Princess Puffybottom . . . and Darryl

by Susin Nielsen (Author) Olivia Chin Mueller (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

What's a pampered cat to do now that she has to compete for attention with an ill-mannered puppy?

Princess Puffybottom has the perfect life -- her subjects serve her delicious meals, clean up her "delicate matters" and wait on her hand and foot. Life is good . . . until Darryl arrives. Princess Puffybottom thinks he's disgusting, horrid and a true animal. Though she tries everything in her power to banish him (including hypnosis, trickery and even sabotage), it looks like this puppy is here to stay. Can Princess P. and Darryl find a way to co-exist?

Select format:
Hardcover
$16.19 $17.99

Kirkus Reviews

Starred Review
Nielsen's tale and Mueller's digitally created pooch and puss pair perfectly. . . . Princess and Darryl need a sequel.

Publishers Weekly

Princess Puffybottom, a dignified cat with a feathery black tail, is not pleased when her two mothers ("her subjects") bring home Darryl, a light brown puppy with a slurping tongue: "He was horrible. He was disgusting. He was an animal!" She rejoices when it seems that Darryl has gone away--but he returns wearing a cone and garners cuddles from their humans. Attempts to frame Darryl don't work, and the princess is left despondent. But she begins to notice the dog's good qualities: he's useful when it comes to getting into the garbage and, anyway, he "worshipped her." A final spread reveals a new surprise: the couple has added a newborn child to the family. Mueller's frisky digital cartoons flaunt the pets' differing personalities, making their eventual coziness all the more tender. Ages 3-7. (Feb.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Beautifully illustrated with muted colors throughout, both Nielsen and Mueller have presented a delightful story of a pampered cat who learns to adapt to the changes within her family." —School Library Connection

"Nielsen's text is understated and funny. Children will relate to its simplicity and adults will understand all that is left unsaid about their children's feelings." —Imaginary Elevators

"The humorous, entrancing illustrations relay part of the story not explained in the text and act as a visual punch line to the humour. . . . Children will love Princess Puffybottom's antics." —Resource Links
Susin Nielsen
Susin Nielsen is a critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling author of many children's books, ranging from picture books to young adult novels, including No Fixed Address and We Are All Made of Molecules. Nielsen also verges on being a cat lady. She lives in Vancouver, Canada, with her family and--of course--two felines: Emily Brontë and Erwin Schrödinger. Visit her at SusinNielsen.com.

Vivian Mineker is a Taiwanese American illustrator whose work derives from a love of nature and animals, as well as an appreciation of the world around her. She creates visuals that she hopes connect with her audience and evoke the profound feelings and emotions that we all experience as humans. She has illustrated a number of children's books, including The Road Not Taken, The Secret Life of Trees, What a Ship Sees, and Love Is in the Air. Visit her at VivianMineker.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781101919255
Lexile Measure
N/A
Guided Reading Level
N/A
Publisher
Tundra Books (NY)
Publication date
February 20, 2019
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV002050 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Cats
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
JUV013070 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Siblings
Library of Congress categories
-

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!