Here Comes Teacher Cat

Starred review from May 15, 2017
When Ms. Melba has to go to the doctor, the star of Here Comes the Easter Cat and its sequels reluctantly agrees to be a substitute teacher at Kitty School. Underwood and Rueda maintain the droll narration and spare visual humor of the previous books as Cat guides eager kittens through music (electric guitars are involved), building time (a “fountain that spouts fish” is involved), and art (major cleanup is involved). There’s plenty to giggle over on almost every page, but the funniest moment might belong to Ms. Melba, who returns to the classroom with a “cone of shame” around her neck. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary.

June 1, 2017
Cat is back, a busy schedule of naps interrupted by some substitute teaching when Ms. Melba gets sick. Will Cat survive?It turns out that missing naps isn't the worst part--attempts to escape out the window or hide under the desk show that kittens are out of Cat's comfort zone. But the unseen narrator's guilt trip about Ms. Melba's past kindnesses gets the feline moving, albeit reluctantly. But what to do with all those identical-looking kittens? Music? Sure, but when the recorders prove discordant, Cat breaks out an electric guitar, which disturbs the class next door. Building time is more successful, but Cat again goes too far with art time, providing bowls of paint and demonstrating how to dip paws in and make prints on the wall. Uh-oh. Ms. Melba's back (from the vet, evidently, as she is in an Elizabethan collar that will have pet owners chuckling). In a clean-up worthy of The Cat in the Hat, the kittens pitch in to save the day. And when asked what they learned, they use signs like Cat's to explain. And Cat? Cat's learned that kittens aren't so bad after all. Cat's droll expressions and signs are highlights, but while amusing, this entry doesn't rise to the level of predecessors; Cat doesn't walk that fine line between nasty and nice in the way that readers have come to expect, and the give-and-take with the narrator also isn't as much fun. Not Cat's funniest outing, but readers may get a kick out of imagining what adventures they might have with their own substitute teachers. (Picture book. 4-8)

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August 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 1-Cat is back for his first non-holiday adventure, this time as a substitute teacher. Ms. Melba has to go to the doctor, so Cat is called upon to lead a classroom of eager preschool kittens. Cat has a few entertaining missteps, but by the time Ms. Melba returns, the whole classroom has enjoyed making music, building, and painting. What Ms. Melba will never know is that music included rocking out on a very loud electric guitar, that Cat showed the kittens how to build a fountain that spouted fish, and that the painting was done on the classroom walls. This fifth installment of series follows the same conventions of the previous titles. The unseen narrator prompts and prods the feline hero along, with many a comment and question from Cat communicated through wordless signs on sticks. Readers are encouraged to interact with the text, just as the narrator does. Soft primary colors and light shading, created with ink and color pencil on white paper, complement the amusing facial expressions of the reluctant protagonist. Plenty of white space, clear layouts, and well-placed, large text make this a great book for a group storytime. VERDICT Whether new to this series or a seasoned fan, this amusing read-aloud has much to offer the younger back-to-school crowd.-Amy Seto Forrester, Denver Public Library

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2018
The offstage narrator persuades mischievous Cat (Here Comes the Easter Cat and sequels) to forego napping to substitute-teach for Ms. Melba. Underwood's clever use of page turns and comedic timing help deliver a droll story about the joys and challenges of teaching. The kitten students, with their adorable facial expressions and body language, almost steal the show from star Cat in Rueda's humorous ink and colored-pencil illustrations.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2017
Some teachers know just what to do with a classroom full of students. The same can't be said for the mischievous feline star of Here Comes the Easter Cat (rev. 3/14) and sequels. Nevertheless, the offstage narrator persuades Cat to forego napping in order to substitute-teach for Ms. Melba. Though less than thrilled to be spending the day with kittens, Cat reluctantly complies. From leading a music class that's a bit too rock-and-roll, to building a fish-spouting fountain (snack time!), to teaching the kitties to channel their inner Pollock (on the classroom walls), Cat, as always, does things Cat's way. But uh-oh! Ms. Melba is on her way back! Will Cat get in trouble? Underwood's clever use of page-turns and comedic timing, in addition to the series' trademark placards that nonverbal Cat uses to communicate, help deliver a droll story about the joys and challenges of teaching. While Cat is still the star in Rueda's humorous ink and colored-pencil illustrations, the kittens almost steal the show with their adorable facial expressions and body language. When asked what they did that day, the clever kittens show Ms. Melba they've learned a thing or two from their unconventional sub--including how to use their words (written on placards) to express themselves. And Cat discovers it's never too late to learn new things--or take a nap (with friends). cynthia k. ritter

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)