Review by Booklist Review
A schedule of eating, sleeping, and litter boxing can eventually grow dull, so one day, Fuddles the cat sneaks out of the house. He soon finds, though, that real-world adventures are more challenging than he'd envisioned. After too much high living indoors (and too many pork chops), Fuddles feels as if he has lost his ability to chase prey, climb trees, and escape danger: He realized that couches were easier to climb than trees. Drifting through his Wisteria Lane-like suburban neighborhood, he grows increasingly hungry and scared until his family finds him and takes him home. In his picture-book debut, Vischer, a Disney animator, creates an appealing character in black-and-white Fuddles. The brief, repetitious sentences will read aloud well, but children will want to crowd in close to catch all of the detail and expression in the digital illustrations, which are rendered in the style of traditional pencil drawings. Fuddles' contradictory yearning for both adventure and familiar safety will strike a chord with many kids.--Medlar, Andrew Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This story about a coddled cat contains few surprises, although Vischer's illustrations are both lively and skillful. When Fuddles suddenly decides his life needs adventure, he's shocked when, for the first time, he's told no. "You're not allowed to go outside," says his owner. Undeterred, the befuddled Fuddles dreams of "scaling mountains and fighting ferocious foes," and when his chance for escape arrives, he takes it. But what awaits is a series of slapstick misadventures as Fuddles ends up plopped into a disgusting birdbath, laughed at by squirrels, chased by a dog, and hopelessly lost. Vischer (Jimmy Dabble) shows all sides of Fuddles's personality: his daring, thought-bubble fantasies (snagging a fish from a raging river or going head-to-head with a bear) contrast with the royal treatment he receives at home as well as the reality of life on the street (er, cul-du-sac). The book's message, though, runs counter to the popular wisdom of encouraging children to follow their dreams: Fuddles begins and ends the book as a pampered cat, one who has learned that staying among "friendly, familiar faces" is much better than seeking adventure. Ages 4-7. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Fuddles is a large and very pampered black-and-white tuxedo cat who yearns for adventure and the great outdoors. To prepare himself, he starts "a strict exercise regimen. (But not too strict.)" Lively cartoon illustrations digitally rendered show the lethargic feline lackadaisically tapping a ball (exercise) and eating lots of food (the not-too-strict part!). Once he does manage to sneak outside, matters deteriorate quickly: the birds and squirrels are not easy prey, the trees are not a cinch to climb, and the neighbor's dog is definitely not friendly. Chastened and lost, Fuddles is finally found by his family and gratefully lapses back into his usual routine as a spoiled house cat. Although not an unusual subject, this oversize story is full of fun with large, expressive pictures of the inimitable character as he discovers the challenges of the outdoors. Certainly the book is a candidate for a themed storytime or a bedtime read to chuckle over. Most libraries should make the acquaintance of Fuddles.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Housecat Fuddles, fat and spoiled, decides it's high time for adventure. After some shape-up preparations, Fuddles makes his escape out the front door. He finds, however, that his temperament isn't really that of a daredevil. Expressive digital illustrations with a classic cartoon appearance aptly characterize the kitty. A clever aerial-view spread shows the feline's paw-print trail, inviting readers to track his suburban journey. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A pampered, protected house cat turns outdoor adventurer when he escapes into the front yard of his residential neighborhood and encounters reality.Fat, flaccid and totally spoiled by his family, feline Fuddles lives a life filled with eating, sleeping and the occasional litter-box trip. When he finally opts for adventure, Fuddles discovers he's not allowed outside.Obsessed with going out and fighting the foes he knows await, Fuddles initiates a "strict exercise regime." Eventually Fuddles spies an open front door, darts outside and loses no time leaping after birds on the porch, where his tubbiness weighs him down. He tries chasing squirrels but can't claw his way up a tree. His catnap in the neighbor's yard turns into a harrowing flight from an aggressive dog, leaving Fuddles lost without his litter box as night descends. Scared and lonely, missing his family and feeling hungry, Fuddles learns the hard way there's no place like home. Digitally rendered, comical illustrations trace Fuddles' journey from spa-like existence in tub and hammock to his feeble fitness training with scratching post and toy mouse to the reality of his outdoor adventure, punctuated by indignant falls, futile clawing, frantic flight and fearful search for home.Indolent, irascible and utterly irresistible, Fuddles is the undisputed focus of every scene in this hilarious reminder to stick with a good thing when you've got it.(Picture book. 4-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
