Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--4--The first two books in Colton's delightful "Jasper & Scruff" series are thoughtful and engaging. The story follows a duo who have forged an unlikely friendship that surpasses their differences and brings out the best of their very different personalities. In The Cool Cat Club, Jasper is on a mission to join the most elite cat club in town, The Sophistocats. The club acknowledges his eagerness and sends him an invitation to host a grand feast for them. In the midst of his frantic planning and decorating, he encounters Scruff, whose carefree spirit and playful nature distracts and derails the party. By the end of the first book, Jasper discovers where he truly belongs. In the second installment, The Treasure Hunt, Jasper and Scruff embark on an adventure to find a missing golden bone belonging to the infamous pirate Black Whiskers. Colton's writing is funny and lighthearted, but the vocabulary in the stories is challenging and the books are not broken up by chapter, which could turn away a reluctant reader. The illustrations, rendered in crayon and colored pencil, are wonderful and immersive. VERDICT This heartwarming series will be enjoyed by a more advanced young audience. Recommended purchase where other playful odd couple books circulate.--Davia Schmidt, Queens Public Library, NY
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