From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Buddy, an older cat, welcomes three newly weaned kittens into his abode and begins to teach them the ins and outs of managing the humans in the household. He is prepared with charts and diagrams that compare cats to humans (Us: nose/ cute and powerful, Them: nose/big but feeble), a "catwalk through history," and a little lecture on the value of "purr therapy" for the modern family. He also gives instruction in "catitude," including proper tail positioning and what to do if humans forget that you are the center of their world. Anyone who has ever been owned by a cat will connect with all the behaviors described and enjoy recognizing their own pets as they laugh at Buddy's antics. The watercolor, colored-pencil, and ink illustrations are crisp and lively and add to the humor of the situations described. The book is better suited for independent reading than group sharing because of the small details and numerous asides. Buddy's instruction will be enjoyed by most cat/animal lovers.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* The tiny, wide-eyed kittens on the book’s cover and the funny title will draw readers right in. Who doesn’t love cats? Well, even if you don’t love ’em, you’ll have learned a lot about them—delightfully—after turning the last page of this clever picture book. The tiger-striped narrator is an experienced cat who is welcoming three kittens to their new home. And there’s plenty to learn. First off, he admonishes the kittens, the humans “want to make YOU happy! Now’s the time to take control.” And so it begins—the litany of catty ways that cat owners know all too well. How cats use their purrs, roll over on their backs, and give (several versions) of the patented kitty stare that means “I’m starving.” But this doesn’t just delve into the psyches of cats (and their people), though there’s plenty of that. Talbott offers enough information about a cat’s body, the history of felines, and cat cousins to raise this to the level of an information book, albeit an amusing one. Then there’s the watercolor and colored-pencil art. Funny and furious, with cats darting in circles around the spreads, it also features charts, time lines, and simple portraits of cats exhibiting feline behavior; it’s all a wonderful mélange of “catitude.” Even without the dedication, it would be obvious that Talbott has owned cats. He has taken the bad with the good and can now make even a cat devouring the Thanksgiving turkey look like fun. Grades K-2. --Ilene Cooper

Review

"Anyone who has ever been owned by a cat will connect with all the behaviors described and enjoy recognizing their own pets as they laugh at Buddy's antics. . . . Illustrations are crisp and lively and add to the humor." — School Library Journal, starred review

"Cat lovers will recognize their favorite feline attributes (as well as those they're less fond of) in this amusing 'cat'-alog. . . . Pokes fun at peoples' foibles and extols the virtues of cats. . . . Feline fanciers will lap this up and look forward to repeat servings." — Kirkus Reviews

* “Will draw readers right in. Who doesn’t love cats? Well, even if you don’t love ’em, you’ll have learned a lot about them—delightfully—after turning the last page of this clever picture book. . . . Funny and furious . . . a wonderful mélange of “catitude.” — Booklist, starred review

“The affable older-and-wiser cat is an amusing narrator, and cat lovers will happily recognize both the delights and occasional drawbacks of cat ownership. . . . The cats are capably and endearingly rendered; the big-eyed kittens in particular are sure to elicit some ‘Awws.’ . . . Sassy Buddy will sashay his way into many a kid’s heart.” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About the Author

Hudson Talbott wrote and illustrated River of Dreams and United Tweets of America, and illustrated Newbery Honor winner Show Way (by Jacqueline Woodson) and ALA Notable Book Leonardo's Horse (by Jean Fritz). He lives in New York City and Leeds, New York, in the Hudson Valley.