How to Draw a Happy Cat

by Ethan T. Berlin, Jimbo Matison (Illustrator)

Overview

A "How to Draw" lesson spins hilariously out of control when Cat just won't stay happy! This relatable madcap read-aloud is immense fun, and perfect for fans of Dragons Love Tacos.

Drawing a happy cat seems like such an easy thing to do. Just follow the instructions in this book! Wait a minute . . . why doesn't Cat look happy? We gave her a stuffy and a cool t-shirt! Uh-oh! Turns out drawing a happy cat is harder than it looks. Now it's the reader's job to find out why Cat isn't staying happy AND draw everything she wants! (That might include skateboards, friends, and yes—even a pizza-flinging catapult.) This clever, often tender, laugh-out-loud picture book breaks the fourth wall in charming ways; will have kids asking for repeat reads; and will definitely have parents nodding knowingly at the escalating cycle of demands. Can you draw a happy cat?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781662640049
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	10/04/2022
Series:	How to Draw...
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	11.44(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD480L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Ethan T. Berlin is an Emmy Award-nominated television comedy writer and a Junior Library Guild selected picture-book author. His numerous picture books have been called “hilarious,” and “giggleworthy” by Kirkus Reviews and “recommended for all libraries” by the School Library Journal. Ethan’s TV credits include Billy On the Street, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, and IFC’s Bunk. When he’s not writing his own funny stuff, Ethan teaches comedy writing at NYU and Stony Brook University.

Jimbo Matison is a self-professed creativity addict and idea maven. He has written, directed, designed, and produced comedy shows, TV commercials, and video content and has worked on a variety of creative projects for everyone from Dreamworks TV and Starbucks to Colossal Pictures and Mondo Media. He is an official Webby Awards judge and is just a lot of fun. He has published two books, one other picture book.

Editorial Reviews

Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Master List

“What you’d get if you combined Ed Emberley with If You Give A Mouse A Cookie….. The cat...is adorable, and I find the idea of a How To Draw book that’s ideal for reading aloud to be a very fascinating notion. Keep this one on your radar.” —Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal

“Fun, exuberant …. A satisfying mission to find happiness and fun; mission accomplished.” —Kirkus Reviews

A BEST BOOK OF 2022: "This book begs to be read aloud as the narrator involves the listener and this will surely bring chuckles throughout."—Meridian Magazine

"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....has all the makings of a story hour project that will have kids cracking up and chaos ensuing. Give it a try."—Chance Lee Joyner, School Library Journal

"Love the narrator engaging the reader to try to help cheer up the cat! So fun to read aloud!"—Reading Power Gear

"This imaginative, creative, read-out-loud picture book is hilarious. Kids will love the fun vibe and parents will know the book is a winner after it is requested to be read again and again. The illustrations are fantastic and there are ample opportunities for interaction as kids are instructed how to draw different objects that may make an unhappy kitty contented. The author leaves a pathway for a sequel at the end of the book with the statement: "But now Chicken is sad." Bring it on...kid's will love to hear more I'm sure!” —Marilyn Panton, Storywraps

"If you're looking for a fun drawing book, this is it!…. absolutely perfect for K-2 and would be so much fun to use as part of a drawing lesson…..will surely appeal to kids of all ages.” —Barbara Leyne, Grade Onederful

"What a silly, fun and educational book. I simply adore how the author and illustrator built in simple drawing lessons into a story about friends, fun and of a course a pizza catapult!! This book is sure to keep kids from about 4 - 10 ( likely moms & dads too!!) busy for hours. And do I smell a sequel? How to Draw a Happy Chicken? YES please!!” —Kelly Baquerizo, reviewer

From the Publisher

2022-06-27
After an unseen narrator offers instructions for how to draw a cat, an action-packed quest for happiness ensues.

Clear, step-by-step instructions using shapes like a rectangle for a face and triangles for ears quickly assemble this story’s protagonist—a yellow cat with pink ears who stands against an empty backdrop with a frown. “Hmm, she doesn’t look very happy. What do you think she wants?” the narrator asks. The narrator addresses the problem by offering material solutions, such as clothes, a stuffed animal, and a skateboard. Though the feline initially looks excited, she then frowns once more. The narrator suggests friendship in the form of round-headed stick figures, which the narrator teaches readers to draw, but this is less a journey about the search for happiness and more a spirited romp; each page turn leads to a new problem, with the narrator providing instructions for drawing the next solution. A skate ramp launches the cat and her pals into the air, and a red plane saves them from a free fall. A pizza catapult takes things a bit too far yet will delight readers with just the right combination of humor and action. The word happy is bolded blue throughout, and other phrases are bolded in different colors to distinguish meaning. While this fun, exuberant book focuses on adventure, a light message about creating positive solutions could be gleaned. The narrator gives in to the cat’s tantrum at one point—a moment that caregivers may not appreciate but that is nevertheless realistic. Even though the cat is a flat character, it is easy to become invested in her happiness. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A satisfying mission to find happiness and fun; mission accomplished. (Picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews