The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe

The Princess in Black #11

by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, LeUyen Pham (illustrator)

The Princess in Black may know how to handle all kinds of monsters, but a kitten set on destruction? Me-OW!

Duchess Wigtower had heard that pets are fun, but all her kitten has gotten her is nine lives' worth of problems. Eeeeek! It’s time for someone else to deal with this catastrophe. Princess Magnolia is thrilled when a kitten lands on her doorstep, but just as she’s about to play with Plumpkins (or should it be Hugmaster Floof?) the monster alarm goes off. When Princess Magnolia returns to her castle, her furry companion has carved up the wallpaper! In fact, each time Princess Magnolia leaves to help the Goat Avenger fight a very grouchy monster, her feline friend wreaks havoc. Has the Princess in Black finally met her match? Ten years after she first donned her cape, the Princess in Black returns for a purrfectly hilarious entry to the New York Times best-selling series.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Chapter Books, Humor, Animals, Fiction, Cats

96 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig.

Reviews

[Katherine (Kat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars

Cute, adorable and funny little book for children. I also just realized it’s apart of a series, now I know what I’ll be reading when I need to be uplifted a bit.

I came across this randomly and the title intrigued me with a little giggle. Also when everyone pretty much calls me Kat and black is my (second) favourite colour, I just had to give this a read and it indeed caught my attention until the end.

[Leah (Jane Speare) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought these couldn’t get better, SHANNON ADDS CATS TO THE EQUATION???

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute and fun!

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duchess Wigtower is fed up with her new kitten. It claws and scratches and destroys everything in sight. The Duchess leaves the kitten at the doorstep of Princess Magnolia, and the princess tries to make the kitten comfortable and happy. Princess Magnolia must disguise herself as the Princess in Black to battle against an evil monster who is threatening the goats. While she is away, the kitten gets bored and starts scratching at the wallpaper and clawing the pillows and tearing the curtains. Can the princess discover why the kitten and monster are both behaving so badly, and find a way to stop them?

My favorite part of the book was Princess Magnolia trying to figure out a good name for her new pet kitten. She tries Plumpkins, Picklewink, and Fitz-Kittikins. The names keep getting more and more silly and hilarious as the story continues, with Whisker-Disker-Doo, Meow Loaf, and Macaroni-and-Sneeze, Putter-Puff, and Tippy-Toe-Beans. And worst of all... Binky Sprog-Tot! haha! That one had me laughing!

I love the colorful illustrations that bring all the comedy of the story to life! Every page is bright with laughter and fun!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Jeeps (immovabletype)]

This was my daughter's first real chapter book, and it was a joy to read it with her. It really got some giggles, and the story and illustrations complement each other especially well in that regard. I love the princess as a protagonist, and even though this is only our first Princess in Black book, my daughter is already donning a blanket as a cape and pretending to be her. We'll definitely be picking up the previous books in the series.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

96 pages with amazing illustrations, page design, and large font. Makes a great step up from picture books into chapter books, great for the second grade readers. This is book 11 but can be read as an episodic stand-alone. 

The characters and plot are perfect, Countess Wigtower has the perfect idea to ruin Princess Magnolia's day, leaving a kitty at her door who will misbehave and ruin her bedroom (but not her spirit). Between her secret identity as a masked superhero saving the goats and her extensive research on how to take care of a cat, she finds herself learning how to help others. The solution is awesome. I am glad that she didn't refuse or abandon the cat because it was difficult to deal with at the beginning. 

Uplifting and fun read with the introduction of a new sidekick for further volumes. 
We love this series. Collecting the volumes.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Magnolia is given a kitten! Little does she realize that the creature was gifted by her neighbor, Duchess Wigtower, after it left her manor in shambles. Princess Magnolia will have her hands full trying to figure out the best name for her new pet, and how to curb its destructive tendencies while also trying to figure out what is up with the monster who keeps coming back to the goat field and causes mayhem but doesn't seem to want to eat them. What is up with this monster?

A great little adventure for the Princess in Black (and the Goat Avenger too). I like that it doesn't involve anyone being necessarily nefarious (unless you count Duchess Wigtower), but merely a communication problem. Neither the monster nor the kitten can fully explain why they are behaving the way they are, so the Princess in Black and the Goat Avenger have to use careful observation and some trial and error to figure it out. Bored pets/animals is a common problem, but not one frequently talked about outside of Animal Planet shows. This book may actually help some little pet owners realize that Fluffy or Fido may need some extra activities to channel all their energy. It also makes a very entertaining story. I love the string of names that Princess Magnolia tries out on the cat before finding one it likes. There are some super memorable options she throws out. 😄 A delightful new Princess in Black book.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: The Princess in Black and Goat Avenger rumble with the monster, but mostly just scare it back into monster land (before figuring out what it really wants).
Ethnic diversity: The Princess in Black and Duchess Wigtower appear to be of European heritage, the Goat Avenger possibly Hispanic.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Duchess Wigtower doesn't have the kitten or Princess Magnolia's best interests at heart, but things work out well all around.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this out as a Christmas gift for my 7yo, she loves cats if that wasn't clear to anyone who sees the kid chapter books I track...

