Love That Kitty!: The Story of a Boy Who Wanted to Be a Cat

$12.99
by Jeff Jarka

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Peter is an ordinary boy . . . sometimes. Then one day he decides to become a cat. He purrs. He pounces on unsuspecting prey. He discovers the joy of yarn. And he's an expert at climbing up curtains. While Peter is good at being a kitty, he is not always a good kitty. His parents want their human son back! What's a cat to do? Soon Peter finds an ideal solution to please both man and beast. PreS-Gr 1–In a continuation of the story begun in Love That Puppy! (Holt, 2009), Peter decides to be a cat. The child takes to wearing a cat suit and sleeping in a basket. Over time he masters the art of sharpening his claws on the furniture, climbing the curtains, and even shedding. Then, surprising his parents one day, Peter decides to be a boy again, at least for a while. Although the basic plot is told with succinct text, the real story unfolds through Jarka's illustrations, which are reminiscent of children's animated TV shows or comic books. The artwork has conventions like multiple boxes on a page, conversation bubbles, and colored backgrounds that suggest particular emotions. Jarka draws each character and setting with only a few well-placed lines filled in with bright solid colors. Peter's quirky confidence contrasts hilariously with his parents' bewilderment, especially when they find the kitty litter under the sink. Fans of Peter's first adventure will enjoy this one and look for more to follow. Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT © Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. An “almost” ordinary boy, Peter decides to become a cat. Donning a costume with ears and a long tail, he purrs, sleeps in a basket, and plays with yarn. Despite his more disturbing feline antics, such as scratching the furniture, climbing the drapes, refusing baths (good hygiene = fur licking and the basement litter box), his patient parents attempt to wait out their imaginative son’s latest phase. After he returns to boyhood, their quietly ecstatic response is cut short. Peter has the last word, and it will get a big laugh from the storytime crowd. The digital illustrations feature broad, black lines and areas of flat, bold colors. Using cartoonlike characters with exaggerated poses and expressions, Jarka amplifies the comedy by juxtaposing deadpan lines of text with easy-to-read visual humor. Like his Love That Puppy! (2009), this appealing picture book carries through a single idea with many amusing variations and ends with a hint of Peter’s next adventure. Preschool-Grade 2. --Carolyn Phelan Peter's quirky confidence contrasts hilariously with his parents' bewilderment, especially when they find the kitty litter under the sink. Fans of Peter's first adventure will enjoy this one and look for more to follow. ( School Library Journal ) Fans of Peter's first adventure, Love That Puppy! (2009), will likely enjoy this as well. ( Kirkus Reviews ) Jarka's comic book-style illustrations and surplus of visual gags remain fun. ( Publishers Weekly ) Jeff Jarka was once an ordinary man who one day decided to become a children's book author. First he dug up a book called Love That Puppy! and now has dragged in the sequel, Love That Kitty! Jeff Jarka was once an ordinary man who one day decided to become a children's book author. First he dug up a book called Love That Puppy! and now has dragged in the sequel, Love That Kitty! Used Book in Good Condition

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