“It has become one of my favorite books. I like the pictures and the story – the whole story except the starting.” –T, age 4
Mephisto
Written by Bernard Villiot
Illustrated by Antoine Guilloppé
Translated from the French by Kathryn Bishop
Published September 2019
Premise:
Mephisto the feral black cat is hated and abused by the townsfolk. He seeks a peaceful life in the countryside, where he “learned to live without fear or anxiety.” When winter comes, however, he returns to the city for shelter. He is welcomed with open arms – literally – as the rat-catcher who keeps vermin at bay. In his absence, rodents had run rampant and the townsfolk had recognized his role in their lives. Where once they drove him from their sight, they now praised and fawned over him.
Why we chose this book:
I came across Mephisto in this article about picture books on the New York Times; the synopsis and themes sounded impressive. How could we resist the chance to see how French author Bernard Villiot and illustrator Antoine Guillipé pack everything into this picture book? Minedition provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Premise:
Mephisto the feral black cat is hated and abused by the townsfolk. He seeks a peaceful life in the countryside, where he “learned to live without fear or anxiety.” When winter comes, however, he returns to the city for shelter. He is welcomed with open arms – literally – as the rat-catcher who keeps vermin at bay. In his absence, rodents had run rampant and the townsfolk had recognized his role in their lives. Where once they drove him from their sight, they now praised and fawned over him.
Discerning readers will encounter themes of prejudice, determination, and revelation, but they do not overwhelm the audience. The fact that Mephisto is a cat allows readers to maintain distance from difficult subjects if they are not quite ready to confront them. Children who are ready can easily translate the cat’s experience to that of humans. Mephisto is a good springboard for conversations about prejudice or abuse. Or you could read it simply as a story about a cat who finds love. That is the beauty of Mephisto – you can read at the level you are ready for and you have a stunningly illustrated journey any way. As T will tell you, “It’s all silhouettes.”
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T and I discussed as we read:
Mom: How are you feeling while Mephisto is in town?
Son: Sad because he isn’t getting his wishes to be loved and have a nicer name than Mephisto.
Mom:…as Mephisto is leaving?
Son: I’m starting to feel happy because now he’s trying to find a nicer home and I bet he is going to.
Mom:…now that he is in the countryside?
Son: Very happy because now he is free and he is happy.
Mom:…now that he is coming back to town?
Son: Sad cuz he’s going back and he’s no longer happy. Maybe they’ll like a white cat instead of a black cat [since he’s covered in snow].
Mom: …at the end?
Son: Very happy because now they love him.
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T and I discussed as we read:
Mom: How are you feeling while Mephisto is in town?
Son: Sad because he isn’t getting his wishes to be loved and have a nicer name than Mephisto.
Mom:…as Mephisto is leaving?
Son: I’m starting to feel happy because now he’s trying to find a nicer home and I bet he is going to.
Mom:…now that he is in the countryside?
Son: Very happy because now he is free and he is happy.
Mom:…now that he is coming back to town?
Son: Sad cuz he’s going back and he’s no longer happy. Maybe they’ll like a white cat instead of a black cat [since he’s covered in snow].
Mom: …at the end?
Son: Very happy because now they love him.
Mom: I’m worried that the people might not continue being nice to him. What do you think will happen?
Son: [They’ll be] Mean again, maybe, because they were mean before and it’s hard to change. Is this a true story?
Mom: No. Can cats really talk?
Son: No. But this cat can.
Mom: What did you think of the book?
Son: I liked it because Mephisto had a happy ending.
Mom: What would you say to the townspeople if you could meet them?
Son: Don’t be mean to Mephisto anymore. Black cats are not the devil.
Mom: Can we learn anything from this book? Anything about life?
Son: Treat animals nicely if they're your pets. But if you don’t, they’ll run away at night too….No matter what, be nice.
Son: [They’ll be] Mean again, maybe, because they were mean before and it’s hard to change. Is this a true story?
Mom: No. Can cats really talk?
Son: No. But this cat can.
Mom: What did you think of the book?
Son: I liked it because Mephisto had a happy ending.
Mom: What would you say to the townspeople if you could meet them?
Son: Don’t be mean to Mephisto anymore. Black cats are not the devil.
Mom: Can we learn anything from this book? Anything about life?
Son: Treat animals nicely if they're your pets. But if you don’t, they’ll run away at night too….No matter what, be nice.
Why we chose this book:
I came across Mephisto in this article about picture books on the New York Times; the synopsis and themes sounded impressive. How could we resist the chance to see how French author Bernard Villiot and illustrator Antoine Guillipé pack everything into this picture book? Minedition provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
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