Here Comes Santa Cat

Starred review from September 15, 2014
Underwood and Rueda follow Here Comes the Easter Cat with an equally excellent outing that sees Cat attempting to assume the role of another holiday icon. Cat is concerned that he’s been too naughty during the past year (and he has a pie chart to prove it), so he dresses up as Santa—what better way to ensure he gets a gift? As in the previous book, the back-and-forth between Cat and an unseen narrator propels the story’s humor. “Instead of trying to be Santa, why don’t you just try to be nice?” suggests the narrator before coaching Cat through a few less-than-successful attempts at caroling and tree decorating (“Wow,” says the narrator, opposite an image of Cat thoroughly wrapped up in a string of lights). An ideal holiday pick for the naughty and nice alike. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

September 1, 2014
The egocentric feline protagonist of Here Comes the Easter Cat (2014) returns for another opportunity to receive a present, just as the ending of the previous story predicted. The format is the same, with gentle questions from an unseen authority figure (quite parental in tone) asking what Cat can possibly be thinking with each new wild idea. The silent but hardly uncommunicative Cat answers with signs, gestures or actions, or sometimes just with one of his many endearing facial expressions. He is dressed like Santa so he can give himself a present, since he doesn't think he's been good enough to warrant a gift on his own merits. (That pie chart is pretty damning.) Following suggestions from the narrator, Cat pursues some activities to improve his niceness quotient (caroling, giving fish to children, decorating the community tree), with, er, limited success. Grudgingly, he then shares some food with a kitten. He is rewarded with a present from the real Santa-a green Santa's Helper suit-as well as a ride in Santa's sleigh. The illustrations in inks and colored pencils are pleasantly whimsical, and the generous white space, old-fashioned typeface and uncluttered format work just as well in the sequel as in the first volume. Cat seems to have all sorts of schemes up his furry sleeves; perhaps he'll be angling for birthday presents or a visit from the tooth fairy next? Quite a charming character, that Cat. (Picture book. 4-7)

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Starred review from October 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 3-The delightfully self-centered mischievous feline from Here Comes the Easter Cat (Dial, 2014) is back! He's been naughty and believes Santa will skip him, so he dresses as Santa to give himself a present. A patient narrator advises Cat that Santa gives to others, not himself. After many silly and ridiculous attempts, Cat gives something nice, learning the true meaning of giving and receiving. Readers will enjoy the playful exchange between the narrator and Cat, the expressive full-color ink and colored-pencil cartoonlike illustrations, and the nicely resolved ending. Great for reading one-on-one or in small groups.-Maureen Wade, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2014
Grades K-1 An unseen narrator keeps up a funny conversation with a nontalking cat dressed in a Santa suit. When asked why he's wearing the costume, Cat hold up a poster showing Santa (labeled Me ) giving a present to a cat ( also me ). So what's the deal? Cat thinks he's been a bad kitty and doesn't have time to get off the naughty list. This is loads of clever fun, jumping back and forth between the questioner's understated queries and the amusing answers given in pictures or pantomime. Cat, boldly standing out on white pages, eventually makes for an excellent holiday hero. Adults and children will both have fun with this.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

November 1, 2014
Cat was jealous of the Easter Bunny's job in Here Comes the Easter Cat (rev. 3/14). Now the naughty feline figures that if he dresses up as Santa Claus, he can give himself a present. But he quickly abandons the idea when he realizes Santa's job entails not only getting sooty but also delivering gifts to others. After a few failed last-ditch attempts at good deeds to get on the nice list, Cat discovers the true Christmas spirit just in time to receive a special present from Santa. Once again the humorous banter between an offstage narrator, who addresses Cat directly, and the silent-yet-expressive Cat, who lets his illustrated signs do the talking, will keep kids giggling. Underwood and Rueda's spot-on use of comedic timing, page turns, white space, and layout creates another holiday winner. cynthia k. ritter

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2015
Naughty Cat (Here Comes the Easter Cat) figures that if he dresses up as Santa Claus, he can give himself a present. But he quickly abandons the idea when he realizes Santa's job entails not only getting sooty but also delivering gifts to others. Underwood and Rueda's spot-on use of comedic timing, page turns, and layout creates another holiday winner.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)