Kat Kong [Paperback]

Dav Pilkey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 1993 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

“The irrepressible Pilkey strikes again with a spoof of the famous film, enacted by a real cat and some mice in color photo images imposed on background paintings. Artfully designed, colorful, and funny--especially for those who know King Kong.”--Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a bold departure for Pilkey ( When Cats Dream ), these two brazenly funny picture books spoof Godzilla and King Kong as they launch the mice inhabitants of Mousopolis against, respectively, a killer cat and dog. Touched-up photographs of the author's pets are set against fluorescent cityscapes and luminous skylines. The texts ripple with corny but kid-pleasing puns ("The Big Cheese tried to catch up to the hot dog with all the relish he could muster") and shameless gags (" 'What are you, men or mice?' 'Mice,' they squeaked"), while the pictures are packed with sly allusions (the mice give Kat Kong passage on the U.S.S. Ignatz ). Dogzilla is the more successful volume, for it works within its own simple framework--giant dog steals cookout food, mice win a playful revenge--and even delivers a surprise ending. The more hard-hearted Kat Kong jestingly raises serious issues (Does morality have a position in science?) without acknowledging their validity. Pilkey's irreverent exuberance is irresistible nonetheless. These inventive books may lack the elegance and soul of William Wegman's work, but they are infinitely more fun. All ages.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-The furry residents of Mousopolis are twice terrorized by overgrown house pets in these daffy picturebooks "Written and directed" by the author of When Cats Dream (Orchard, 1992). Dogzilla rises from a volcano to break up the First Annual Mousopolis Barbecue Cook-Off, and scatter the Big Cheese's troops with her fearsome doggy breath-but the threat of a bath sends her scurrying back to her mountain. On the other hand, or paw, Dr. Vincent Varmint and his lovely assistant Rosie Rodent capture giant Kat Kong on an uncharted island and return to civilization, only to have the ferocious feline escape, create chaos in the streets, climb the tall Romano Inn, and take that long fall. Illustrations are painted in bright acrylics around cleverly trimmed and placed photographs of Pilkey's pet mice, cat, and corgi, for a wonderfully silly look, appropriately accompanied by a pun-laden text. Less elaborate, but much funnier and more creative than William Wegman's Cinderella (Hyperion, 1993).
John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (September 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152420371
• ISBN-13: 978-0152420376
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,628,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( P ) > Pilkey, Dav

More About the Author

"Considered one of the most popular contemporary authors for readers in elementary school, (Dav Pilkey) is also regarded as a talented artist and inventive humorist as well as a subtle moralist. ...He underscores his works--even at their most outrageous--with a philosophy that emphasizes friendship, tolerance, and generosity and celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted."

-The Educational Book & Media Association

Dav Pilkey is the Caldecott Honor Award-winning author and illustrator of more than 40 books for children. Check out his award-winning website at www.Pilkey.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Purr-fect reading for all ages!, September 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kat Kong (Paperback)

This is an excellent book to share with children - especially those with a well-developed sense of humor. The jokes, illustrations, and play on words will appeal to all ages. As a teacher, I read this book to 2nd graders and then ask them to draw what Kat Kong saw in the package. The ideas start flying. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It was great., September 17, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Columbus, Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kat Kong (Paperback)

This book is a wonderfully humorous version of the King Kong story. While my daughter was reading aloud, my attention was suddenly captured by the vision of mouse natives chanting "Heeer, Ki-tee Ki-tee" as part of an ancient ceremony involving a can of tuna fish and my attention never waned.

The author ingeniously makes use of idioms and cliche to make this an interesting story for the adult. Moreover, the illustrations are bound to cause laughter from child and parent alike.

This is a "must read" book.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's GREAT, November 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Kat Kong (Hardcover)

I'm 6 and I like "Kat Kong". "Kat Kong" destroyed Mousopolis and one of the mice said, "Help! The cat's got my tongue". I liked the jokes and it was funny. Except for the time Kat Kong destroyed the railroad.