The Scariest Kitten in the World

June 1, 2023
A terrifying tome guaranteed to scare the stuffin' outta ya (not really). After a warning and a suggestion that readers find friendlier reading material about rainbows and such, the tale opens on a dismal, decrepit house (on a dark and stormy night, of course). Down a dim hallway sits a "ragged old door." "And SOMETHING WAS THUMPING BEHIND THAT DOOR." The door creaks open. A flash of lightning throws a menacing shadow across the floor--"Are you sure you want to turn the page?" The narrator notes that readers might rather read about ice cream sandwiches or crayons...for on the next page, the narrator is revealed to be...a tiny, white kitten with one wee fang (horrifying, huh?) The kitten's not pleased that readers are laughing. The feline calls on a bevy of fiendish friends, among them adorable puppies (not menacing) and a plump yellow chick yelling "BOO!" (totally not bloodcurdling). The kitten's sure the whole group can be made over to chill hearts. Nope. But wait...what's that at the door? Messner goes full-on goofy with this tale of a feline determined to frighten. Haley's not-so-dark cartoon illustrations of pudgy, sweet animals perfectly contradict the kitty's narration. The cover featuring the cutie-patootie, jewel-eyed kitty spoils the central joke a bit, but hammed-up to the correct degree, this is sure to have 'em howling (with laughter, not fear) in the aisles. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Diverting feline fun for Halloween (or any time of year). (Picture book. 2-7)

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July 1, 2023
Preschool-Grade 2 Promising a "creepy and spine-tingling" tale, a mysterious narrator suggests the less-brave might prefer something "about rainbows or friendly unicorns." For the undeterred, a dark, eerie house awaits. Inside, a door slowly opens, lightning flashes, and a shadow looms. After reminding readers again that they could still choose lighter fare, the shadow's identity is unveiled: a pink-pawed, white-furred kitten! But when its attempts to terrify don't work ("Hey, quit laughing"), kitten enlists its animal pals, though even with homemade signs and costumes, the "Vampire Puppy" and "Spooky Baby Goat" appear more friendly than fearsome. The story takes another turn when the animals themselves get scared, but a page turn reveals a cheerful girl ushering the animal friends to bath and bedtime, though perhaps not everyone's ready to sleep just yet. Messner's lively text is humorously offset and extended in Haley's vibrant cartoon illustrations, especially the expressive animals' antics. The story's blend of suspense and playfulness will likely keep pages turning. A good choice for fans of the classic The Monster at the End of This Book.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 15, 2023
“It’s not too late for you to choose a different book about something more pleasant,” an unseen narrator warns as readers enter a gothic, albeit bright pink, mansion at the start of this picture book; “When you turn the page and have to run screaming for your mama, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” But given that the cover image boasts an adorable white kitten with pink ears and a single fang, it’s evident that something winsome, rather than wicked, this way comes. Sure enough, digitally finished pen and pencil cartooning by Haley (Patrick’s Polka-Dot Tights) reveals the narrator to be the cover-art kitty, whose idea of frightening the audience is letting out a cute “Grrrrarrr!” When it calls its “TERRIFYING FRIENDS” for backup, a craft sesh results in an array of signs for the baby animal colleagues, including a “Spooky Baby Goat” sporting adorable ghost pajamas. What’s a would-be ghoul to do? Happily, a pale-skinned child with curly red hair soon provides the answer: a bubble bath and bedtime under a full moon. Mock-horror text by Messner (Only the Best) has oodles of performance potential, while the art’s sweet-natured, wink-wink personality should remind readers of the sense of empowerment and glee that can come from playing monster. Ages 3–6. Author’s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Nicole Tugeau, Tugeau 2.

August 1, 2023

PreS-Gr 2-While the creatures within this beguiling book would like readers to "Behold the terror!" most readers will find that "hold back the laughs" is more befitting. Readers are warned, encouraged to think of happy thoughts, anything but to continue through this title of (tongue firmly planted in cheek) chills and thrills. But, of course, readers will be turning the pages and read-aloud audiences will be calling out to continue as an adorable white kitten, two cute puppies, some chicks, and more try to be scary. When they can't scare "you," the reader, on face value, they don costumes and try again. The scariest "ghost of a bloodthirsty duckling" covered in a flowered sheet will not scare anyone, but it will have readers laughing. The illustrations and text work together seamlessly, creating a masterful story hour experience that will be enjoyed over and over. VERDICT A funny, perfectly childlike conceit explored to its full capacity for chuckles.-John Scott

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2023
An offstage narrator warns readers (a la Grover in The Monster at the End of This Book) about the "ferocious monster" that haunts the pages ahead. "It's not too late for you to choose a different book about something more pleasant." A page-turn reveals the speaker/monster: a terrifying(ly cute) white kitten doing its darnedest to be threatening. "Hey, quit laughing." Enlisting the help of two sweet puppies, a fluffy duckling, and other animal friends, the kitten's subsequent jump-scare attempts yield similar results. And then...from the doorway...a foreboding shadow looms..."Bath time!" The well-paced text, vibrant pencil and digitally painted illustrations, and effective use of page-turns heighten the drama -- and the silliness. Kitty Flynn

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2024
An offstage narrator warns readers (a la Grover in The Monster at the End of This Book) about the "ferocious monster" that haunts the pages ahead. "It's not too late for you to choose a different book about something more pleasant." A page-turn reveals the speaker/monster: a terrifying(ly cute) white kitten doing its darnedest to be threatening. "Hey, quit laughing." Enlisting the help of two sweet puppies, a fluffy duckling, and other animal friends, the kitten's subsequent jump-scare attempts yield similar results. And then...from the doorway...a foreboding shadow looms..."Bath time!" The well-paced text, vibrant pencil and digitally painted illustrations, and effective use of page-turns heighten the drama -- and the silliness.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)