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Romeow and Drooliet
Author-artist Nina Laden has taken her trademark wit and applied it to one of Shakespeare's best-lovedplays. Adults familiar with the classic love story will delight in the many references to the original play,all of which make this a a children's book they want to read again and again. And young children who know nothing of the Bard will be riveted by this funny yet touching tale about Romeow the cat and Drooliet the dog, two star-crossed lovers who meet by chance, marry in secret, and are kept apart by a snarling rottweiler, appalled owners, and the animal control warden. The clever details throughout the book belie the careful research behind this homage to true love won and lostand in the case of this book won againproving once and for all that dogs and cats can be friends.
44 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
June 8, 2020
Read this for a summer course and what a cute story!
February 12, 2023
I’m not entirely sure that all second graders are ready for the intensity of a Shakespeare tragedy, but I’m willing to throw them under the bus each year to get the gaspy reactions I got this Valentine’s week. I do find the illustrations in this faintly creepy and out of proportion.
June 6, 2015
School Library Journal
( June 01, 2005; 9780811839730 )
Gr 2-6-A delightful parody of Shakespeare's most famous love story. Romeow (the Felinis' favorite cat) and his brothers decide to attend a costume ball at the home of the cat-hating Barkers, where Romeow, of course, instantly falls madly, passionately in puppy-love with the beautiful Drooliet. Starry-eyed, they gaze at one another, dance, and enact the famous balcony scene, finally marrying in secret. Of course, their joy is short-lived as Turbo, the Barkers' rottweiler, decides to defend his family's honor and attacks Romeow and his brothers. At this point, the animal control warden leaps into the fray, catching Romeow and forcing the other animals to scramble for cover. Later, when Drooliet tries to run toward her imprisoned lover, she is struck down by a car, and only Romeow's selfless act of giving up one of his nine lives allows her to survive. No funeral, no gloom and doom-the families unite, and the loving couple goes off on a glorious honeymoon. As in When Pigasso Met Mootisse (Chronicle, 1998), Laden has created a spoof that is sure to delight its intended audience. Moving smoothly between humorous poetry and fast-moving, witty prose, she has successfully fashioned the story into a modern, happy tale. The gouache illustrations are well rendered, brightly colored, and filled with realistic details to frame the ironic twists of the story.-Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
*****
I agreed with the review in that the author did an excellent job using "fast-moving, witty prose." I noticed many literary devices, such as similes, puns, and rhyming in the story that made the story an interesting and humorous parody. Although my fourth grade students would most-likely not know the story of Romeo and Juliet, I think they would enjoy the very dramatic story with strong animal characters. I think this book could also be a great introduction in middle school and high school classrooms who read the real version of Romeo and Juliet.
( June 01, 2005; 9780811839730 )
Gr 2-6-A delightful parody of Shakespeare's most famous love story. Romeow (the Felinis' favorite cat) and his brothers decide to attend a costume ball at the home of the cat-hating Barkers, where Romeow, of course, instantly falls madly, passionately in puppy-love with the beautiful Drooliet. Starry-eyed, they gaze at one another, dance, and enact the famous balcony scene, finally marrying in secret. Of course, their joy is short-lived as Turbo, the Barkers' rottweiler, decides to defend his family's honor and attacks Romeow and his brothers. At this point, the animal control warden leaps into the fray, catching Romeow and forcing the other animals to scramble for cover. Later, when Drooliet tries to run toward her imprisoned lover, she is struck down by a car, and only Romeow's selfless act of giving up one of his nine lives allows her to survive. No funeral, no gloom and doom-the families unite, and the loving couple goes off on a glorious honeymoon. As in When Pigasso Met Mootisse (Chronicle, 1998), Laden has created a spoof that is sure to delight its intended audience. Moving smoothly between humorous poetry and fast-moving, witty prose, she has successfully fashioned the story into a modern, happy tale. The gouache illustrations are well rendered, brightly colored, and filled with realistic details to frame the ironic twists of the story.-Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
*****
I agreed with the review in that the author did an excellent job using "fast-moving, witty prose." I noticed many literary devices, such as similes, puns, and rhyming in the story that made the story an interesting and humorous parody. Although my fourth grade students would most-likely not know the story of Romeo and Juliet, I think they would enjoy the very dramatic story with strong animal characters. I think this book could also be a great introduction in middle school and high school classrooms who read the real version of Romeo and Juliet.
