Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray

by Nick Bruel

Overview

Kitty's owners are taking a week off and leaving Kitty and Puppy at home. So who's going to watch them? Good ol' Uncle Murray, star of the Fun Facts feature of previous Kitty books—the guy you thought knew everything about cats. Think again! It isn't long before Uncle Murray is driven to near madness by shenanigans of epic proportions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596435964
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	08/31/2010
Series:	Bad Kitty Series
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.76(w) x 11.06(h) x 0.73(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Nick Bruel is the author and illustrator of New York Times bestseller Boing! and the Bad Kitty books, among others. He is a freelance illustrator and cartoonist, and during his down time, he collects PEZ dispensers and grows tomatoes in the backyard. He lives in Tarrytown, NY with his wife Carina and their lovely cat Esmerelda.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE

PUSSYCAT PARADISE

WELCOME, KITTY!

Welcome to Pussycat Paradise, where everything you see is made entirely out of FOOD—food for your belly!

The mountains are made out of kibble. The trees are made out of sausages and bacon. Cans of cat food grow out of the ground. And the grass is made out of catnip.

Yes, Kitty! Eat! EAT! Food is everywhere! The rocks are made out of turkey and giblets. The dirt is made out of tuna fish. Even the rivers flow with beef gravy.

And the best part, of course, is that YOU are the only one here! No dogs to hound you. No people to make you take a bath. There is no one else here. Only you.

Be careful, Kitty. Don't touch that can. It's the only thing holding up that gigantic chicken liver.

OH NO! TOO LATE! The gigantic chicken liver is going to fall! Look out, Kitty! LOOK OUT!!

WHOOPS!

Sorry, Kitty. I hope I didn't wake you when I dropped the suitcase.

That's right, Kitty. We're going on a little trip. We'll be gone for a while

Sorry, Kitty. You're not going with us. You'll have to stay home with Puppy

Excerpted from Bad Kitty Vs Uncle Murray by Nick Bruel.

Copyright © 2010 by Nick Bruel.

Published in 2010 by Roaring Brook Press

All rights reserved. This work is protected under copyright laws and reproduction is strictly prohibited. Permission to reproduce the material in any manner or medium must be secured from the Publisher.

Editorial Reviews

The style gives the book a fast pace and adds to the comedic atmosphere. However, it's Uncle Murray's good-natured bumbling against Bad Kitty's cranky craziness that will get the giggles going.” —School Library Journal

“It's Bad Kitty's unapologetic, curmudgeon nature that delivers the laugh-out-loud funny.” —Publishers Weekly

“Bruel's fast-paced humor is just right for the beginning chapter book set . . . A frenzied fusion of fiction and nonfiction with plenty of appeal for young readers.” —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

This hilarious cartoon-style book tells the story of Uncle Murray who has been put in charge of Bad Kitty and Puppy while their people are gone for a week. Uncle Murray, a goofy guy, gets picked on by not only Bad Kitty, but all the cats in the neighborhood. The tale contrasts his fond relationship with Puppy and his intimidation by Bad Kitty. This chapter book with black and white illustrations highlights Uncle Murray's dilemma. Interspersed with pages of fun facts about cats and ending with an appendix about phobias, this book is fun for not only young readers, but readers of all ages. With a style full of exaggeration, Bruel engages the reader and sets up an adventure that ends with a surprise for Bad Kitty. Reviewer: Donna Ashcraft

Children's Literature - Donna Ashcraft

Gr 2–4—The cantankerous cat is back, and her claws are out in this picture-laden chapter book. Uncle Murray, who has appeared in previous books to give his "Fun Facts" about cats, is here to "pet sit" Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy. The feline is not happy with this arrangement and gives Uncle Murray a horrible time, skittishly jumping out at him when he least expects it. When Murray pulls out the dreaded vacuum cleaner, Bad Kitty bolts out the door and into the street. By the end of the pet-sitting arrangement, a ragged, dirty, glazed Murray keeps repeating wistfully, "fish don't bite or scream or chase you around the house…." Different fonts and huge scrawling words appear throughout, and the black-and-white cartoons on every page often show Bad Kitty and Murray with exaggerated gestures. The style gives the book a fast pace and adds to the comedic atmosphere. However, it's Uncle Murray's good-natured bumbling against Bad Kitty's cranky craziness that will get the giggles going.—Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT

School Library Journal

Waking from a dream of Pussycat Paradise, Bad Kitty learns her humans are going on a trip. Of course, they'll bring her a surprise on their return. In the meantime, Uncle Murray will stay with Bad Kitty and Puppy. Puppy droolingly snuggles up to Uncle Murray, but in Bad Kitty's overactive imagination Uncle Murray is a cat-eating ogre. She tries hiding from him, but he "finds her" every time (and she scares the bejesus out of him each time she spazzes). Bad Kitty finally escapes for a chase around the neighborhood. When it ends back at home, Uncle Murray's had enough! Détente is achieved, and as usual Bad Kitty's surprise on her people's return is anything but a reward. Bruel's third chapter-book–length Bad Kitty tale includes more pussycat hijinks and googly-eyed kitty freak-outs. Uncle Murray's questions about cat fears are answered with actual facts, and a list of phobias follows in an appendix. A few lapses in the frenetic pace won't keep fans from enjoying this and looking forward to the promised sequel. (Graphic hybrid fiction. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews