FICTION

How to Draw a Happy Cat

by Ethan T Berlin (text) & illus. by Jimbo Matison
Astra/Hippo Park. Oct. 2022. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781662640049.
COPY ISBN
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.
Reviewed by Chance Lee Joyner , Oct 01, 2022

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