​I guess I’m not a “cat person,” but it’s really not my fault. My mom is afraid of cats. If I got a cat, I’d lose my free babysitter. And my husband says cats have an attitude. Besides, I grew up with a dog, and we now own a dog of our own, so I know dogs. I really don’t know what to “do” with cats. But they do fascinate me. They may have an attitude, but that’s what makes them so interesting! Today I bring you a review of the first in a brilliant series of books starring Cat. In them, the narrator (which is really you, the reader), ask (and answer) Cat’s questions:

​Though Cat never speaks a word (he communicates only by facial expressions and the occasional hand-made poster), you know just what he’s thinking. He is grumpy. He is grumpy because the Easter Bunny gets so much attention. So, the narrator offers a suggestion or two to help Cat feel appreciated too. Of course, that “cattitude” creeps in, and Cat threatens to take over Easter. But with the narrator’s help, Cat learns to appreciate the hard work the Easter Bunny does every year. This hilarious read-aloud book is filled with ink and color pencil illustrations of Cat, the Easter Bunny, candy, motorcycles, and sparkly vests; and the text is filled with humor, heart, and “cattitude!” I have read (and own almost) the whole series (HERE COMES SANTA CAT, HERE COMES VALENTINE CAT, HERE COMES THE TOOTH FAIRY CAT, and HERE COMES TEACHER CAT) because I am in love with Deborah Underwood and Claudia Rueda’s Cat! I’m sure you’ll fall in love too.
 
Read this review on Goodreads or Amazon

​We live in an area that gets cold and snowy in winter. I figure our dog’s fur IS her coat, but some days are REALLY cold, so I bought Lacey a little fleece jacket to wear on those freezing days. She doesn’t seem to mind. But when it snows and they salt the road, our poor pooch winces in pain. My thoughtful mom bought Lacey a pair of booties so she could walk outside in comfort. Ha! You should have seen her trying to walk when we put her in these booties! She wanted nothing to do with them. She walked as if she was trying very hard to get away from them, if possible. That brings me to my book review for today. It’s about a dog who wants nothing to do with bows: 

​Poor Hugo! Milly might like to dress her pooch in pretty bows, but Hugo wants nothing to do with them. And worse, his neighbor dogs think he looks pretty ridiculous too. He tries to show Milly how he feels, but she doesn’t get the message. When Hugo can’t take it anymore, he resorts to running away. That solves the problem of bows, but now Hugo is miserable. He misses Milly. I encourage you to read this great read-aloud book to find out how Hugo resolves his dilemma, but rest-assured, it’s a happy ending! This fun story is full of bright, digitally rendered illustrations of Hugo, Milly, neighborhood dogs, and bows, of course! The cover immediately caught my attention. I LOVE the expression on Hugo’s face while wearing that huge, frilly bow! The engaging expressions continue, page after page, until the heart-warming end. Whether or not you like to dress up your pet, I think you’ll enjoy this adorable book.
 
Read this review on Goodreads or Amazon.