Bad Kitty vs the Babysitter

July 15, 2010

Waking from a dream of Pussycat Paradise, Bad Kitty learns her humans are going on a trip. Of course, they'll bring her a surprise on their return. In the meantime, Uncle Murray will stay with Bad Kitty and Puppy. Puppy droolingly snuggles up to Uncle Murray, but in Bad Kitty's overactive imagination Uncle Murray is a cat-eating ogre. She tries hiding from him, but he "finds her" every time (and she scares the bejesus out of him each time she spazzes). Bad Kitty finally escapes for a chase around the neighborhood. When it ends back at home, Uncle Murray's had enough! Détente is achieved, and as usual Bad Kitty's surprise on her people's return is anything but a reward. Bruel's third chapter-book–length Bad Kitty tale includes more pussycat hijinks and googly-eyed kitty freak-outs. Uncle Murray's questions about cat fears are answered with actual facts, and a list of phobias follows in an appendix. A few lapses in the frenetic pace won't keep fans from enjoying this and looking forward to the promised sequel. (Graphic hybrid fiction. 7-10)

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

August 1, 2010

Gr 2-4-The cantankerous cat is back, and her claws are out in this picture-laden chapter book. Uncle Murray, who has appeared in previous books to give his "Fun Facts" about cats, is here to "pet sit" Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy. The feline is not happy with this arrangement and gives Uncle Murray a horrible time, skittishly jumping out at him when he least expects it. When Murray pulls out the dreaded vacuum cleaner, Bad Kitty bolts out the door and into the street. By the end of the pet-sitting arrangement, a ragged, dirty, glazed Murray keeps repeating wistfully, "fish don't bite or scream or chase you around the house...." Different fonts and huge scrawling words appear throughout, and the black-and-white cartoons on every page often show Bad Kitty and Murray with exaggerated gestures. The style gives the book a fast pace and adds to the comedic atmosphere. However, it's Uncle Murray's good-natured bumbling against Bad Kitty's cranky craziness that will get the giggles going.-Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2011
Bad Kitty is left in Uncle Murray's care while her owners are away for a week. Her stress combined with Murray's lack of understanding about cats leaves both sides anxious for the ordeal to end. The laughs are a bit more forced in this entry than in previous tales, but the copious black-and-white illustrations, along with Bad Kitty's misperceptions, are still entertaining.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 15, 2010

Waking from a dream of Pussycat Paradise, Bad Kitty learns her humans are going on a trip. Of course, they'll bring her a surprise on their return. In the meantime, Uncle Murray will stay with Bad Kitty and Puppy. Puppy droolingly snuggles up to Uncle Murray, but in Bad Kitty's overactive imagination Uncle Murray is a cat-eating ogre. She tries hiding from him, but he "finds her" every time (and she scares the bejesus out of him each time she spazzes). Bad Kitty finally escapes for a chase around the neighborhood. When it ends back at home, Uncle Murray's had enough! D�tente is achieved, and as usual Bad Kitty's surprise on her people's return is anything but a reward. Bruel's third chapter-book-length Bad Kitty tale includes more pussycat hijinks and googly-eyed kitty freak-outs. Uncle Murray's questions about cat fears are answered with actual facts, and a list of phobias follows in an appendix. A few lapses in the frenetic pace won't keep fans from enjoying this and looking forward to the promised sequel. (Graphic hybrid fiction. 7-10)

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)