Bruno, the Standing Cat

by Nadine Robert, Jean Jullien (Illustrator)

Overview

Meet a silly and absurd cat who's like no cat you've ever met before, in this inventive and unusual book from the illustrator of the picture-book version of John Lennon's song "Imagine."

When a box arrives on Peter's doorstep, he opens it to find Bruno, a cat who is standing up on two legs. It is very odd. Bruno likes to chew bubble gum, play house, and skateboard--and refuses to engage in any catlike behavior. But Peter likes Bruno, and so they become friends and do everything they can think of together.

Jean Jullien (illustrator of the picture-book version of John Lennon's song "Imagine") is an emerging picture-book creator who works in a signature thick black line and bold, flat color. His quirky, subversive humor is childlike at its core, and kids will delight in his light and irreverent approach.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780525647164
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	04/16/2019
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
Lexile:	AD490L (what's this?)
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

JEAN JULLIEN is a French graphic artist living in London. His practice ranges from illustration to photography, video, costumes, installations, books, posters, and clothing to create a coherent yet eclectic body of work. Visit him on the web at jeanjullien.com and on Instagram at @jean_jullien.

Editorial Reviews

…the evergreen message is as satisfying as ever: Fitting in is soooo boring! Fans of the French illustrator Jullien will recognize his signature graphic images and his gift for infusing humor into the simplest of renderings. It's hard to look at Bruno's expressive yellow eyeballs and not laugh.

The New York Times Book Review - Jenny Rosenstrach

02/18/2019

One morning, Peter, wearing a sky blue outfit and a wide-eyed expression, hears meowing out of a box labeled “Bruno” that he finds on his doorstep. When he opens it, a cat rises up expectantly on his hind legs, face-to-face with the child. Robert (Toshi’s Little Treasures) offers not so much a story as an amusing catalogue of Bruno’s accomplishments. When Peter’s friend Pam invites him to the park, Bruno goes with them, running on his hind legs. “How did you teach your cat to do that?” Pam asks. “I didn’t teach him,” Peter says truthfully. “He could always do that.” (Bruno looks at the audience with a pleased expression.) Thickly stroked black lines by Jullien (Why the Face?) give bold clarity to his characteristic artwork. A series of images shown against brightly colored matte backgrounds is devoted to the ways Bruno defies feline expectation. He prefers bubble gum to cat food, playing house to batting yarn, and would rather give Peter a massage than scratch the furniture. Bruno’s facial expressions provide most of the laughs—they range from horror to disdain to great delight—and the standing cat’s distinctive personality makes the book well worth sitting down with. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Bruno’s facial expressions provide most of the laughs—they range from horror to disdain to great delight—and the standing cat’s distinctive personality makes the book well worth sitting down with. "
-Publishers Weekly

"This comical story upends reader expectations and is perfect for group sharing. Its one-dimensional, thick-lined illustrations are positioned on simple backgrounds, often a solid color, which allows young readers to stay focused on Bruno’s antics. . A sweet concluding scene draws this entertaining story about individuality and friendship to a close."
—Booklist


"The simple, cartoonlike illustrations, heavily outlined in black and backgrounded by saturated pastels, are as whimsical as the story. The tuxedo cat's expressions as it regards a bowl of kibble or gets down and boogies are priceless."
—Kirkus

From the Publisher

06/07/2019

PreS-Gr 2-A little boy opens his front door to find a box with the name "Bruno" written on it. Upon investigation, Peter comes face-to-face with a black-and-white cat who demonstrates some unique talents: "Gee, Bruno! You're standing!" Peter immediately appreciates the idiosyncrasies of his new pet, but it takes longer for others to understand Bruno's nonconventional charms. When Pam comes over to play, she asks, "Does Bruno like to play with balls of yarn?" Jullian's thickly outlined, droll cartoons show an unenthusiastic feline, with droopy whiskers, making a half-hearted reach for the string. Peter matter-of-factly replies, "No, but he loves to play house and serve me tea," as Bruno confidently shows off his refined tastes and hosting skills. Instead of scratching his claws, eating kibble, and hiding in his box, Bruno prefers to give back rubs, chew bubble gum, and dance with wild abandon to his favorite song. The pastel colored pages make the bold illustrations pop and match the upbeat humor. VERDICT This quirky and stylish friendship tale is a great storytime choice.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont.

School Library Journal

2019-01-15

The whimsical story of a cat not bound by stereotypical cat behavior.

Early one morning Peter hears a mewing sound. When he goes to check he finds at the door a box with "Bruno" written on it. Upon Peter's opening the box, "Bruno the cat rose up on his back legs. "Gee, Bruno! You're standing!" Peter exclaims. And so starts the story of the friendship between an accepting boy and his unique cat. Pam, Peter's friend, has many questions about Bruno: "Can Bruno catch mice?" "Does Bruno like to play with balls of yarn?" "Does Bruno scratch his claws everywhere?" Jullien's depictions of Bruno's reactions to the banality of the questions are perfect. Of course a cat that prefers standing on his hind legs also prefers chasing mice on a skateboard; playing house and serving tea; giving back rubs and chewing bubble gum—and he's an ace at catching a thrown ball. For Peter, though, the most important thing is that Bruno "is [his] friend!" The simple, cartoonlike illustrations, heavily outlined in black and backgrounded by saturated pastels, are as whimsical as the story. The tuxedo cat's expressions as it regards a bowl of kibble or gets down and boogies are priceless. Peter has olive skin and straight, black hair while Pam has brown skin and a tight, black Afro.

Originally published in French, this Canadian import should be a welcome addition to the unique-pets bookshelf. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews