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Totally Disgusting
Whoever heard of a name like Mewkiss! Ugh! How can a "Mewkiss" be brave? Why couldn't my Jessica call me "fearless" or "Ratkiller"? And why do I have to share a tub with a barky puppy named Barkus?
Actually... its nice to have somebody to cuddle up to. My real problem is rats. Two scary rats in the storm cellar are plotting to attack Jessica! What's a kitten to do? How do I find the courage to protect the person I love?
Actually... its nice to have somebody to cuddle up to. My real problem is rats. Two scary rats in the storm cellar are plotting to attack Jessica! What's a kitten to do? How do I find the courage to protect the person I love?
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
8 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Bill Wallace
99 books186 followersBill Wallace was an American teacher and later an author of children's books. He started writing to quiet down his fourth grade students, who loved his stories and encouraged him to make “real” books.
Bill Wallace grew up in Oklahoma. Along with riding their horses, he and his friends enjoyed campouts and fishing trips. Toasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories to scare one another, and catching fish was always fun.
Bill Wallace has won numerous children's state awards and been awarded the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award for Children's Literature from the Oklahoma Center for the Book.
Bill Wallace died from Lung cancer on January 30, 2012.
Former elementary school teacher; West Elementary School, Chickasha, OK, principal, since 1977, and physical education teacher. Speaker at schools and universities in various states, including State University of New York and University of South Florida.
AWARDS:
Bluebonnet Award from Texas Association of School Librarians and Children's Round Table and Sequoyah Children's Book Award from Oklahoma State Department of Education, both 1983, Central Missouri State University Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 1984, and Nebraska Golden Sowers Award from Nebraska Library Association, 1985, all for A Dog Called Kitty; Central Missouri State University Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 1984, and Pine Tree Book Award, 1985, both for Trapped in Death Cave.
Bill Wallace grew up in Oklahoma. Along with riding their horses, he and his friends enjoyed campouts and fishing trips. Toasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories to scare one another, and catching fish was always fun.
Bill Wallace has won numerous children's state awards and been awarded the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award for Children's Literature from the Oklahoma Center for the Book.
Bill Wallace died from Lung cancer on January 30, 2012.
Former elementary school teacher; West Elementary School, Chickasha, OK, principal, since 1977, and physical education teacher. Speaker at schools and universities in various states, including State University of New York and University of South Florida.
AWARDS:
Bluebonnet Award from Texas Association of School Librarians and Children's Round Table and Sequoyah Children's Book Award from Oklahoma State Department of Education, both 1983, Central Missouri State University Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 1984, and Nebraska Golden Sowers Award from Nebraska Library Association, 1985, all for A Dog Called Kitty; Central Missouri State University Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 1984, and Pine Tree Book Award, 1985, both for Trapped in Death Cave.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 7, 2016
One of my absolute favorite books growing up (but I'm partial to cats and kittens). A bit sad for such a young intended audience, but it includes some great themes for emotional development - friendship, overcoming obstacles, and saying goodbye. I still own the paperback from when I purchased it over 20 years ago. This is one that won't be leaving my bookcase anytime soon.. unless I'm reading it :3
October 23, 2015
Setting / Character-The setting is at someone's home. The main charachter mew kiss , is born and raised in the backyard barn of someone's house/farm. The kitten is left behind by his mother and is stranded in the barn . The setting changes to the inside of someone's actual house when a kid takes in the kitten. Mew kiss is given his name because he meows then the owner gives him a kiss. Mew kiss is bossy and gets agitated easily. He also doesn't believe things that are told to him.
Summary-mew kiss is abandoned by his mother at a young age . In the barn, rafter his mom left, a rat comes and eats his sister. Mew kiss gains an extreme fear of rats since that day . He ventures off outside the barn and discovers humans. The people take him In and he lives life trying to escape from his aquantence dog friend. At the end of the book, he fights off the rat that harmed his sister . He kills the rat and gets over his fear of rats. As they say, " and be livedhappily ever after .."
