A Bad Kitty Christmas

Review

Common Sense Media says

Funny Bad Kitty mayhem leads to holiday's true meaning.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is the seventh book in the Bad Kitty series. Nick Bruel sticks to the formula, with engaging verse and clever wordplay as Kitty blasts through the decked halls of her house and three alphabets on Christmas Eve. But here there's also a warm message about the true meaning of Christmas.

  • Educational value3
    Kitty tears through three different alphabets, with lots of interesting vocabulary "Vixen was vexed/ The wreath looked just wretched") and clever rhymes: "Our yuletide looked yucky/ my zeal had been zapped/ When I had found kitty/ In the shreds where she napped."
  • Positive messages3
    A kind old woman brings Kitty to her apartment and tells her all about the friends and family whose photos hang on her tiny Christmas tree: "I may not have jewels/ or a car or a yacht/ But I still have my memories,/ and that's quite a lot." She also stresses the true meaning of Christmas: "It's not about presents/ all over the place. It's not about food/ or stuffing your face./ Like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa,/ and Eid, you see,/ Christmas is all about ... FAMILY." Kitty's owner, the narrator, explains that "Some friends are like family,/and she became kin."
  • Positive role models3
    The old woman is kind to take Kitty in and willing to let her go when Puppy tracks her down. Kitty's owner, the dad narrator (who is mainly offscreen), scolds Kitty for messing up but clearly loves and cares about his beloved pet. He generously invites the old woman to stay for a snack when she returns Kitty on Christmas Eve night, and even to move in.
  • Violence & scariness1
    Kitty tackles the Christmas tree, upends the eggnog, tears up the gifts, wrapping and ribbons, "mauls the manger," "ousts the ornaments," and crashes into trashcans. 
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
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What's the story?

Prone-to-mayhem Bad Kitty wrecks Christmas at her house, gets scolded, then hightails it out of the family's car window. Wandering around the city where she lands, she's picked up by an old lady who takes her home, feeds her, and tells her that family is what Christmas is all about. Puppy tracks Kitty to the old woman's apartment and then the three of them return to Kitty's home, where the old woman becomes part of the family.

Is it any good?

 

Fans of the series will enjoy a new installment (last one was Poor Puppy, 2007). But even readers unfamiliar with the franchise will find this this wacky and heartwarming story a wonderful holiday selection. In its own funny way, it accomplishes what all Christmas stories attempt: to show a deeper meaning of Christmas beyond all the bustle, decorations, and presents.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how we love our pets, even when they behave badly. The same goes for family members, right?

  • Bad Kitty tears up the presents because she's greedy and wants more -- all the things and animals on her wish list. Do you have a Christmas list? Do you ever feel like you're being greedy?

  • The old woman is alone on Christmas Eve, but she isn't sad because she has happy memories of friends and family. What are some of your happiest memories?

  • This is the seventh book in the series. Have you read any of the others?  How does this one compare?

This review was written by Regan McMahon
Adult
December 1, 2011
AGE
9
 
MRS.Popping
i think it is a cool book thank you for bringing this book thank you
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Helped me decide (5) | Had useful details (6) | Read my mind (6)
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Adult
December 19, 2011
AGE
8
 
Good, But Beware
The message is good and engaging. It does share a homosexual relationship that parents should be aware of, especially if they are not ready to expose a younger child to an alternative lifestyle.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (5) | Had useful details (6) | Read my mind (4)
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This review was written by Regan McMahon
Author:Nick Bruel
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Holiday
Publisher:Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:September 13, 2011
Number of pages:40
Hardcover price:$15.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):4 - 17
Read aloud:8
Read alone:8
This review was written by Regan McMahon
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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