My Pet Human

June 15, 2015
“No human can pin me down. I love my freedom way too much,” explains the black cat that stars in this chapter book. The cat (who gains the name Oliver at book’s end) has a good thing going, scamming food from humans by giving them “the Look,” an irresistibly cute stare. But when a human girl moves to town and is willing to pamper the cat just the way he likes, it’s the start of a new stage in his life. Opinionated and independent, Oliver has plenty of personality, and Surovec’s simplified cartoons successfully evoke the joys of pet ownership (even when the human is the pet). Ages 6–10. Agent: Monika Verma, Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency.

May 1, 2015
Taking care of a human has its benefits, but is it better than being an unattached pussycat? A black-and-white kitty who thinks of himself as "Mr. Independent" has his life planned out. He gets great food at the Italian or the Chinese restaurants by using "the Look" on the staff; who can say no to an adorable kitty face? He avoids the animal control officer, and he spends time with his three human-owning friends: dog Ben, cat Farrah, and rat-in-a-plastic-ball George. They try to convince him having a human is a good idea, but Mr. Independent likes having no responsibilities. But when a human family moves in to an abandoned house he frequents, he goes to investigate...and smells macaroni and cheese topped with tuna. He uses the Look, and the cat-loving little human girl gives him treats and falls in love. He starts to see that, with a little training, a pet human might have its advantages. Cartoonist, picture-book author, and cat-channeler Surovec leaps into early chapter books with a cat's-eye view of life that will make a splendid introduction to longer fiction for young feline fanciers. Each page features a bit of text and an integrated black-and-white cartoon or two. This series opener is a must for young humans owned by furry masters. (Graphic/fiction hybrid. 6-10)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2015

Gr 2-4-Sweet stray cat Oliver enjoys his nomadic life about town. He has a few rules for keeping his existence carefree and happy, which include knowing where to get free food, having a good hiding spot, and keeping a few close friends. Oliver is an endearing protagonist, having learned that he can visit the Twirling Fork restaurant and give his doe-eyed "look" to anyone at the back door in order to receive a plate of free spaghetti. He enjoys visiting friends with forever homes, including Ben, a fluffy dog in a family full of kids; Farrah, a prissy kitty with a penchant for the best treats life has to offer; and George, an indeterminate gerbil or mouselike creature who is perpetually sealed in a rolling ball. Oliver is content to stay on his own in an abandoned home-especially when he needs a hiding place from the animal control truck that periodically patrols the neighborhood. When a little human and her mother move into the abandoned house, Oliver thinks he can use his "look" to score some free food without getting emotionally attached, but he is surprised when he finds himself caring for the girl. Though Oliver remains nameless for the entirety of the book, his new human friend dubs him Oliver after he develops a taste for olives. Surovec's cheerful illustrations pepper every page with hilariously endearing portraits of Oliver and the animals in his life, along with the humans in his world. Fans of James Kochalka's "Dragon Puncher" (Top Shelf) books will find My Pet Human similarly entertaining and slightly more challenging, and readers of Tom Watson's "Stick Dog" (HarperCollins) will find a great read-alike. VERDICT A sweet story for animal lovers and emergent readers, too.-Amy M. Laughlin, Darien Library, CT

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015
Grades 2-4 Picture-book author Surovec brings her cat-fueled stories to the middle-grade set in this illustrated chapter book. The narrator, a sneaky tuxedo cat, is proud of being a loner. He can go wherever he wants and no humans will squash (that is, hug) him too hard. But when a girl and her mom move into the old, abandoned house he frequents, and the girl starts giving him tasty tuna and olives, he finds himself attached to his new pet. Soon he sets out to train her and her mother, and when his pet human starts looking lonely, he recruits the help of his friend George, a rat in a plastic ball, to find a friend for her. But will his pet's new friend replace him? Surovec's bubbly black-and-white cartoon illustrations, composed of only minimal thick lines and flat patches of black, are an excellent companion to the lighthearted text and perfectly capture aloof-cat behavior. Cat-loving kids, particularly emerging readers, will get a kick out of the feline narrator, as well as the heartening story of friendship.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)