How to Draw a Happy Cat

July 15, 2022
After an unseen narrator offers instructions for how to draw a cat, an action-packed quest for happiness ensues. Clear, step-by-step instructions using shapes like a rectangle for a face and triangles for ears quickly assemble this story's protagonist--a yellow cat with pink ears who stands against an empty backdrop with a frown. "Hmm, she doesn't look very happy. What do you think she wants?" the narrator asks. The narrator addresses the problem by offering material solutions, such as clothes, a stuffed animal, and a skateboard. Though the feline initially looks excited, she then frowns once more. The narrator suggests friendship in the form of round-headed stick figures, which the narrator teaches readers to draw, but this is less a journey about the search for happiness and more a spirited romp; each page turn leads to a new problem, with the narrator providing instructions for drawing the next solution. A skate ramp launches the cat and her pals into the air, and a red plane saves them from a free fall. A pizza catapult takes things a bit too far yet will delight readers with just the right combination of humor and action. The word happy is bolded blue throughout, and other phrases are bolded in different colors to distinguish meaning. While this fun, exuberant book focuses on adventure, a light message about creating positive solutions could be gleaned. The narrator gives in to the cat's tantrum at one point--a moment that caregivers may not appreciate but that is nevertheless realistic. Even though the cat is a flat character, it is easy to become invested in her happiness. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A satisfying mission to find happiness and fun; mission accomplished. (Picture book. 4-6)

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October 1, 2022

K-Gr 2-This book blends beginner "how to draw" instruction with a manic mash-up of Dav Pilkey's "How 2 Draw" Dog Man segments and Laura Numeroff's "If You Give a" series. Basically, readers are shown how to draw a happy cat in five easy steps. But the cat isn't happy for long. To keep the cat happy, she must be drawn friends, food, and fun. Then, T-shirts, pizza, skateboard ramps, airplanes, and more are sketched in to keep her entertained. Each new element is introduced in a handful of steps for readers to replicate. Text is conversational and uses varied font sizes, layouts, and colors for emphasis. The actual artwork sits in the sweet spot between appearing accessible for children and, while actually being childlike, clearly drawn by a professional. It's silly, but solid. VERDICT This has all the makings of a story hour project that will have kids cracking up and chaos ensuing. Give it a try.-Chance Lee Joyner

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 17, 2022
For every problem, there’s a solution, Berlin (I Am Not a Dog Toy) and Matison (I’m Going to Catch My Tail!) show in this winning tribute to creativity. Here, the creators come up with increasingly elaborate ways to ensure that the digitally rendered—and inadvertently demanding—feline protagonist they’ve created is happy. At the start of what’s situated as a how-to-draw book, the narrator assures readers that Cat is “fun and easy” to sketch from rounded, black-lined rectangles, three triangles (for the ears and nose), some additional lines for whiskers and appendages, and, of course, a smile. But though Cat may be simple enough to draw, the figure is not so easy to keep contented. That smile quickly turns into a pout, and after asking readers, “What do you think she wants?” the narrator draws Cat successively goofier forms of placation—starting with a bear stuffy, “a cool t-shirt,” and a skateboarding crew, and eventually culminating with “catapulting pizza at you while you’re skateboarding on top of an airplane.” If Cat’s consistent self-centeredness is thoroughly indulged, readers should find it comically relatable—and may gain some artistic inspiration from the ingenuity that appeasing her brings forth. Ages 4–8.

November 1, 2022
What begins as a how-to drawing book amusingly escalates into a romp featuring a skateboarding cat, pizza catapult, and dance party with a dolphin. An offstage narrator addresses readers, providing simple step-by-step instructions. "Learning how to draw a happy cat is fun and easy! First, draw two rounded rectangles." Once drawn, however, it's clear that Cat is not happy. To cheer Cat up, readers are encouraged to draw some gifts and animal pals. But this leads to trouble: the crew launches their skateboards through the air and onto an airplane -- which is then irreparably damaged by catapulted pizza. "Quick, draw parachutes! And parachutes for the pizza." Berlin's kinetic tale is grounded by a dryly humorous tone. In Matison's childlike digital illustrations, a thick black outline surrounds most characters and objects, while the fills of color playfully spill slightly out of their holding lines. Subtle details, such as the unicorn on Cat's T-shirt reflecting her ever-changing emotions, add both narrative and visual interest. Lighthearted and frisky, this title will perfectly pair with LaRochelle's See the Cat (rev. 9/20) or Winstanley's How to Give Your Cat a Bath in Five Easy Steps. Patrick Gall

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2022
What begins as a how-to drawing book amusingly escalates into a romp featuring a skateboarding cat, pizza catapult, and dance party with a dolphin. An offstage narrator addresses readers, providing simple step-by-step instructions. "Learning how to draw a happy cat is fun and easy! First, draw two rounded rectangles." Once drawn, however, it's clear that Cat is not happy. To cheer Cat up, readers are encouraged to draw some gifts and animal pals. But this leads to trouble: the crew launches their skateboards through the air and onto an airplane -- which is then irreparably damaged by catapulted pizza. "Quick, draw parachutes! And parachutes for the pizza." Berlin's kinetic tale is grounded by a dryly humorous tone. In Matison's childlike digital illustrations, a thick black outline surrounds most characters and objects, while the fills of color playfully spill slightly out of their holding lines. Subtle details, such as the unicorn on Cat's T-shirt reflecting her ever-changing emotions, add both narrative and visual interest. Lighthearted and frisky, this title will perfectly pair with LaRochelle's See the Cat (rev. 9/20) or Winstanley's How to Give Your Cat a Bath in Five Easy Steps.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)