Fred Marcellino: Illustrations to PUSS IN BOOTS by Charles Perrault

Fred Marcellino (October 25, 1939 – July 12, 2001) was an American illustrator and later an author of children's books who was very influential in the book industry. Publisher Nan Talese said that Marcellino could "in one image, translate the whole feeling and style of a book." 

For his first full-color picture book, Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault, Fred was awarded a 1991 Caldecott Honor. He then went on to publish The Steadfast Tin Soldier, an ALA Booklist Children's Editors' Choice, one of The New York Times's Ten Best Picture Books, and one of Booklist's Best Children's Books of the Year; The Wainscott Weasel by Tor Seidler, an ALA Notable Children's Book; The Pelican Chorus and Other Nonsense by Edward Lear, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; The Story of Little Babaji, an ALA Notable Book; and Ouch!, (a Grimm tale also known as The Devil and His Three Golden Hairs), retold by Natalie Babbitt, an ALA Notable Book.

Frontispiece

...and nothing was left for the youngest but the cat.

When Puss had got what he asked for, he pulled on his fine boots...

He put bran and sow thistle in the sack, and waited for some young rabbit who hadn't caught on the ruses of this world to poke his nose into the sack,

Proud of his kill, he went straight to the royal palace and asked to see the King.

"Sir, I've brought you a wild rabbit which the Marquis of Carabas" - that was the name Puss had decided to give his master - "has bidden me offer you with his compliments." "Tell your Master," said the King, "That his gift has given me great pleasure and that I thank him kindly."

...Puss said to his master: "Do as I say, and your fortune is made. Just go for a swim in the river - I'll show you the exact spot - and leave the rest to me."

While he was swimming, the King passed by and Puss shouted with all his might: " Help! Help! The Marquis of Carabas is drowning!"

"Hurry to the rescue of the Marquis of Carabas!"

While the poor Marquis was being pulled out of the river, Puss went over to the carriage and spoke to the King. "While my master was swimming," he said, "some thieves came and made off with his clothes, even though I yelled "Stop, thief!" at the top of my voice."

The King ordered the offivers of the wardrobe to fetch one of his finest suits for the Marquis of Carabas.

...the King's daughter took a liking to him, too.

When he saw some peasants mowing a meadow, he said to them: "Friends, I want you to tell the King that this meadow belongs to the Marquis of Carabas. If you don't, you 'll cut up as small as sausage meat."

Puss's threat had scared them out of their wits, and they answered in unison: The Marquis of Carabas owns it"

"I want you to say that all this wheat belongs to the Marquis of  Carabas......And the King marveled at the size of the Marquis's estates.

At last Puss came to beautiful castle that belonged toan Ogre.... "Whar a pity it would be, " he said, "to be so near his castle and not stop and pay my respects."

"I ve been told," said Puss, "that you can turn yourself into an animal you please. A lion, for instance or even an elephant."

Puss was so terrified at seeing a lion right there in the room that he scrambled up onto the roof....

...Puss said: "I hear you can turn yourself into small animals too, a rat ot a mouse, for instance. That seems impossible."

"It seems impossible, does it? said the Ogre. A secon later the Ogre was gone and a mouse was scurrying across the floor. Puss pounced and caugt him and gobbled him up.

When Puss heard the sound of the carriage rumbling over the drawbridge, he ran out to meet the King. "Welcome, Your Majesty, " he said "to the Marquis of Carabas's castle."

So, after five or six beakers of wine, the King said to him: "You have only to say the word, my dear Marquis, and I'll take you for my son-in-law."
The Marquis said the word with a low, elaborate bow...

...and married the Princess that same day.

Puss became a great lord and gave up chasing mice, except just once in a while, for the fun of it.