Review by Booklist Review
Containing short words in big type and with one line of text per spread, this will be a big hit with burgeoning readers. The setting is an ordinary house where two cheerful, mischievous red-headed siblings live with a chubby feline. They are decidedly oblivious to the hapless kitty's responses to their idea of play. First the girl enters and plucks the napping cat off the back of the sofa: Big Cat can hug. / Big Cat can fly. The cartoon illustrations nearly burst off the pages and clearly define the action, while an omniscient voice narrates, using plenty of repetition. Big Cat's expressive, googly eyes communicate his feelings, such as when, finally left alone by the girl, the boy enters the room: Big Cat can see. Uh-oh. Big Cat must go through a new set of paces with him. While adults may want to take the opportunity to talk with children about pet care, this pair clearly loves their kitty. In a quiet moment, the three are seen cuddling, and Big Cat looks sleepily contented.--McDermott, Jeanne Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Big Cat "can do" many things, like dance, fly, and run away from the children who seem bent on playing with him like he's a favorite toy. The vocabulary is simple-each spread includes the statement "a Big Cat can" plus a different sight word, creating a solid basic reader. The cartoon drawings offer kids a different impression-and therein lies the humor. They see a very fat cat who is dressed up and overly handled but who seems resigned to his miserable fate. The digital artwork is colorful and fun. VERDICT A lively addition to easy reader collections.-Heather Massa, East Rockaway Public Library, NY © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The patient and long-suffering orange tabby Big Cat is an ideal companion for beginning readers. The opening, wordless pages will win new readers over with the charming expressions of this whiskered cartoon feline. The story is told mostly in pictures with just a change in the ending of the single sentence "Big Cat can...." On the verso page at the story's beginning, Big Cat sleeps contentedly while a pigtailed girl peers over from behind the couch. Subsequent spreads show her increasingly rough handling of the family pet. Maybe Big Cat can hug, fly, and dance, but it is clear from the illustrations that the cat is definitely not having fun, even though the text asserts that "Big Cat can be fun." The kitty is downright relieved when she finally says, "Big Cat can sit," with a pat on the head. When a red-haired boy, presumably her brother, shows up, Big Cat runs, only to be caught and clothed in hat, wig, dress, and heels, to the delight of both children. In real life, most cats would claw, scratch, or hide, but Big Cat ruefully allows these indignities. The simple subject-predicate sentence pattern will soon be easily recognized by the youngest beginning readers, offering near-instant reading gratification. Big Cat's expressive antics offer success for children just starting their reading journeys. (Early reader. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
