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Overview
It's Bad Kitty's birthday, and you're invited! Bad Kitty's second illustrated novel is packed with deadpan humor, rich tidbits of cat information — and even some suspense! Who took Kitty's presents? Why are Kitty's friends so bizzare? Readers will laugh out loud at Kitty's feline mood swings, and they'll be touched by the heartwarming visit from a surprise guest.
Synopsis
Who doesn’t love cake and presents and party games? Bad Kitty, of course.
Publishers Weekly
In the second early chapter book starring this perennial sourpuss, Bad Kitty's day starts off with a special alphabetical “Birthday Breakfast” that includes Aardvark Bagels, Clam Doughnuts and Eel Fritters. Each chapter focuses on a different part of the day's festivities (Bad Kitty is excited about the prospect of presents, but less so about looking through an old photo album and decorating the house). Eventually, some aptly named guests such as Strange Kitty, Chatty Kitty and Stinky Kitty arrive, and the story becomes a whodunit when Bad Kitty's presents vanish and the prime suspect ends up being the lovable slow-wit, Puppy. The appearance of Bad Kitty's Mama, who sports a pearl necklace and a vacuous expression, offers—briefly—a softer side of the feline. Bruel has fun with the format, using footnotes, different font sizes, comedic/informative interludes about cat behavior (“Uncle Murray's Fun Facts”) and lengthy side stories that take place in corner panels to add to the story's freewheeling atmosphere. But as usual, it's Bad Kitty's unapologetic, curmudgeon nature that delivers the laugh-out-loud funny. Ages 7–10. (Sept.)
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
In the second early chapter book starring this perennial sourpuss, Bad Kitty's day starts off with a special alphabetical “Birthday Breakfast” that includes Aardvark Bagels, Clam Doughnuts and Eel Fritters. Each chapter focuses on a different part of the day's festivities (Bad Kitty is excited about the prospect of presents, but less so about looking through an old photo album and decorating the house). Eventually, some aptly named guests such as Strange Kitty, Chatty Kitty and Stinky Kitty arrive, and the story becomes a whodunit when Bad Kitty's presents vanish and the prime suspect ends up being the lovable slow-wit, Puppy. The appearance of Bad Kitty's Mama, who sports a pearl necklace and a vacuous expression, offers—briefly—a softer side of the feline. Bruel has fun with the format, using footnotes, different font sizes, comedic/informative interludes about cat behavior (“Uncle Murray's Fun Facts”) and lengthy side stories that take place in corner panels to add to the story's freewheeling atmosphere. But as usual, it's Bad Kitty's unapologetic, curmudgeon nature that delivers the laugh-out-loud funny. Ages 7–10. (Sept.)School Library Journal
Gr 1–3—Bad Kitty is back for another adventure, and children who have met this cantankerous feline in her previous outings know that a typical birthday celebration just won't do. Kitty "helps" with the decorations, "welcomes" the guests, and gets the best gift of all in a surprise visitor at the disastrous party's end. Bruel's fast-paced humor is just right for the beginning chapter book set, and the interplay of the text with the comic black-and-white illustrations ratchets up the zaniness level. "Uncle Murray's Fun Facts" sections sprinkled throughout offer facts about why cats sleep, scratch, and engage in odd behaviors, and an appendix tells more about each of the breeds represented by Bad Kitty's party guests. A frenzied fusion of fiction and nonfiction with plenty of appeal for young readers.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MDKirkus Reviews
Bad Kitty is back; and, just like every morning, she doesn't want to get out of bed. Today, however, is a special day: Bad Kitty's birthday! After a special alphabetical breakfast made of everything from Aardvark Bagels to Yak Zabaglione, Bad Kitty "helps out" with the decorations (i.e., destroys them). She picks out what she really wants from the Cat-alog of Cat Toys just before the guests start to arrive. She unwraps their . . . questionable gifts, which promptly vanish. Who is stealing them? Bad Kitty's human gives her a truly hideous gift, and Bad Kitty has a major freakout until a special guest calms her down. Then Poor Puppy gives Kitty his homemade present, and it's time for bed. Bruel's follow-up to Bad Kitty Takes a Bath (2008) is nearly as much fun. Uncle Murray returns with his real facts about cats, and an appendix offers information on the breeds of each of the guests. The frenetic black-and-white illustrations are just plain hysterical, and the translations of Siamese Chatty Kitty's blathering is a stitch. Fun for all, especially fans. (Fiction. 7-10)From the Publisher
“It's Bad Kitty's unapologetic, curmudgeon nature that delivers the laugh-out-loud funny.” —Publishers Weekly “Just plain hysterical. . . . Fun for all, especially fans.” —Kirkus Reviews“[A] mix of wry story and high-impact cartoon-style art.”—Booklist
“Bad Kitty is back for another adventure, and children who have met this cantankerous feline in her previous outings know that a typical birthday celebration just won’t do. . . . Bruel’s fast-paced humor is just right for the beginning chapter book set, and the interplay of the text with the comic black-and-white illustrations ratchets up the zaniness level. . . . A frenzied fusion of fiction and nonfiction with plenty of appeal for young readers.” —School Library Journal