Decided to also borrow the audio from the library. She has some reading struggles and I thought it would be fun to listen and read and see if that boosted her reading confidence.

1. This book is absolutely ADORABLE. As a family who fosters kittens and have given them the most ridiculous names (Purr Purr Fluffy Princess Snuggles, Baron von Fluffington of Scruffenshire, Yeti Spaghetti... Just to name a few) this book had us laughing out loud!

2. Julia Whelan is basically a goddess narrator. I didn't realize she did childrens' books, and now I'll happily listening to all of these.

3. This book had everything great for kids.
- Short digestible chapters, even if we read it in one sitting.
- illustrated beautifully
- teamwork
- problem solving
- non violent reactions to beyond frustrating situations (i mean, she didn't smack her cat for tearing stuff up and instead gave him an even more adorable name!)
- an amazing role model princess

4. Added bonus, I think this is going to be readable for my kid who struggles. After showing kiddo how to use the audio to figure out words, she was so excited. Can't wait to read the rest of these!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Duchess Wigtower had a problem. A fuzzy, furry, claw-pawed problem. And he was sitting beneath her shredded portrait. Licking his leg. And looking bored.

Premise/plot: Princess Magnolia is the recipient of a "stray" cat. The cat being absolutely ADORABLE soon wins her heart. But as Magnolia vanishes [to become the Princess in Black] she is always returning to find a HUGE mess. The cat is T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Can she find a way for the cat to fully BELONG in her world? Can she succeed where Duchess Wigtower has failed?

My thoughts: THE CAT. This one is worth reading for the illustrations of the cat alone. Of course the story is entertaining, but, it is the CAT that made me pick up this series again after skipping the past few books.

This one is the ELEVENTH in the series. I think series books are great for growing readers. I do. Nothing better than sitting down with a BIG stack of books all from the same series and just binging them all with great delight and glee. That could easily be done with this series.

This one follows the basic formula for the series except now she has a new pet.

[Efox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was ordering Dory Fantasmagory again for another birthday party that we're scheduled to go to and to my DELIGHT there was a new Princess in Black book! We adore this series and my children are both SUPER into cats right now so obviously this was a need to get and boy was it fun.

Duchess Wigtower has a cat who is shredding everything - so obviously the best thing to do is give it to Princess Magnolia. But every time Princess Magnolia has to go fight a very not interested in eating goats monster, the kitty shreds everything in her castle! What to do?

Loved the illustrations in this one and the emphasis on the importance of care for yourself and others and the importance of PLAY. Absolutely love the messages in theses books. Thanks Sharon Hale for finding new fun twists for Princess Magnolia and Duff to explore in their never ending adventures with monsters, goats, and other royals.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This eleventh installment in the Princess in Black series introduces several new characters. First there is the destructive kitten that Duchess Wigtower dumps on Princess Magnolia and then there is the grouchy monster that the Princess in Black is trying to keep form eating the goats. Throughout the story, Princess Magnolia is trying to find the perfect name for the fluffy kitten but it does not seem impressed by any of her suggestions. He also destroys a little bit more of her room every time she goes to deal with the monster. As she learns to placate the monster and help him not be bored, she is able to ultimately help the cat as well be busy and happy. This satisfaction helps keep the cat and the monster from being bored and causing problems for others. This is a cute addition to the series and will keep the readers looking for more in the series. I would recommend this books purchase, especially for those that already own the series. This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Princess Magnolia finds an adorable, white, fluffy kitten on her doorstep. Unbeknownst to her, Duchess Wigtower left the kitten there and snuck away. The duchess leaves the cat to her neighbor because she just can't handle its destructive nature. At her wig's end, she ditches the cat to Princess Magnolia. In it's new home, the little feline continues on with scratching, shredding, and breaking Princess Magnolia's belongings without conscience nor apology but with lots of disregard and attitude. On another front, Princess Black has to go out and help her fellow hero, Goat Avenger, deal with a monster that keeps messing with the goats. What's going on and will Princess Magnolia/Princess in Black be able to figure out these two unruly creatures?

I gave this two stars because I just found the kitten super annoying. It seems to recklessly destroy things and in the end, shows no remorse but instead is redirected to play in a way that it always wanted.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

The Duchess Wigtower has had enough of her cat, who keeps tearing up everything in her home, so she puts him in a basket and leaves him outside of Princess Magnolia's castle. She takes in the cat, dotes on him, and tries to think of a name for him. She's also battling a grouchy monster who is bedeviling the Goat Avenger's herd, so goes back and forth between being Magnolia and being the Princess in Black. She eventually realizes that both the monster and the cat are bored, and that's why they have desrtuctive tendencies. When she is more deliberate about finding activities for the cat and the monster, their problems subside. This is a cute series, and a must purchase for elementary schools. I only bought the first six for my middle school library.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another twinkle-twinkle-super-smash hit! The Princess in Black books are my favorite series to read to my daughters (currently ages 3 and 6). The dreamy, colorful illustrations by LeUyen Pham are gorgeous and whimsical eye candy. The story is fun, and the books are just the right length (longer than a picture book with the feel of a beginning chapter book). In this latest installment boredom is the real beast causing a monster to play with the goats and a fluffy kitty to tear up Princess Magnolia’s castle. My girls loved the silly names proposed for the cat. My only complaint is that we gobbled this up too quickly!

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Magnolia, aka The Princess in Black gets a kitten. Said kitten's previous owner, a duchess with fantastic hair, is at her wit's end and glad to be rid of him. After taking care of the kitten's physical needs (food, water, litter box, bed) and trying to both play with him and name him, her fruitless efforts only give the kitten more opportunities to claw everything in sight. To compound matters, a monster keeps climbing out of Monster Land and messing about with the Goat Avenger's goats.
Funny, clever, a good time for a reader just starting to tackle chapters who wants a funny fantasy.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A neighbor of Princess Magnolia aka The Princess in Black secretly gifts her a misbehaving cat. The kitty acts out each time Princess Magnolia is called away to be The Princess in Black and fight monsters. However, finding a clever way to stop the havoc of a certain monster helps the princess figure out how to meet her new cat's needs. This is a really fun early chapter book series with a not so average princess.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another adorable addition to The Princess in Black series. The different names Princess Magnolia was trying to come up with for her new cat were pretty funny. She is trying to figure out what her cat needs and what will make her happy so she'll quit destroying Magnolia's bedroom. During all of that, she keeps getting calls for her Princess in Black duties. The illustrations are great and colorful. I am glad they have continued on with this cute series.

[Jill Jemmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute book in The Princess in Black series! Princess Magnolia’s grumpy neighbour gives her the cat because he is so destructive. Magnolia must figure out how to get this new kitten to behave, while also defeating a monster in the village. I loved the way her problem with the kitten and the monster were related. The illustrations were adorable too!

The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe is a cute children’s book!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heard Shannon speak at WLA and each of my team was gifted with an autographed copy. They were all grateful and because many hadn't read the series, were joyously giggling at the cat names and the superhero onomatopoeias.

Read aloud with Lexi. She adored it and restarted the series, as many we read when she was very small.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

This newest installment in the Princess in Black series is all about boredom. I think it could be a good message for pet owners and I'm excited that the Princess in Black now has a kitty to join her on all her adventures. Even so, I don't think this is my favorite of the series by a long shot.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be my favorite book of the series simply for the grumpy faces the cat makes! I wasn't sure if Hale was intentionally trying to make a point that you should spend time with and show love and affection to your children, but that is a potential takeaway. This made a good read aloud, especially when reading all the names Princess Magnolia tried out on the cat.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Magnolia should have named her new kitten "Destructo-Cat." However, after dealing with a very grouchy monster, she suddenly realizes what the kitten is missing and how to curb his destructive tendencies. Humorous story with cartoon illustrations that perfectly match the tone of the story.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 6 year old still loves this series! She first fell in love with it when we started reading it together when she was 4 and dressed as The Princess in Black for Halloween! So she was ecstatic when this new one came out!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really felt like a throw-back to the first book. Duchess Wigtower was back to foist her destructive kitten on Princess Magnolia. The Princess in Black and The Goat Avenger wage battle on a grumpy monster. The kitten illustrations are hilarious, and I loved the grumpy monster.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe not the strongest of the series, but still worth rounding up to four stars. Good vocabulary & spelling word in the title, and good message about not judging by appearances (fluffy kitties are still active and clawed, and monsters aren't nec. monstrous).

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audio. Another gentle story of the princess who secretly battles monsters in the kingdom. She is ‘gifted’ a kitten, spends the rest of the book deciding on a name, and we find out that the kitten will also have a secret identity.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Princess Magnolia has new pet, a white fluffy kitten that shows it displeasure by destroying house furnishing whenever the princess leaves it alone. Princess Magnolia does her research to try and solve the issue with her kitten while trying to given the kitten a name .

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great, funny series! It just keeps getting better and better. The cover art and illustrations within this title may be my favorite in the whole series. A terrific early reader series.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owning a cat takes a lot of work and playing with them means something different than how a human would want to play. The princess in black learns to manage her new destructive kitty.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too cute!