Bad Kitty School Daze

November 5, 2012
Bad Kitty (and her attitude) are back in her sixth illustrated chapter book, and roughhousing has earned both her and Puppy a trip to Diabla Von Gloom's School for Wayward Pets. Throughout, Bruel has fun defying readers' expectations: despite the teacher's name (and that the school resembles a haunted mansion), she's patient and kind, believing there is no such thing as "bad" pets. And despite Bad Kitty's reputation, she might be right. Chapters take readers through school day activities that range from arts and crafts time (while Puppy is a dog of few words, it turns out he's a savant when it comes to art and music) to show and tell (Bad Kitty's contribution: a hairball). Additional comedy comes from two classmates, an ill-mannered rabbit who believes he's a "mutant supervillain," and a temperamental cat-hating bulldog, who has decided that Bad Kitty is actually a cow (much to the cat's relief). Facts about cat-dog interactionâcourtesy of a familiar face, Uncle Murrayâare a bonus, but as usual it's Bad Kitty's personality that rules the day. Ages 7â10. Agent: Jennie Dunham, Dunham Literary.

November 1, 2012
Can Diabla von Gloom's School for Wayward Pets take the "bad" out of Bad Kitty? When Baby gets hurt during a Bad Kitty/Poor Puppy screaming-hissing-howling chase, Bad Kitty's owners send the two pets to school. Much to Kitty's chagrin, her owner sends her off with a complete set of Love Love Angel Kitten (think: Hello Kitty on happy pills) accessories (like a backpack, ruler, bowling ball, cinder block and a full spectrum of pink crayons). Petunia, a cat-hating bulldog, and Dr. Lagomorph, "a diabolical mutant supervillain" (a bunny in a helmet made from a plastic bottle), fill out Kitty and Puppy's class. With their sweet, understanding teacher, Miss Dee, the students experience circle time (during which Petunia mistakes Kitty for a cow), arts and crafts, show and tell (Bad Kitty shows off her hairball talents) and storytime. Miss Dee encourages Bad Kitty, but will it be enough to erase her bad attitude? Bruel's sixth Bad Kitty chapter book is, as its predecessors, laid out in a mix of black-and-white panels, full-bleed illustrations and text. It offers as much dry, sly (and over-the-top) humor as it does attitude and is peppered with Uncle Murray's chapters of real information, this time centered on cat/dog interaction. Bad Kitty's Love Love Angel Kitten-inspired dream of zombie-cuteness (when she drifts off during storytime) is not to be missed. Bad Kitty's legions of fans will not be disappointed. (Graphic hybrid fiction. 8-12)

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December 15, 2012
Grades 2-4 In this latest installment in Bruel's successful series, Kitty's behavior is so bad that her owner has decided obedience school is necessary. Accompanied by Puppy, who needs to learn to control his drool, Kitty spends the day with a delightful teacher who knows when to affirm and when to teach; a bulldog named Petunia, who is trying to overcome her hatred of felines; and a pet bunny who believes he is Dr. Lagomorph, out to conquer the world. With the usual zany illustrations and hilarious asides, this title may just be the best so far.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2013
In this latest mildly amusing Bad Kitty adventure, Kitty and Puppy reluctantly attend obedience school. Through typical classroom activities, the hilariously naughty classmates work out their issues and Kitty struggles to change. The spunky animal characters breathe all of the life into this otherwise ordinary story, and the black-and-white cartoons develop and maintain the humor.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)