Hello, Picture Book Builder people. Are you wanting to read and/or write a great read aloud? Well, I have the book for you.
Please get your paws on Cats in Construction Hats by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Leeza Hernandez.
This book had me sold on the dedication:
“To our agent, Rachel:
You bulldozed through our insecurities, gave concrete suggestions, and helped us nail this purr-fect book!
–S.B.-Q. and L.H”
Me-YOW, that was good!
Reviewers have also constructed (ha-ha) some lovely comments:
“A fresh twist that spotlights strengths individual and communal, while offering cat and construction aficionados plenty to savor.” —Publishers Weekly
“A message of determination and cooperation, conveyed with a kid-friendly combo of colors, trucks, and cute kittens.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A breezy assemblage of wordplay fun and purposeful, house-building, and cute, fuzzy workers in hard hats, this is just the ticket for younger audiences.” —School Library Journal
This is the opening spread:
Now I am a dog-person, but I am fully onboard.
These are just five of the reasons why I dig Cats in Construction Hats:
1–This book has THREE hooks–cats, colors, construction.
2–This book is such a fun read aloud. Not only is it funny, it rhymes AND incorporates some catchy onomatopoeia.
3–This book has endpapers that little ones will want to pour over. Plus, the back endpapers are different from the front ones. Annnnd sandwiched between these endpapers is spread after spread of Leeza’s charming art.
4–There is an unexpected moment that brought forth real deal glee in me.
5–The last two words are purr-fection.
There you have it, cool cats. Do yourselves a favor and curl up with this book.
Oh how cute! And I love the little mouse that appears in the illustrations!
Ooh, I have a good feline about this book! 😸
Thanks for building up my eager anticipation for a fun rhyming read-aloud! 👷💛
So cute! Looks like there are a few new titles with construction themes that would make great text sets for classrooms!
You had me at cats! But also, 3 hooks!
Congrats Sudipta and Leeza! Oh my gosh this book is so awesome. You had me at cats…really. The hooks are fab. The illustrations are fab. And it’s International Cat Day!!!
A hat trick of hooks! Well done! I can’t wait to read this one!
This book screams “Storytime”! Hope librarians are snatching it up!
Ha! The title and cover illustration are marvelous! Love this book. The speech bubbles are really fun too. I can’t wait to share it with littles.
Sudipta’s books are always a delight!…Leeza, such fun illustrations!