Cats Got Talent

Reviews / Votes

Once upon a time, Hal, Dora, and Geneva led cushy lives as pet cats. Then things turned sour with their respective owners (in Hal's case, his "despicable" curtain-tearing behavior was the source of the sourness), and they ended up as alley cats. Now Hal has an idea: they like to sing, the papers tell him that "singers earned big money," so what if.... Readers may think Barrett, with his poker-faced storytelling, is headed toward a feline version of American Idol, or at least a tearful reconciliation with the cats' former owners. But this wonderfully wacky book is full of surprises. What is essentially a Darwinian tug-of-war between cats and humans may not sound like a big laugh getter, but Barrett (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) pulls it off. His indomitable-okay, clueless-furry heroes, and hardboiled illustrations, whose retro style is a cross between those of Merrie Melodies and 1960s underground comics, reassure readers that, though the cats' caterwauling has the neighborhood up in arms, nothing bad is going to happen to them. -- Publishers Weekly * September 1, 2014 * Barrett is back with another fun story kids will love. Hal, Dora , and Geneva are three felines who lead very different lives. Hal is your typical alley cat on the prowl for his next tasty meal after being thrown out of his previous home. Dora lived in a dress shop and adored the finer things in life but had been cast out after putting off the well-heeled customers. Geneva was once owned by a movie star but finds herself on the street after her owner's career reversal. These three kitties find one another and decide to put their talents to use and "sing" for their supper. Barrett's pencil, watercolor, and ink cartoon art conveys the playfulness of the text. Ideal for a read-aloud, Cats Got Talent will appeal to those younger elementary school age children who have dreams of performing and becoming a superstar. A fun, enjoyable read.-Christopher Lassen, Brooklyn Public Library -- School Library Journal * September 10, 2014 *