April 22, 2021
A love story that almost ended tragically. The felinis and the barkers were two main families who just didn’t like each-other. The felinis were a group of cats and the barkers were a group of dogs. The story starts off with the felinis going to the park. Romeow wanted to go to the park to find love but his brothers were up to no good. When at the park one of romeow’s brothers got into it with one of the barkers named Turbo so they decided to leave. On the way home they saw a flyer for a costume party so they raced home to change. Once at the party they realized it’s the barkers house and they didn’t know if they should go in. They went in anyways and romeow was definitely shocked. His eyes landed on a dog by the name of drooliet. It was like love at first sight. They danced the night away until turbo came and ruined the moment. He called romeow out for being a felini but drooliet didn’t care. The felinis left and romeow lingered in the garden and he heard drooliet calling out to him. Drooliet didn’t care that she was a barker and romeow was a felini neither did romeow. The two decided to meet up the next day and get married. After the ceremony they were strolling in the park when once again turbo comes running up. Turbo starts a fight with the felini brothers cause romeow to draw his claws and scratch. Romeow then gets picked up but the pound and drooliet runs away. She ends up at the pound and makes eye contact with romeow once she gets there. Drooliet started to run across the street when all of a sudden she was struck by a car. Romeow cried over her body confessing his love and licking on her until she’d awaken. After that the barkers and the felinis looked passed their differences and lived happily ever after. This book shows that just because ur different it doesn’t mean that you cant get along.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2019
The classic story of Romeo and Juliet, told with cats and dogs. The story was adapted really well for young children, easing a lot of the violence and the tragedy into a really great introduction to the story. Despite these changes, it really doesn't look down on the reader, choosing to use a lot of more complex wording. The book was full of funny parody of Romeo and Juliet and other classic stories as well as tons of dog and cat puns which help to make the book enjoyable to both adults and children. The puns and the rhyming especially could be beneficial and enjoyable for early readers. The book could be used really well in a classroom as an early introduction to the story of Romeo and Juliet, or could be used with older students as a source to compare and contrast modern renditions of the Romeo and Juliet story with the original.
September 8, 2020
This is a classic twist on Romeo and Juliet. Romeow is a cat and Drooliet is a dog that end up falling in love despite the obstacles their relationship may face. Romeow meets Drooliet at a masked party where cats were not welcomed because the party was thrown by a dog family. After attending the party the two fall in love but soon come to realize because of their families differences they cannot be together. But, they didn't let that stop them from being together. They ran away to get married and not long after a terrible accident happens to Drooliet and Romeow gives her one of his nine lives so they can continue to live happily ever after.
This book touches on how to accept others for who they are and not whats on the outside. It also shows that at the end of the day, everybody is the same and we need to be kind and grateful for our family and friends.
This book touches on how to accept others for who they are and not whats on the outside. It also shows that at the end of the day, everybody is the same and we need to be kind and grateful for our family and friends.
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August 16, 2023 Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;
Whose misadventur’d piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love,
And the continuance of their parents’ rage,
Which, but their children’s end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;
The which, if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
This is not that story!
Do Hamlet next
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;
Whose misadventur’d piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love,
And the continuance of their parents’ rage,
Which, but their children’s end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;
The which, if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
This is not that story!
Do Hamlet next
December 3, 2019
5/5 stars
3-4th grade
Traditional fantasy-fairytale
This had a great spin of the true story of Romeo and Juliet! This one introduced cats and dogs instead of humans, but it ended up working out in the end! I loved reading this book as I connected the original story with this one. I think that kids would like this one more as they may find it easier to connect with and more interesting as it involves animals.
3-4th grade
Traditional fantasy-fairytale
This had a great spin of the true story of Romeo and Juliet! This one introduced cats and dogs instead of humans, but it ended up working out in the end! I loved reading this book as I connected the original story with this one. I think that kids would like this one more as they may find it easier to connect with and more interesting as it involves animals.
