It's race day, and once and for all, it's time to determine the better feline: little cats or big cheetah. Cheetah might be bigger, taller, stronger, faster . . . but the little cats have some tricks up their sleeves, so don't count them out! With his signature wit and bold, graphic art, Bob Shea brings us an irresistible story about the difference between brains and brawn. PreS-Gr 3-Cheetah always has to win. On the title page, readers see him looking in the mirror flexing his muscles. Meanwhile his two kitten friends have something up their furry sleeves as their kyuuto shushing faces reveal. In color-coded dialogue, they announce (their colors intertwined) that it is the day of the big race. The retro artwork is kid-friendly, flat with textures as if done in crayon, with lots of little motion lines, and a palette of mostly orange and blue, all creating a flow of action. The two kittens know Cheetah oh so well, and entertain themselves (at his expense) before the big race by sponsoring various other competitions, all contrived to slow him down. They use a mixture of cunning and flattery, awarding Cheetah with such prizes as wooden platforms they call winner shoes. The pacing is energetic and lively-untethered by any setting and formulated for those young listeners who would rather be tearing across the yard than sitting and reading. Written for those who must endure the antics of younger ones who pout and cry if they lose, this title is an apt choice to open a discussion about dealing compassionately with someone who always has a competitive edge.-Sara Lissa Paulson, The American Sign Language and English Lower School, New York Cityα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Wringing the same clever humor out of absurd competitions that works so well in his Dinosaur vs. series, Shea offers up a new take on the tortoise versus the hare. Pitting two crafty and adorable cats against a swell-headed cheetah (fastest runner on earth), Shea delivers on the always-welcome message that, while it’s great to be physically adept, you simply can’t top intelligence. The cats set up the victory-obsessed cheetah with preliminary races and load him with awards that slow him down and make him clumsy, so by the time the final race is on, Cheetah can barely see—let a alone run—straight. In warm shades of orange and blue, the arts lively energy keeps the book buzzing, and the cartoonish facial expressions exemplify familiar character traits. Kids will enjoy having one over on Cheetah as they see what’s coming, and theyll appreciate an ending twist in which the loudmouthed braggart does not learn a lesson and the smaller felines suggest that winning isn’t actually everything. Preschool-Grade 1. --Jesse Karp “The art’s lively energy keeps the book buzzing … Kids will enjoy having one over on Cheetah as they see what’s coming, and they’ll appreciate an ending twist in which the loudmouthed braggart does not learn a lesson and the smaller felines suggest that winning isn’t actually everything.” - ALA Booklist Praise for I’M A SHARK: “There will be no need to fear for Shark’s enduring popularity; here he proves he’s one refreshing delight.” - Kirkus Reviews Praise for I’M A SHARK: “The oversize but spare drawings of a boastful young shark declaring his bravery guarantee giggles.” - School Library Journal Praise for I’M A SHARK: “Warm up your performance skills for the exclamatory narrative, and watch your audience become a school of kid-sized great whites before your very eyes.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Praise for OH, DADDY!: “The gentle humor evident in the contrasts between text and pictures, as well as the scenes of the father doing things outrageously wrong, will keep kids entertained.” - School Library Journal (starred review) Praise for OH, DADDY!: “Busy parents will want to try this formula of patience plus humor.” - Publishers Weekly “A high-volume victory for compassion. ” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) It's race day, and once and for all, it's time to determine the better feline: little cats or big cheetah. Cheetah might be bigger, taller, stronger, faster . . . but the little cats have some tricks up their sleeves, so don't count them out! With his signature wit and bold, graphic art, Bob Shea brings us an irresistible story about the difference between brains and brawn. Bob Shea has written and illustrated over a dozen picture books, including the popular Dinosaur vs. and Ballet Cat series, I’m a Shark , and Oh, Daddy! His characters and animations have appeared on Nick Jr., Disney Junior, and PBS Kids. Bob spends his days writing and drawing. He can be found online at www.bobshea.com.