Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young domestic cat doesn't understand why everything seems to be topsy-turvy in this picture book that spotlights a fun word. Alycat, a pink dress--wearing, white-furred feline, wakes up on a very "cattywampus Wednesday" and finds that her family is having dinner for breakfast. When she gets on the school bus, she realizes that instead of her house being the first stop as usual, the vehicle is already full. At school, her locker combination only works if she puts it in backward; her classes are opposite their normal order; and her friend Luna is praised for spelling Louisiana starting with the last A. After a puzzling day, Alycat goes to bed, and the next morning, she is relieved to discover that her cattywampus Wednesday was just a dream. Readers familiar with cattywampus will find this engaging feline spin on the word amusing. For others, the introduction of the term, defined in the end pages ("Askew, kitty-cornered, abnormal"), may offer a new way of looking at confusing days. Sweet cat characters in Civati's bright cartoon style will appeal to young readers. But the density of Bourque's text and the sprinkling of complex vocabulary words (beignets, bewildered) may make this a better choice for the read-aloud crowd or strong, independent readers. Adults can utilize the story as a conversation starter for how to deal with situations that feel out of whack. Bourque's list of what to do on a cattywampus day is full of giggleworthy cat puns. A silly but useful, clever, and cheerfully illustrated feline tale. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