April 24, 2020
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade Range: 3rd-4th
Book Review: What an interesting homage to Romeo and Juliet! I love the colorful illustrations of the animals and the aesthetic they have! This book is so cute and I believe this book can teach children about acceptance of differences in each other! I think it is important to really step back and appreciate that this book acknowledges that outward differences are not meant to determine whether you get along with someone or not.
Grade Range: 3rd-4th
Book Review: What an interesting homage to Romeo and Juliet! I love the colorful illustrations of the animals and the aesthetic they have! This book is so cute and I believe this book can teach children about acceptance of differences in each other! I think it is important to really step back and appreciate that this book acknowledges that outward differences are not meant to determine whether you get along with someone or not.
April 30, 2020
A playful take on a Shakespearean classic, Romeow the cat and Drooliet the dog are two star-crossed lovers that introduce children to this famous story. Lots of alliteration and rhyme to explore in this book. It also explores conflict, love and war between characters from opposing backgrounds.
Storyline Online link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBpk9...
Activity guide link: http://bit.ly/romeowdrooliet
Storyline Online link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBpk9...
Activity guide link: http://bit.ly/romeowdrooliet
April 13, 2021
This story was such a cute read. It was a fun and unique way of retelling Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I like how the author puts the dogs and cats as the opposing families. This story was adapted very well for kids. The author eases the amount of violence and death in the original to give kids a story that has a happy ending. The illustrations are very well done. They are fun, bright, and colorful just like the story itself.
July 19, 2021
4.5 stars
It does not have any characters die and stay dead - that's my only complaint (and for a children's book, I can easily accept that).
My THREE YEAR OLD SON sat through this book and was TRANSFIXED. As a classics lover, this makes it a total win. It's switches from play to fiction which i love. The illustrating is great and very catching. The text is wonderfully in line. The whole cat/dog thing is pulled off brilliantly.
It does not have any characters die and stay dead - that's my only complaint (and for a children's book, I can easily accept that).
My THREE YEAR OLD SON sat through this book and was TRANSFIXED. As a classics lover, this makes it a total win. It's switches from play to fiction which i love. The illustrating is great and very catching. The text is wonderfully in line. The whole cat/dog thing is pulled off brilliantly.
November 14, 2023
"Romeow and Drooliet" by Nina Laden is a delightful feline twist on Shakespeare's classic tale. Laden's clever adaptation, paired with the whimsical illustrations, tells the story of two lovestruck cats, Romeo and Juliet, with a humorous cat-centric twist. The playful language and charming characters make this picture book a fun and entertaining read for both children and cat lovers alike.
January 29, 2019
This is a really cute (and not depressing) version of Romeo and Juliet. I think the author did a good job retelling the story without losing the underlying theme and still making it appropriate for small children. The illustrations are very nice and detailed.
February 19, 2020
This was a real stinkbomb.
I thought a dog & cat love story had potential. But the characters and illustrations and the author's take on Shakespeare were not really charming or cute in any way. Very dated.
And what a terrible ending.
I thought a dog & cat love story had potential. But the characters and illustrations and the author's take on Shakespeare were not really charming or cute in any way. Very dated.
And what a terrible ending.
June 16, 2020
Genre: Modern Classic
Grades: 3-5
This book did not meet my expectations. Personally, I don't think it is respectful to the original story and I struggled to imagine what type of student would read this book.
Grades: 3-5
This book did not meet my expectations. Personally, I don't think it is respectful to the original story and I struggled to imagine what type of student would read this book.
June 16, 2022
I have taught Shakespeare to high school students, so to find a children’s book about Romeo and Juliet intrigued me. It’s such a cute book and honestly very funny when you have read Shakespeare’s plays. I loved the little references to other plays hidden within the pictures.
June 12, 2017
Storylineonline video
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2018
#shakespear #classic #animals #rebellion
July 13, 2019
Our students in class really enjoyed this one.
February 19, 2020
Funny and cute
June 9, 2020
This is a decent rendition of the Shakespearean play.
It even touched on tragedy for a moment before all went well in the end.
