Chester's Back! [Hardcover]

Melanie Watt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

In this uproarious sequel to Chester, the battle of the picture-book makers continues. Which author-illustrator will come out on top - Chester or Melanie Watt - is anybody's guess!This time, there's no denying (in Chester's mind) that he's the star of the show. His already outsize ego has ballooned even more due to a spate of fan mail on the heels of his self-titled debut. As Chester sees it, who needs Melanie Watt when they have Chester? He's got no shortage of his own storytelling ideas. With heavy paw and red marker, this control-freak cat does not hesitate to commit them to paper. When Chester starts acting far too Hollywood, Melanie calls an open audition to replace the high-maintenance feline. This isn't a move that Chester will take lying down. Get ready for a seesaw comedy of dueling author-illustrators. Who will come out on top is anybody's guess!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—The big calico cat with an even bigger ego is back. Watt attempts to feature him in a fairy tale, but as readers of Chester (Kids Can, 2007) will anticipate, he is not interested. He whips out his red marker and makes the story his own-until Watt decides to replace him altogether. The author holds a casting call and tries to carry on with a replacement for Chester. Of course, the feisty feline will not let that happen, and for a moment readers may think that he has come out on top. Chester wants to be the star of the story, but as the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for!" The little gray mouse that was featured in the original book also returns. Chester has a great range of expressions that work along with the red-marker text to develop a lovable character. The use of color and font to indicate the speakers and the mix of various illustration styles add definition to the story-within-the-story, and the pages are full of activity. Readers will discover new details with each viewing. This is an original and fun tale for sharing one-on-one and in small groups.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO
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Review

Youngsters don’t need to know the first book to grasp the delicious extent of Chester’s narcissism here, so both tyros and Chester fans can revel in the literary war even as they secretly identify with Chester’s excessive self-confidence.

This is an original and fun tale for sharing one-on-one and in small groups

Aspiring author Chester, a chubby calico cat, is back for another metatextual tussle ... the antics of the overbearing cat and his exasperated author/owner will elicit chuckles aplenty from returning fans and those new to the battle, from front flyleaf to back.

In this mischievous follow-up to her comical metafiction, Chester ... Readers will be dazzled by the cat’s rampant self-regard and tickled by his ongoing battle of wits with his owner/creator.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press, Ltd.; First Edition edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554532876
• ISBN-13: 978-1554532872
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Melanie Watt lives in Montreal, Quebec. She is the author and illustrator of a number of children's books including Scaredy Squirrel and Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Chester!!, August 21, 2008

By 

A. D. Cox (northern PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Chester's Back! (Hardcover)

I'm a children's author and I loved "Chester". He reminds me so much of my cat. It's obvious Melanie is a cat person. I loved Chester so much that I put "Chester's Back" on order so I could read it as soon as it came out. The books made me chuckle, and I'm sure it will be a big hit with the kids and the kittens in all of us. The Chester series has fun drawings that Chester adds to with his red marker, as well as additional comments. I give Chester an A.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel!, October 20, 2008

By 

Jenelle - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chester's Back! (Hardcover)

What an amazing sequel! Chester cracked us up the first time and continued to keep us rolling the second time. My students and I cannot wait for another book by Melanie Watt. We enjoy her humor! (It is also a really good book to teach your students about VOICE in writing.)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME BOOK ! ! !, May 31, 2009

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Chester's Back! (Hardcover)

"Chester's Back!" is about a fat orange cat (Chester), the author and illustrator Melanie Watt, and a mouse. It is so totally hilarious and definitely deserves 5 stars. (I wish I could give it more, but the max is 5). I'd say the best part is when Melanie tries to replace Chester through an audition. Yet he ruins it with his red marker. Well, for all of you who haven't read any of these books, I recommend you read the whole series.