What Will Fat Cat Sit On?

Starred review from September 10, 2007
Fat Cat is ready to take a seat, and all the other animals firmly believe it's not a matter of “what” but rather “whom” he will choose for his resting place. Solidarity quickly breaks down—“Sit on the Pig! Sit on the Pig!” shrieks Chicken in full Furies-like mode—until Mouse gingerly broaches an alternative: “Perhaps he could sit on the chair?” Sighs of relief all around—until the animals realize it's Fat Cat's lunchtime. Thomas, in a rollicking and highly promising debut, makes this book a laugh-out-loud pas de deux between Dick-and-Jane-get-stylish typography (which goes by the evocative names of Eatwell Chubby and Chaloops) and the supremely silly visual evocation of high anxiety. Eschewing anything that smacks of a setting (except for the comfy chair to which Fat Cat is directed) she renders her barnyard characters in super-saturated colors and thick, bold outlines. Mood swings generally have a bad name these days, but Thomas makes them a hoot. Ages 3-5.

December 1, 2007
PreS-KObserving the wide Cheshire grin from the front cover, readers are soon made aware that Fat Cat is getting ready to sit down. It takes only one page for them to realize that what is to come is utmost absurditywill Fat Cat sit on a cow, a chicken, or a pig? Finally, mouse comes up with a grand idea to solve the current problem. But waitnow it is lunchtime! What will Fat Cat eat? This book could be classified as an easy reader for those who are just beginning to recognize words that sound alike and are repeated through the text, because picture clues are abundant. Yet toddlers can equally enjoy the story because of the simple yet direct question posed in the title. The cartoon illustrations are bright, basic, and expressive, with a bold outline for each character, allowing the pages to be seen by a group at storytime. The well-paced, laugh-out-loud humor ensures that this story can be enjoyed again and again.Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

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