Bad Kitty vs Uncle Murray [Hardcover]

Nick Bruel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2010 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Bad Kitty

Kitty’s owners are taking a week off and leaving Kitty and Puppy at home. So who’s going to watch them? Good ol’ Uncle Murray, star of the Fun Facts feature of previous Kitty books—the guy you thought knew everything about cats. Think again! It isn’t long before Uncle Murray is driven to near madness by shenanigans of epic proportions.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-4–The cantankerous cat is back, and her claws are out in this picture-laden chapter book. Uncle Murray, who has appeared in previous books to give his “Fun Facts” about cats, is here to “pet sit” Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy. The feline is not happy with this arrangement and gives Uncle Murray a horrible time, skittishly jumping out at him when he least expects it. When Murray pulls out the dreaded vacuum cleaner, Bad Kitty bolts out the door and into the street. By the end of the pet-sitting arrangement, a ragged, dirty, glazed Murray keeps repeating wistfully, “fish don't bite or scream or chase you around the house….” Different fonts and huge scrawling words appear throughout, and the black-and-white cartoons on every page often show Bad Kitty and Murray with exaggerated gestures. The style gives the book a fast pace and adds to the comedic atmosphere. However, it's Uncle Murray's good-natured bumbling against Bad Kitty's cranky craziness that will get the giggles going.Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

“The style gives the book a fast pace and adds to the comedic atmosphere. However, it’s Uncle Murray’s good-natured bumbling against Bad Kitty’s cranky craziness that will get the giggles going.” --School Library Journal

Praise for Bad Kitty:

 “It’s Bad Kitty’s unapologetic, curmudgeon nature that delivers the laugh-out-loud funny.”—Publishers Weekly

“Bruel’s fast-paced humor is just right for the beginning chapter book set . . . A frenzied fusion of fiction and nonfiction with plenty of appeal for young readers.” —School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; First Edition edition (August 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596435968
• ISBN-13: 978-1596435964
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nick Bruel is the author and illustrator of, among other books, Bad Kitty, Poor Puppy, Bad Kitty Gets a Bath, Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty, and Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray. A former bookseller, Nick used his quirky sense of humor and cartooning skills to get out from behind the bookstore counter and onto the shelves. But Nick was a born writer. When he was in first grade, he loved nothing more than to write stories and make drawings to go along with them, which he still does to this day. Nick lives with his wife Carina, daughter Isabel, and cat Esmerelda in Tarrytown, New York. During his down time, he collects PEZ dispensers and grows tomatoes in the backyard.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific new adventure for Bad Kitty!, September 24, 2010

By 

Joanna - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad Kitty vs Uncle Murray (Hardcover)

I love the Bad Kitty series and "Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray" is hysterical. I just got the book and I finished it already. I have even read it again! I think it might be my favorite Bad Kitty book so far. My parents want to read it too. My mom is a Bad Kitty fan like me. I love Nick Bruel's books and I can't wait for the next one!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Miss Kelley Is Reading: [...], October 3, 2010

By 

Lea Kelley (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bad Kitty vs Uncle Murray (Hardcover)

I have purchased at least five copies of the original Bad Kitty picture book so far, as it is my go-to gift for the youngest readers I know, and it's a book that can hold up to multiple readings. The first two books, Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy, are traditional picture books that cover ABCs and counting. The three books that follow (Bad Kitty Gets A Bath; Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty; and Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray) are chapter books that still have many pictures, and are designed to bridge the gap between picture books and traditional chapter books.

The Bad Kitty books are hilarious, and Bad Kitty is a great character. In this book, the unseen human owners are going away, and Uncle Murray is left in charge of Kitty and Puppy. Those familiar with Kitty's personality know that this can't end well. Kitty's adventures with Uncle Murray are broken up by Uncle Murray's informational asides about why cats act like they do. Kitty and Uncle Murray do make peace in time for the owners return, and the owners have brought with them something that is sure to make young readers (and this adult reader) very excited for the next book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooked!!, September 24, 2010

By 

JLO - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad Kitty vs Uncle Murray (Hardcover)

This book was purchased by my daughter on her own at the book fair- SHE LOVED IT and the Happy Birthday book as well. We are definitely hooked on Bad Kitty and all of the other author's books. We have been searching all around town trying to find his other releases. We are a fan for life.