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THE CAT AND THE RAT AND THE HAT

Name: THE CAT AND THE RAT AND THE HAT
Author: Em Lynas
ISBN: 978-1-5362-2310-1

by Em Lynas ; illustrated by Matt Hunt ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 21, 2021

A delightfully silly rhyming picture book about cats, rats, bats, and high fashion.

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A happy cat has a yellow mat where it likes to play, rest, and dream about fish.

The cat is content until it sees a rat wearing an enormous pink hat—and wants it. The cat chases the rat and, ultimately, takes the hat. But the rat is not willing to give up so easily. What ensues is a true game of cat and mouse, with the rat and the cat chasing each other and vying for ownership of the precious, gigantic pink hat. Things get even more complicated when the dueling pair is noticed by a bat—who happens to be wearing a fancy cravat. Then the bat decides that it, too, wants the hat, and the cat and the rat lose interest in the hat and instead decide that they want the bat’s fancy cravat. The chase is on as each animal tries to get a hold of the item of clothing it desires, all the while trying to outsmart its peers. This charming rhyming book’s ridiculously humorous premise will appeal to children and adults alike. The colorful pictures are delightfully absurd and enhanced by clever textual design. (Most notably, when the bat speaks, its words appear upside down.) Lynas turns the primer-level language into a deliciously clever, rhythmic text; paired with the vibrant illustrations it makes for an ideal read-aloud. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A delightfully silly rhyming picture book about cats, rats, bats, and high fashion. (Picture book. 2-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 21, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-5362-2310-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Nosy Crow

Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
D IS FOR DOG!
by Em Lynas ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie

- BOOK REVIEW
THE GOAT AND THE STOAT AND THE BOAT
by Em Lynas ; illustrated by Matt Hunt

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.

Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: July 5, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3

Page Count: 16

Publisher: HMH Books

Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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PEANUT BUTTER & CUPCAKE

by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 29, 2014

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...

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The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.

Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)