Here Comes Teacher Cat (Here Comes Cat)

When Ms. Melba has to go to the doctor, the star of Here Comes the Easter Cat nd 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 afountain that spouts fisha is involved), and art (major cleanup is involved). Thereas plenty to giggle over on almost every page, but the funniest moment might belong to Ms. Melba, who returns to the classroom with a acone of shamea around her neck. Ages 3a 5. Authoras agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary (Aug.) Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

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.

"[A] back-to-school heart warmer." —The Wall Street Journal

★ "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." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Kids will think it is just purrfect." —The Washington Post

"The interplay between unseen narrator and substitute teacher Cat fuel the humor, and Claudia Rueda's adorable, deadpan illustrations carry the simple story." —Common Sense Media

"In a clean-up worthy of The Cat in the Hat, the kittens pitch in to save the day. . . . Cat's droll expressions and signs are highlights . . . [and] readers may get a kick out of imagining what adventures they might have with their own substitute teachers." —Kirkus

"Whether new to this series or a seasoned fan, this amusing read-aloud has much to offer the younger back-to-school crowd." —School Library Journal

"Underwood's clever use of page-turns and comedic timing . . . deliver a droll story about the joys and challenges of teaching." —The Horn Book