Here Comes the Tooth Fairy Cat by Deborah Underwood

Cat has lost a tooth!  Cat wants to meet Tooth Fairy.  Cat tries to trick the Tooth Fairy which does not turn out well.  The Tooth Fairy leaves a note asking Cat to help make some deliveries with the help of Mouse.  Cat and Mouse work together to make the deliveries.  Cat learns a valuable lesson about "tricky" fairies.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

I'm Going to Catch My Tail by Jimbo Matison

Cat wakes up ready for a mission:  to catch his tail.  As cat works hard to catch his tail, tail works hard to avoid being caught.  Simple, fun, silly text and illustrations, which somewhat reminded me of Jan Thomas books, will probably leave little ones with giggles.  Funny ending even left me with a chuckle.

Text:  3 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf, and Grandma by Diane and Christyan Fox

Cat begins reading a very inquisitive Dog about Little Red Riding Hood.  Dog is full of questions.  Is Little Red a superhero?  She wears a cape so she must be a superhero, right?  Does she zap the wolf with a kindness ray?  Is Grandma still in the closet?  Hilarious twist on a familiar fairy tale that even older elementary students will enjoy, and probably "get the humor" better than the younger students.  Great addition to fairy tale study.

To view the trailer of this book click HERE!

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Dog vs. Cat by Chris Gall

Mr. and Mrs. Button have decided to buy a pet....unfortunately neither of them knows that OTHER one is doing so.  Mr. Button comes home with a dog and the same day Mrs. Button comes home with a cat.  Since the Button's only have one room for the new pets, they must share.  Each animal arranges their side of the room.  It is quickly apparent that these two pets are quite opposite.  Dog and Cat spend lots of time trying to make the other one leave.  There is no compromise and getting along with these two pets....UNTIL a new arrival appears at the Button house.  Funny book with a surprise ending.  A closer look at the illustrations, including the end pages, will provide kids and adults with lots of laughs!

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (Spend time on the endpages too!!)
Text:  5 Buckeye leaves

Naughty Kitty! by Adam Stower

Lily has a problem with her pet.  Every time she leaves Kitty alone, catastrophe arrives.  Lily can not seem to figure out how this sweet little kitty could cause so many problems.  Lily knows mom is not going to be happy but what can she do?  Then a bad doggy arrives from next door.  Kitty is able to save the day and Lily realizes just *maybe* Kitty is not as bad as she thought…..

Hilarious follow up to Silly Doggy by Stower.  Lots of drawing conclusions that younger children may not be able to make without some help.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin and James Dean

Pete the Cat is back and ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas.  I will admit I was a little skeptical about another Pete the Cat book.  And I will also admit that it is probably my most FAVORITE Pete the Cat book!  I love it!  I can't wait to see my kids bopping and grooving to this one!  How does Pete end up standing in for Santa?  Santa is sick and  calls upon Pete to take over for him.  Using the reindeer to help pull his mini bus, Pete takes off on this very important adventure to make sure all the kiddos will be surprised with gifts Christmas morning.  A great fun book for all ages.  This one will be a new holiday favorite for many families!

To see the book trailer (and groove with Pete) click HERE!

Text:  5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Dog In Charge by K.L. Going

When the humans leave the house, Dog is left in charge of the 5 cats.  Dog's plans are simple:  sit and stay. The cats have other plans!  Dog spends the entire time hunting hiding cats and cleaning up after the bad cats.  Dog is worried when the humans come home, he will no longer be a favorite.  Kids will love the antics of the cats as well as the dogs reaction to the troublesome cats.  Fun book written in an interesting style - a touch of graphic novel within a picture book.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves
Endpages:  5 Buckeye leaves - Awesome!  Big points for silly faces on dog by the 4 year old here!

Secret Agent Splat by Rob Scotton

Splat is back and this time he must use his detective skills to investigate. A number of ducks are being taken and returned with missing beaks. Splat begins his investigation by asking his family about the crime. This turns up no useable clues except the name "Mr. Nobody". Splat decides this is a job for Secret Agent Splat. He devises an elaborate plan and is shocked by what he uncovers. Spike is the duck thief....or is he?

To view a book trailer of Secret Agent Splat click HERE!!

Pumpkin Cat by Anne Mortimer

Cat and Mouse are working together in the garden. Together the two friends go thru each step together as they try to grow a perfect pumpkin. From planting to watering, the two friends take good care of their plant and wait anxiously for the pumpkin.
Very cute and informative! Early readers will enjoy reading this book on their own.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Splish, Splash, Splat! by Rob Scotton

Oh no! Splat wakes up to the news that he has a playdate with Spike! Spike will break all his toys and eat all the candy fish. Can this day get any worse? Yes, it can, and DOES get worse! Today at Cat School Splat's class is learning to swim! Splat does not like swimming because it is "horrible, scary, and wet"! But what Splat does not expect is to learn something he and Spike have in common!!

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves - probably my favorite Splat book
Illustrations - 4 Buckeye leaves

To visit Splat the Cat's own webpage, cut and paste:
http://web.mac.com/rscotton/www.splat_the-cat.com/Home_of_Splat.html

Big Cat, Small Cat

Big Cat, Small Cat by Ami Rubinger was actually published in 2008 but I found it because of her book I Dream Of An Elephant. Not a cat person here but this book is great for little ones. Ami really has little ones figured out. Each page is a rhyme with missing word that rhymes with one of the other lines. All the illustrations coincide with the words as well. For example, "This cat is dirty. This cat is clean. This cat is nice. This cat is..." Missing word MEAN fits the rhyme both in definition as well as the rhyme aspect. Of course I tried this out tonight post-dinner with the soon to be 3 year old. He did well and was able to add each appropriate word with the exception of about 3. I plan to try this book out on Kindergarten next rotation.

Note: Ami Rubinger is to have another book out 3/29/2011 - Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10

Story: 4.5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (really great pics to portray the proper words)