Title: Here Comes the Easter Cat
Author: Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Claudia Rueda
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014
Ages: 2-6
Themes: cats, easter bunny, humorous stories, jealousy
Opening:
What’s wrong cat?
You look grumpy?
The Easter Bunny?
What about him?
Synopsis:
When Cat tries to replace the Easter Bunny, he soon learns that the job is much harder than he expected-and does not allow time for naps.
Why should the Easter Bunny get all the love? That’s what Cat would like to know. So he decides to take over: He dons his sparkly suit, jumps on his Harley, and roars off into the night. But it turns out delivering Easter eggs is hard work. And it doesn’t leave much time for naps (of which Cat has taken five–no, seven). So when a pooped-out Easter Bunny shows up, and with a treat for Cat, what will Cat do? His surprise solution will be stylish, smart, and even–yes–kind
Why I like this book:
I am a fan of all Deborah Underwood’s cat books. Cat has all the charming obnoxiousness of many felines I have known and Underwood nails and quirky cat humor. Cat always manages to be true to her selfish instincts and yet demonstrate her creative generosity at the same time.
This picture book tackles jealousy from a comedic stance and it is very successful. As in the other cat books, it is told from the narrator’s point of view who is addressing the cat directly. The cat has no dialogue, but communicates by his signs and actions, responding to the narrator. His naughtiness will appeal to kids, e.g. the human narrator has to shoot down his idea of distributing hairballs instead of chocolate eggs!
Claudia Rueda is masterful with Cat’s facial expressions and in creating compelling illustrations despite few scene changes. Most of the pictures are of Cat with a white background. But it works to accompany Underwood’s page-turning cat humor. It’s another story that begs to be read aloud with a class several times.
Activities/Resources:
- If you like Here Comes Easter Cat, you’ll love Here Comes Santa Cat
- Check out my interview with the author and her cat, Bella
- 29 Easter Activities for preschoolers
Find more “Perfect Picture Book Friday” reviews at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog HERE.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
I LOVE Cat–ALL Cat! I also love all of Deborah Underwood’s work. She is terrific and has the comedic timing down pat. I am also a little jealous. I am not reviewing this Cat Book and I so love to review the Cat books. Cat, I miss ya’!
Sue, I am a Cat and Deborah fan too. She has pacing and page turns down in this series!
Has she ever missed? I don’t think she has, just my CAT-egorical opinion.
This book sounds both funny and clever. I had to laugh at the idea of Cat wanting to deliver hairballs instead of chocolate eggs. And I love the game board you included. I’m imaging the game as a huge floor sized board on which children can walk (or hop) from space to space. That would make a fun party game. Thanks for another fun book review!
I was a bit like Cat at school, naughty but with a good heart!
I remember being pleasantly surprised when I read this. It really is so well put together. So cute and appropriate this weekend. Thanks!
Yes, despite it being about Easter, it really has an all round appeal.
Deborah Underwood’s cat books charm me from beginning to end. I love the expressive illustrations and humor. That’s a different kind of egg hunt. Great for indoors.
I just love the point of view-very effective.
Looks like this one has already become a classic!
So true. A perennial.
Great timing for this book! I love the Easter egg game.
I chuckled at the thought of hairballs instead of Easter eggs. Great choice for the holiday weekend.
Cat is such a goofball!
Cat is one of my all-time favorite characters. I’m sure cats everywhere think that this book is autobiographical. 😀
This is one of my favorite series right now! Love the humor and the illustrations!
Perfect timing! Love Deborah’s Cat!