BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Payne, E. (1944). Katy no-pocket. (H.A. Rey, Illus.). Houghton Mifflin Company.  

PLOT SUMMARY 

Katy’s distress at being a kangaroo with no pouch is quickly remedied by a kindly construction worker. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS 

The characters in Payne’s Katy No-Pocket will delight children of all ages. Seeing how mothers take care of their young gives a sense of safety to children. Katy’s concern for the well-being of her little kangaroo brings out empathetic feelings of the young readers. When Katy finally finds a solution to her problem of not being able to carry her child, the reader is relieved that her problem is solved. The animals in the story are all amicable to each other with Katy talking to a crocodile at the beginning of the story.  

Rey’s illustrations are ones with which children can identify. He uses simple line drawings and bright colors with a lighter, water-colored sky background so that the featured animal on the page stands out. Even with the simplicity of his drawings, he can show reflections in water, the pushing of baby birds from the nest, and the hopping motion of Katy. Rey does not busy his page of illustrations with anything extra. Children will delight in studying the illustrations.  

REVIEW EXCERPTS 

School Library Journal. “Truly amusing pictures.” 

Alabama Camellia Children’s Choice Book Award. 1981.  

CONNECTIONS 

  • Talking to children about problem solving. 
  • Collect non-fiction books about how animals care for their young. Compare.  
  • Gather other books illustrated by H.A. Rey and compare.