Watch out! Here comes Bad Kitty

Perfect Picture Book Friday

One of my students came bounding into the classroom the other day BEGGING me to read his new book.  I took one look and thought, "Oh no, it's one of those goofy, over-commercialized books, with nothing substantial." It was probably the big bites in the book that made me think that. But I didn't want to hurt his feelings so I said, "Sure, it looks fun!"

Turns out this book is GREAT fun.

Introducing .........          
                                

Bad Kitty: The Cat-Nipped Edition

Written and Illustrated by Nick Bruel  

Roaring Brook Press, 2005

Fiction, Ages 3 to 7

Themes: Alphabet, Cats, Food, Behaviour

Opening: She used to be a good kitty, until one day ... Oh Dear! We're all out of food for the Kitty!

Synopsis: Good Kitty turns into a very Bad Kitty when her owners run out of cat food. Her naughty behaviour is SO outrageous you can't help but laugh. Especially when Bad Kitty realizes her mistake. Now she must make amends, but can she turn her behaviour around? And will it work?

Why I Like This Book: It's silly, funny, and original. It's the best alphabet book I've seen in a long while. It reviews the alphabet not once, not twice, but FOUR times. Even so, the pace moves quickly, as it bounces through unlikely food choices and crazy kitty behaviour.

Resources:
1. This page has 3 language art activites (ie., scramblers and word searchers) and a little drawing activity.

2. A Bad Kitty doll you can buy.                                                       

Click on the Pic

3. Cool cat photos and games on the National Geographic Site for Kids

4. You could use it as a spring board and write your own book about "Bad Puppy", "Bad Froggy", etc.

5. OR your own alphabet book.

6. Mrs. T's First Grade Class has a charming art lesson.

7. Here's another cool cat art project from Deep Space Sparkle.

Check Susanna Hill's blog for some more fabulous picture books!