Bruno, the Standing Cat

One morning, Peter, wearing a sky blue outfit and a wide-eyed expression, hears meowing out of a box labeled "Bruno" that he finds on his doorstep. When he opens it, a cat rises up expectantly on his hind legs, face-to-face with the child. Robert (Toshi's Little Treasures) offers not so much a story as an amusing catalogue of Bruno's accomplishments. When Peter's friend Pam invites him to the park, Bruno goes with them, running on his hind legs. "How did you teach your cat to do that?" Pam asks. "I didn't teach him," Peter says truthfully. "He could always do that." (Bruno looks at the audience with a pleased expression.) Thickly stroked black lines by Jullien (Why the Face?) give bold clarity to his characteristic artwork. A series of images shown against brightly colored matte backgrounds is devoted to the ways Bruno defies feline expectation. He prefers bubble gum to cat food, playing house to batting yarn, and would rather give Peter a massage than scratch the furniture. Bruno's facial expressions provide most of the laughs--they range from horror to disdain to great delight--and the standing cat's distinctive personality makes the book well worth sitting down with. Ages 3-7. (Apr.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2-A little boy opens his front door to find a box with the name "Bruno" written on it. Upon investigation, Peter comes face-to-face with a black-and-white cat who demonstrates some unique talents: "Gee, Bruno! You're standing!" Peter immediately appreciates the idiosyncrasies of his new pet, but it takes longer for others to understand Bruno's nonconventional charms. When Pam comes over to play, she asks, "Does Bruno like to play with balls of yarn?" Jullian's thickly outlined, droll cartoons show an unenthusiastic feline, with droopy whiskers, making a half-hearted reach for the string. Peter matter-of-factly replies, "No, but he loves to play house and serve me tea," as Bruno confidently shows off his refined tastes and hosting skills. Instead of scratching his claws, eating kibble, and hiding in his box, Bruno prefers to give back rubs, chew bubble gum, and dance with wild abandon to his favorite song. The pastel colored pages make the bold illustrations pop and match the upbeat humor. VERDICT This quirky and stylish friendship tale is a great storytime choice.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont.

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Bruno's facial expressions provide most of the laughs—they range from horror to disdain to great delight—and the standing cat's distinctive personality makes the book well worth sitting down with. "
-Publishers Weekly

"This comical story upends reader expectations and is perfect for group sharing. Its one-dimensional, thick-lined illustrations are positioned on simple backgrounds, often a solid color, which allows young readers to stay focused on Bruno's antics. . A sweet concluding scene draws this entertaining story about individuality and friendship to a close."
—Booklist

"The simple, cartoonlike illustrations, heavily outlined in black and backgrounded by saturated pastels, are as whimsical as the story. The tuxedo cat's expressions as it regards a bowl of kibble or gets down and boogies are priceless."
—Kirkus