. Minou is a cat, a very pampered, siamese cat who is taken care of by an elderly lady in Paris. The go on walks together with Minou on a leash. One day, Minou's mistress falls ill and just like that is taken to the hospital and passes away there. She had made no arrangements for Minou and so when the movers came to clear out her apartment, she hadn't eaten in several days already and they just tossed her out onto the street. She had never been outside without the leash, she had felt safe with it on. And she was so pampered that she didn't know how to feed herself or clean herself. She used up several of her lives the first few days on the street. Until she met another cat who showed her the ropes. She even helped her find a "job" where she would always find plenty of food. By then, she enjoyed her freedom and decided not to take up residence inside.
The illustrations are gorgeous water-colors with many of Paris's most familiar sights. This book was fun for us, because we live in Paris, but it would be a wonderfully empowering book for any child who is learning how to take responsibility for themselves.
The illustrations are gorgeous water-colors with many of Paris's most familiar sights. This book was fun for us, because we live in Paris, but it would be a wonderfully empowering book for any child who is learning how to take responsibility for themselves.
June 10, 2025
I was looking for a book that I used in a children's reading program in the early 1980s. As it turns out, this was written in the late 1980s, and wasn't the book I remember, but another brave cat named Minou. A good find! Beautiful illustrations; lovely symmetry between part 1 - the cat's comfortable life with the artist owner, and part 2 - the challenges of being on her own.
It makes me want to draw my own city scenes.... not Paris.... but beauty here too.
It makes me want to draw my own city scenes.... not Paris.... but beauty here too.
January 22, 2018
My aunt gave me this book when I was younger and it is one of my favorites. A great book about learning how to rely on oneself and why it is important to be an independent person. Great moral and lesson!
October 9, 2023
Gloriously illustrated and wonderfully written. It was a delight to read about Minou and her journey to independence as it was set against the glorious Parisian city scape. Also, no bedbugs in sight. What a line to write in this age.
February 8, 2018
Gorgeous artwork and a beautiful message about loss and independence. This book was wonderful to read. I adore Minou!
Bonus points because of the stats and discussion questions in the back.
Bonus points because of the stats and discussion questions in the back.
February 17, 2023
I was not expecting Minou to break my heart, but here we are. Losing her owner and learning to be self sufficient is an important message, but it is good to ask for help when we need it too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2007
This book is a beautiful message of self sufficiency, about a cat of 'independent means'. Minou is a lovely and pampered siamese who is one day abandoned when her elderly owner passes away. She must therefore learn to take care of herself by learning to catch mice for a cathedral and earn her keep--the grateful priests leave her bowls of milk in gratitude. It is a lovely story for girls, with an unmistakeable message encouraging them to learn a trade and be in the position to provide for themselves.
March 27, 2009
My friend just gave me this to read not more than twenty minutes ago. Her and I both love cats also my next door neighbor has a cat named minou. But this book was great it really holds a lot from cats and mice, to confidence and independence. Some other realities like friendship,longing, abandonment, fear and courage have a strong play throughout this short story. This is truly an amazing book for children and adults alike it really makes you feel good, inspired, and hopeful. take your time to read this and you will experience what a life a simple house cat could have.
February 20, 2016
Knowing that I love cats, my most recent ex gave this to me when he was sorting through his stuff and decluttering. The illustrations are beautiful (especially Minou's quiet assertiveness, which leaps off the page) and I found myself nostalgic for Paris, even though I'm not particularly enamoured of said city. The message that female empowerment comes from developing independence and self-reliance became a bit heavy-handed towards the end (perhaps because I live that message every day), but I liked the last line: 'Minou is ... a cat of independent means!'. Make like Minou. :)
March 5, 2015
The picture in this book are "The Tourist Guide to Paris" It almost makes me want to go to Paris (almost) The pictures are great! The story isn't bad...but I feel like it is a little heavy handed with the "Career goals" and "Independence" also it is EXTREMELY LONG for a children's book! But the pictures are great and only a few words per page! I still enjoyed it!
Want to read
May 22, 2009I think I read this as a girl and LOVED it!!! Oh wow, how did I forget about it!?!? Must find it again, and other books from this fabulous press. We had several and I loved them all! :-)
November 21, 2012
This was my favourite book as a child, it's lovely. I still have my book somewhere on the attic, safe in storage for the day when I have kids to read this to.
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