Big Cat

December 15, 2015
The patient and long-suffering orange tabby Big Cat is an ideal companion for beginning readers. The opening, wordless pages will win new readers over with the charming expressions of this whiskered cartoon feline. The story is told mostly in pictures with just a change in the ending of the single sentence "Big Cat can...." On the verso page at the story's beginning, Big Cat sleeps contentedly while a pigtailed girl peers over from behind the couch. Subsequent spreads show her increasingly rough handling of the family pet. Maybe Big Cat can hug, fly, and dance, but it is clear from the illustrations that the cat is definitely not having fun, even though the text asserts that "Big Cat can be fun." The kitty is downright relieved when she finally says, "Big Cat can sit," with a pat on the head. When a red-haired boy, presumably her brother, shows up, Big Cat runs, only to be caught and clothed in hat, wig, dress, and heels, to the delight of both children. In real life, most cats would claw, scratch, or hide, but Big Cat ruefully allows these indignities. The simple subject-predicate sentence pattern will soon be easily recognized by the youngest beginning readers, offering near-instant reading gratification. Big Cat's expressive antics offer success for children just starting their reading journeys. (Early reader. 4-8)

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January 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-Big Cat "can do" many things, like dance, fly, and run away from the children who seem bent on playing with him like he's a favorite toy. The vocabulary is simple-each spread includes the statement "a Big Cat can" plus a different sight word, creating a solid basic reader. The cartoon drawings offer kids a different impression-and therein lies the humor. They see a very fat cat who is dressed up and overly handled but who seems resigned to his miserable fate. The digital artwork is colorful and fun. VERDICT A lively addition to easy reader collections.-Heather Massa, East Rockaway Public Library, NY

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2017
Two children demonstrate the talents of their portly cat. Cartoon-style illustrations illuminate the truth behind the text's straightforward assertions ("Big Cat can hide. Big Cat can dance") with Big Cat's expressively disgruntled face and body language. The simple sentence structure and repetitive vocabulary, paired with illustrations that both support and humorously undermine the text, make this an excellent selection for beginning readers.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)