Frank and the Bad Surprise

March 1, 2022
Grades 1-3 Everything was going great for Frank, a tuxedo cat; he had toys, snacks, and plenty of peaceful naps. But then his humans bring home a corgi puppy and his orderly existence is plunged into chaos. Feeling fed up and underappreciated, Frank types a few disgruntled letters to his humans (to no avail) and leaves in search of a better home. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, leading Frank to see his humans and the puppy in more loving light. Cute and hilarious, this early chapter book is just right for the Mercy Watson and Doggo and Pupper crowd. Lots of white space, repeated vocabulary, and humorous spot and full-page illustrations create a welcoming reading environment for youngsters. The fact that Frank's humans are a mixed-race gay couple only boosts this book's value.

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April 15, 2022
Frank, a tuxedo cat, lives the good life until a new addition enters the fold. When his humans bring home a box--usually a fun thing to climb inside--Frank is horrified to find a corgi puppy. Puppies are not conducive to the good life, so Frank mails a letter to his humans urging them to take the dog back. They don't oblige, and when the puppy breaks a cardinal rule--she awakens Frank from a nap--Frank swats her (just a little swat) and is placed in his cage. How could his humans do that? When a second letter goes ignored, Frank runs away. But life outside doesn't turn out exactly how it looked from the window. Other humans don't want a cat...and it rains...and a bag of garbage hits Frank, so he returns home. When the puppy turns out to be instrumental in Frank's getting back inside and the humans make some accommodations, Frank changes his opinion of his new situation. Brockenbrough's appealing early chapter book features simple declarative sentences with lots of repetition and cat-centered humor. Lau's digitally manipulated, painted illustrations showing a slobbery corgi, an expressive cat, and two brown-skinned humans convey both Frank's moods and the gentle humor. A series opener that will delight cat AND dog fans. (Fiction. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2022
"This was not fair. But it was the way of the world. Just when you think you've got it good, someone brings home a puppy." Narrator Frank, the highly contented and stuck-in-his-ways cat who narrates this brief early chapter book, lives the "good life" with his two loving male humans. Then their family of three expands: a cute, Corgi-like puppy appears and, to Frank's great annoyance, makes herself right at home -- even going so far as to ruin naptime. After landing in "jail" (his crate) due to an angry claw-swipe, the indignant feline attempts to use his words. He types out and mails a note to the humans, but before they even read it, they release him with the admonition: "You must be nice to the puppy." In response, Frank composes another note -- of farewell -- and sneaks out the door in search of a place where he'll be appreciated. The book features seven short chapters with easy-to-read sentences that convey highly relatable, often over-the-top feelings. The accessible text is well supported by Lau's personality-filled illustrations, a mix of full pages and spot art. With the narrative being completely from Frank's wounded perspective, the illustrations display the actions and reactions of every character: the protagonist's emotional highs and lows, the puppy's extreme enthusiasm, the humans' unconditional love (not to mention their chic home decor). Elissa Gershowitz

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

January 1, 2022
"This was not fair. But it was the way of the world. Just when you think you've got it good, someone brings home a puppy." Narrator Frank, the highly contented and stuck-in-his-ways cat who narrates this brief early chapter book, lives the "good life" with his two loving male humans. Then their family of three expands: a cute, Corgi-like puppy appears and, to Frank's great annoyance, makes herself right at home -- even going so far as to ruin naptime. After landing in "jail" (his crate) due to an angry claw-swipe, the indignant feline attempts to use his words. He types out and mails a note to the humans, but before they even read it, they release him with the admonition: "You must be nice to the puppy." In response, Frank composes another note -- of farewell -- and sneaks out the door in search of a place where he'll be appreciated. The book features seven short chapters with easy-to-read sentences that convey highly relatable, often over-the-top feelings. The accessible text is well supported by Lau's personality-filled illustrations, a mix of full pages and spot art. With the narrative being completely from Frank's wounded perspective, the illustrations display the actions and reactions of every character: the protagonist's emotional highs and lows, the puppy's extreme enthusiasm, the humans' unconditional love (not to mention their chic home decor).

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