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PICTURE BOOKS
Berlin, Ethan T.

How to Draw a Happy Cat

40 pp. | Astra/Hippo Park | October, 2022 | Trade ISBN 978-1-66264-004-9 $18.99 | Ebook ISBN 978-1-66264-005-6 $11.99
(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jimbo Matison. 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.
Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

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