Bad Kitty School Daze (Bad Kitty Black-and-White Edition)

Bad Kitty (and her attitude) are back in her sixth illustrated chapter book, and roughhousing has earned both her and Puppy a trip to Diabla Von Gloom's School for Wayward Pets. Throughout, Bruel has fun defying readers' expectations: despite the teacher's name (and that the school resembles a haunted mansion), she's patient and kind, believing there is no such thing as "bad" pets. And despite Bad Kitty's reputation, she might be right. Chapters take readers through school day activities that range from arts and crafts time (while Puppy is a dog of few words, it turns out he's a savant when it comes to art and music) to show and tell (Bad Kitty's contribution: a hairball). Additional comedy comes from two classmates, an ill-mannered rabbit who believes he's a "mutant supervillain," and a temperamental cat-hating bulldog, who has decided that Bad Kitty is actually a cow (much to the cat's relief). Facts about cat-dog interaction—courtesy of a familiar face, Uncle Murray—are a bonus, but as usual it's Bad Kitty's personality that rules the day. Ages 7-10. Agent: Jennie Dunham, Dunham Literary. (Jan.)