I didn't like the illustrations but overall a well done story.
It even touched on tragedy for a moment before all went well in the end.
I didn't like the illustrations but overall a well done story.
December 7, 2021
This book is a super fun remake of the classic Romeo and Juliet. overall I really liked this book and i think that it is a great way to incorporate Shakespeare even for younger ages.
January 7, 2022
nothing like a Victoria's Sercert trip! oh my 💖💘🌸💗🌷🛍🏩
April 23, 2022
Fantasy
2nd - 4th grade reading level
This was a fun take on a classic story! I loved how kid friendly the book was! This would make a great read aloud or bedtime story!
2nd - 4th grade reading level
This was a fun take on a classic story! I loved how kid friendly the book was! This would make a great read aloud or bedtime story!
May 19, 2022
This is definitely a different version of Romeo and Juliet but very kid appropriate and a happy ending
February 19, 2024
I like this version, but have to be careful because there are similar versions out there that aren't as good.
June 29, 2024
This is a cute introduction to Shakespear's Romeo and Juliet, although there are some key points that have been changed. Read by Haylie Duff on Storyline Online.
January 24, 2017
I love this kid-friendly spin on the tale of Romeo and Juliet. My students loved it too.
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February 12, 2015Romeow and Drooliet is a picture book version of Romeo and Juliet told through the viewpoint of a cat and a dog. The book stays true to the original story with the exception of a couple minor details. It begins with Romeow (a cat) and his friends hanging out when one of them suggests that they should go to a masked party. Romeow objects saying that the dog family is throwing the party and cats will not be welcomed. However, his friend insists that because everyone will be in costume there will not be a problem. At the ball Romeow meets the most beautiful girl he has ever seen names Drooliet. They both fall in love but soon realize they are from opposing families that will never allow their love to be. They decide to get married in secret despite their families’ wishes. However, after they are marries members of their family find out and a riot ensues. The result of this riot is Drooliet getting sent to the pound and Romeow being chased by the police. As soon as they open the car door that is transporting Drooliet to the pound she jumps out into traffic to reach Romeow. She is then hit by a car and is unconscious. Romeow is devastated and his family regrets that they were not able to settle their issues in time to save Drooliets life. Romeow then gets an idea and gives Drooliet one of his nine lives so that they can live together happily ever after.
The pictures in this story are painted in an impressionistic format and add detail to the written story that makes them essential to the book. Many of the pictures contain images that fall off the page or give the reader the impression that they are a part of the scene making the events appear livelier. The colors are used in a way that is obviously meant to express a certain mood in each scene and make the reader feel a certain way about the events. The illustrator also offers many details in the background of each scene for readers to examine and further their understanding of the story.
The text within the story is in a Rhyming format and allows young children to experience a classic tragedy in a way that is appropriate for them and relatable. It is well known even to children that cats and dogs do not get along and by using this idea the author helps to paint a realistic picture of the family feud for the young mind. The author also effectively demonstrated the tragedy of the story in the moments where it is believed that Drooliet is dead but does not fully commit to this tragic ending most likely because it would not be deemed sensitive enough for the younger audience. The main theme of the story is a bit didactic, however, it is a great lesson for children to learn that everyone can be friends despite differences.
The pictures in this story are painted in an impressionistic format and add detail to the written story that makes them essential to the book. Many of the pictures contain images that fall off the page or give the reader the impression that they are a part of the scene making the events appear livelier. The colors are used in a way that is obviously meant to express a certain mood in each scene and make the reader feel a certain way about the events. The illustrator also offers many details in the background of each scene for readers to examine and further their understanding of the story.
The text within the story is in a Rhyming format and allows young children to experience a classic tragedy in a way that is appropriate for them and relatable. It is well known even to children that cats and dogs do not get along and by using this idea the author helps to paint a realistic picture of the family feud for the young mind. The author also effectively demonstrated the tragedy of the story in the moments where it is believed that Drooliet is dead but does not fully commit to this tragic ending most likely because it would not be deemed sensitive enough for the younger audience. The main theme of the story is a bit didactic, however, it is a great lesson for children to learn that everyone can be friends despite differences.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews