Earth Tigerlets, as Explained by Professor Xargle: 9 (Hardcover)

by Jeanne Willis (Author), Tony Ross (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Fresh from his lectures on Earthlets and Earth Hounds, the zany Xargle takes an entertaining look at Earth Tigerlets, otherwise known as cats. This playful alien's view of the friendly felines' antics is full of hilarious misconceptions--Tigerlets attacking "the wooden monsters that live inside the earthdwelling" with their "sharp thorns"; planting "brown stinkseeds" ("These stinkseeds never grow"); or singing in the moonlight and waiting for "Earthlings to applaud them with flying footwear." Willis seems to have hit her stride with this third book in the Xargle series: her writing is fresh and fun, the scope of her imagination limitless. In Ross's loose, loopy illustrations these Tigerlets--"in patterned or plain, in a variety of shapes and styles"--are endearing in their eccentricity. Children may miss some of the subtleties in this witty picture book, but parents will delight in explanations. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Readers, especially cat owners, will enjoy this satirical look at kittens and their owners from an alien's point of view. As in her book about babies, Earthlets (Dutton, 1989), Willis's Professor Xargle explains that Earth Tigerlets come in different patterns, shapes, and styles. Students are told about the creatures' personal hygiene, eating and sleeping habits, and some of their recreational activities. Ross's watercolor cartoons work hand-in-hand with Willis's zany and entertaining, tongue-in-cheek text. Outlined in pen and ink, they humorously convey a woman's shock as a kitten climbs up her leg, as well as the happiness of a purring cat eagerly awaiting its dinner. However, despite the picture-book format and classification, the book's deadpan humor will be best appreciated by more sophisticated independent readers. All in all a fun-filled romp that's sure to be a hit, particularly with those already familiar with Professor Xargle's lessons.
- Rachel S. Fox, Port Washington Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; First American Edition edition (May 2, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525447326
• ISBN-13: 978-0525447320
• Product Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 20 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,164,851 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Different title, same story, May 1, 2000

By	saliero (NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

The UK/Australian version is called "Dr Xargle's Book of Earth Tiggers".

It is hysterical, and the illustrations terrific. The under-6 crowd perhaps don;t really "get it" - it requires the capacity to understand word jokes.

The picture of the mother spooning out "meatblob" (cat food) whilst wearing a handkerchief round her face is a killer! The look of dismay on the little girl's face as the "meatblob"lands on her ice cream is priceless. Perfect depiction of the gloop in tins produced for cats!

A lot of fun this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterical!, December 9, 1999

By A Customer

My then-7-year-old daughter received this book for Christmas last year, and even a year later it makes her laugh! As a family of cat owners, we found the book to be as accurate as it is funny. We highly recommend this and any other "Professor Xargle" book.