Print Reviews of "What Will Fat Cat Sit On?”
Kirkus Reviews: “In this comic debut, Thomas has created a cat that puts Garfield to shame. With just a few, oversized words per page, the drama is clear: Where will this gargantuan cat sit? On the cow? The cow looks terrified, and he should be. The cat's head dwarfs the cow's, so it's no wonder the cow raises his hooves in a joyous "Yee-haw!" when he realizes he has been spared. The fun of the story is the interaction between the characters on the page and with the readers themselves. Lapsitters will yell out a warning and cluck and moo along with the threatened farm animals. These animals are all eyes and teeth, fearful in terror or laughing in relief. Familiar animals, repetitive text and heavily outlined page-filling graphic illustrations add up to a lot of laughs. This is a book that toddlers and new readers will reach for again and again. Shelve this near Mo Willems' Pigeon books.”
Publishers Weekly (starred review): “Thomas, in a rollicking and highly promising debut, makes this book a laugh-out-loud pas de deux between Dick-and-Jane-get-stylish typography (which goes by the evocative names of Eatwell Chubby and Chaloops) and the supremely silly visual evocation of high anxiety.”
Full review (9/13/07)
New York Times: “Fat Cat’s sheepish grin is the running punch line in this cheerful, boldly designed picture book... Fun to read aloud, it would also make an effective early reader for preschoolers.”
Full review (9/16/07)
The Topeka Capital Journal: “In this enjoyable tale, a cow, a chicken, a pig, a dog and a mouse tremble at the thought of being sat on by a fat cat until mouse comes up with a solution. In a surprise ending, the cat comes up with a riddle that sends the other silly animals running in all directions. The simple text and cartoon-like illustrations will leave readers laughing and wanting more.”
Full review (10/22/07)
Christian Science Monitor: “...the author serves up a surprise ending that's sure to evoke a laugh. Textual repetition and animal sounds make this a perfect book for the younger set. But the real treat, for kids and adults alike, is Thomas's artwork, which brings her story to life with bold colors – and a big dose of humor.”
Full review (11/20/07)
School Library Journal: “The cartoon illustrations are bright, basic, and expressive, with a bold outline for each character, allowing the pages to be seen by a group at storytime. The well-paced, laugh-out-loud humor ensures that this story can be enjoyed again and again.”
Full review (12/1/07)
NY Daily News: “Toddlers love to yell, "No!" Make it easy for them (and you) with this adorable bunch of animals, who are all hoping Fat Cat sits on the next guy.”
Blog/Online Reviews of "What Will Fat Cat Sit On?"
Three Silly Chicks: “In this rollicking book, the reader gets in on the fun as the narrator asks what Fat Cat will sit on with every spread. ...witty asides make this book a pleasure to read out loud. We think it's perfect for threes and fours, but older kids (and adults!) will also love the irreverent humor... This is Jan Thomas's first book. We can't wait to see what's next!”
Full review (10/2/07)
Book Buds: “...Thomas's illustrations are fantastic: Faces fill the page, large eyes showing anticipation, anxiety and relief. Children as young as two years old will be able to read these faces and recognize the emotions the animals express. ...perfect not only for the preschool audience, but also for children just learning to read. Its cheerful and funny illustrations will lift the spirits of kids struggling to make sense of those three-letter words. This Fat Cat is a keeper.”
Full review (10/11/07)
Little Blog of Stories: “...a perfectly silly and irreverant picture book that begs to be read aloud at storytime, bedtime, or just about any other time. The illustrations are fantastic- simple, colorful, and engaging- the expressions of the animals as they worry about their fate are priceless. Thomas is definitely up and coming and her work is certainly reminiscent of this guy you might have heard a bit about- Mo Willems.”
A Fuse #8 Production: “...I have not enjoyed a picture book this much since... well, I suppose since the last Mo Willems title hit bookstore shelves. Author/illustrator Jan Thomas certainly hits it out of the park with this funny, not to say supremely goofy, picture book title.” ...Thomas has an ear and an eye for visual comedy that is as funny to four-year-olds as it is to forty-year-olds. ...Arguably the best of the overweight kitty genre, this is a crowd pleaser and bound to be a children's librarian's new best friend. Funny furry stuff.”
Full review (11/17/07)
Library Goddesses: “This was a truly funny picture book. ...The illustrations are bright and simple. The comical expressions of the animals compliment the text, making the book a great read a loud for storytime. If you like Mo Williem's Pigeon books you will love What Will Fat Cat Sit On? ...This is a great addition for all collections.”
Full review (12/4/07)
Barnes and Noble, Books for Kids: A Scouting Report: “Children who can't get enough of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus will fall in love with the equally absurd and amusing What Will Fat Cat Sit On?”
Full review (12/14/07)
Creative Literacy: “I had a friend share her new favorite primary book called What will Fat Cat Sit On? by Jan Thomas. I read it and immediately knew my students would love it. They did! In fact, my kids ...got their hands on this one before I could even read it aloud.”
Full review (1/24/08)
Awards
Bookstore Pages
