A Bad Kitty Christmas

September 26, 2011
“ ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the city/ Not a creature was stirring... except for Bad Kitty.” Riffing on Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” Bruel takes readers through the alphabet as his crazy-comical cat wrecks the holiday (“The Eggnog was Ended./ The Fruitcake was Flung”). After a scolding, Kitty runs away in the big city only to be rescued by a kind soul who knows a few things about Christmas spirit. Kitty’s zany antics, three romps through the alphabet, and a warm reunion make this a gift indeed for Bad Kitty fans. Ages 4–up.

September 1, 2011

Bruel continues the hilarious adventures of Bad Kitty with a "Night Before Christmas" theme in this latest entry in his successful series about the alphabet-obsessed pet.

Bad Kitty exhibits her customary bad-to-the-bone behavior as she tears through presents and decorations in alphabetical order, from ambushing an angel to zapping the narrator's zeal. But all that chaos isn't enough for the fearless feline, because she also dreams of an improbable Christmas banquet, enumerated in another alphabetical litany of hypothetical treats such as fried yak with zebra tail. After a scolding, Bad Kitty runs away from home, and as darkness falls on Christmas Eve, she is rescued by a tiny, elderly woman. The lady shares her family photos with the cat, launching another amusing alphabetical list of her extended family. Though the rhyming text is humorous, the kindly woman also makes some gentle comments about the important aspects of celebrating Christmas with family, and her kindness is repaid when Bad Kitty takes her home for Christmas. The cartoon-style illustrations and multiple-panel format will draw in reluctant readers who might resist a Christmas story, but, really, who can resist Bad Kitty, with all her funny faces and amusing antics?

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

October 1, 2011

K-Gr 3-Fans of Bad Kitty will not be surprised that she is up to no good again. Through a mash-up of odd alphabet lists and riffs on "The Night before Christmas," a litany of the feline's pranks is conveyed in bold graphic panels and uneven rhymes. Bad Kitty wants MORE for Christmas until she escapes from her family car and is rescued by a lonely old woman who teaches her that the true meaning of Christmas is "FAMILY." Puppy rescues Kitty and they both take the old lady home, where she is adopted by their owners. If madcap destruction and comic antics are dear to your Kitty fans, recommend this title. Others may want a calmer holiday.-Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
In this "Night Before Christmas" parody, Bad Kitty ruins an entire alphabet's worth of Christmas presents then runs away from home. A kindly old lady takes Kitty in and shares her holiday spirit. Once reunited with her family, Kitty returns the favor in a satisfying conclusion. Bruel slyly adapts the familiar poetic structure; Kitty's over-the-top expressions make her bad behavior even funnier.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2011
In this parody of "The Night Before Christmas," Bad Kitty escapes from her owners after ruining an entire alphabet's worth of Christmas presents and decorations ("The eggnog was ended / The fruitcake was flung / The gifts were all gutted / The holly un-hung"). A kindly old lady takes in the lost and frightened feline. Her rescuer doesn't have much, but she's willing to share her home -- and her holiday spirit -- with Kitty. Once reunited with her family, Kitty returns the favor in a satisfying conclusion. Bruel slyly adapts the familiar poetic structure; Kitty's over-the-top expressions make her bad behavior even funnier. katie bircher

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)