Here Comes the Easter Cat (Here Comes Cat)

After his success at assisting the Easter Bunny, Cat comes up with another idea for the final spread: He tries on a Santa Claus costume that just might predict a sequel. Utterly endearing. (Picture book. 3-6)

Copyright 2014 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--What happens when a lazy cat decides he wants to take over Easter? Readers meet Cat, who conveys his thoughts with pictures and facial expressions. As the story progresses, Cat becomes more and more convinced he is the perfect candidate to replace the Easter Bunny. Will he get his way? The narrator, who kids will enjoy pretending to be, explains Cat's actions and asks all the right questions. "Clothes? No, you don't need special clothes. Well...the Easter Bunny does wear a very nice vest. Wow. That's very...sparkly." This is a book that will be enjoyed in storytimes as well as one-on-one. The wonderful ink-and-color pencil illustrations depict the characters' expressions perfectly, enabling children to decipher what is happening even without the narrative. The combination of witty text, plentiful white space, and brilliant images make this a truly winning book, especially for libraries looking to expand their Easter collections.--Brooke Rasche, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Underwood and Rueda deliver an Easter book with real personality in this story of a cat who's got his eye on the Easter Bunny's job. Underwood (The Quiet Book) structures the story as a conversation between Cat and a witty unseen narrator; Cat never speaks, but instead communicates his responses his facial expressions, body language, and the occasional placard. Rueda (Is It Big Or Is It Little?) does a marvelous job of capturing Cat's rapidly changing emotions, from his pride at picking the perfect vehicle to deliver Easter gifts (a massive red motorcycle, naturally) to his horror at realizing that an Easter Cat's busy schedule would mean no time for naps. It's a highly appealing blend of slightly edgy humor and underlying sweetness, and the ending suggests that Santa better watch his back. Ages 3-5. Author's agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Jan.)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

A Kirkus Best Book of 2014

"Underwood uses a clever narrative technique to tell her light-as-air story." —The New York Times

★ "Will be enjoyed in storytimes as well as one-on-one. The combination of witty text, plentiful white space, and brilliant images make this a truly winning book . . . Wonderful." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Utterly endearing." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Underwood and Rueda deliver an Easter book with real personality in this story of a cat who's got his eye on the Easter Bunny's job . . . Marvelous . . . A highly appealing blend of slightly edgy humor and underlying sweetness." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "Cat's signs and facial expressions are cheekily amusing, sometimes contradicting the narrator . . . Add it to an Easter or cat storytime lineup, or tuck it into a cat-lover's Easter basket." —BCCB starred review

"Witty . . . entertaining." —The Horn Book

"Hilarious." —Booklist