Summary-mew kiss is abandoned by his mother at a young age . In the barn, rafter his mom left, a rat comes and eats his sister. Mew kiss gains an extreme fear of rats since that day . He ventures off outside the barn and discovers humans. The people take him In and he lives life trying to escape from his aquantence dog friend. At the end of the book, he fights off the rat that harmed his sister . He kills the rat and gets over his fear of rats. As they say, " and be livedhappily ever after .."
April 16, 2015
Summary-The story is about a cat named Mewkiss and he had a problem it was that he was scared of rats. Spoiler alert: in the begging his mom was taking the cats to the upstairs and him and his sister were the only tow left and a rat attacked them and ate his sister .So he is trying to get over rats.
Setting-The story takes place at his owners house with a dog and they get moved around the house a lot. I think it is important to the story because his owners live there.
Character Trait-Mewkiss can be bossy at times. He is bossy to his friend and he is a good lisener and beleaves in things that are not true because his friend allergies told him a story about a cat named mewkiss aand he beleaved it.
Most Important Event-I think it was when Mew kiss fought the rats. It changed the story because Mew kiss got over his fear about rats.
Recommendation-I think a reader who likes funny and animal books should read it.
kourtney
Setting-The story takes place at his owners house with a dog and they get moved around the house a lot. I think it is important to the story because his owners live there.
Character Trait-Mewkiss can be bossy at times. He is bossy to his friend and he is a good lisener and beleaves in things that are not true because his friend allergies told him a story about a cat named mewkiss aand he beleaved it.
Most Important Event-I think it was when Mew kiss fought the rats. It changed the story because Mew kiss got over his fear about rats.
Recommendation-I think a reader who likes funny and animal books should read it.
kourtney
December 16, 2009
Mewkiss is a small kitten looking for her special person. She is horribly afraid of rats because her sister got killed by one when they were just kittens. She finds her special person. They're eyes met, "this is it," Thought the kitten. "Now I'm going to get a strong name, like fierce, or ratkiller, or hunter." But her special person ends up naming him Mewkiss. He says " when I say it slowly, it sounds like mew, and kiss put together. But when I say it fast, it sounds like mucus. How totally disgusting. One day, he wanders by a hole in a pile of bricks, and he smells he fresh smell of rats. Thin he hears them talking, about their plan to take down his special person. What is he going to do?
My tantalizing tidbit is: It's not what you are, it's what you believe.
My tantalizing tidbit is: It's not what you are, it's what you believe.
July 1, 2014
This book really is a "Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover" Type. I'm not an animal lover, but if I didn't have a personal goal to read all the books in my bookshelf, I most likely would not have bothered reading this at all. Surprisingly I enjoyed it. It was entertaining, and hilarious. Leaves you feeling happy about life. Wouldn't be surprised if people would end up getting a dog or cat after reading this. It's absolutely delightful. A little short for my taste and was a bit difficult for me to read from cover to cover.
August 3, 2020
I really liked this book when I was younger. I thought it was so cute to see Mewkiss and Barkus playing around and having fun, discovering snow for the first time, Mewkiss meeting Allergies.... I think it's really a fun story, and is perfect for younger readers, around ages 7 to 11, as it's a bit simple for older kids. It's so fun to see the world through the eyes of an animal, and to be with them as they see new things. I loved that it had the message that you can be courageous if you only believe you are.
Kyleigh Jo
A Bookish Blogger
http://www.abookishblogger.com/
Kyleigh Jo
A Bookish Blogger
http://www.abookishblogger.com/
February 26, 2020
I read this book as a kid and reading it as an adult had me quite emotional when Mewkiss's sister was taken and killed by rats. I was displeased at the nasty attitude of the father towards Barkus and Mewkiss on their first night. I'm glad that Mewkiss found a way to be brave and strong and not only protected his special kid, Jessica, but in a roundabout way avenged his little sister. I'm grateful that my cats never had to face any rats.
December 26, 2010
This book inspired me to read all his books and I'm glad I did. This book is good but not my favorite. I suggest you start with this book and then read the rest.
October 22, 2011
One of my absolute favorite childhood books. I read it so much the pages and cover fell off/out
January 19, 2012
Totally Disgusting is an awesome book based on bravery and loving your " Special Person"<3
August 14, 2017
This was my first novel. I got a second hand copy of it from a book fair and that is when I stumbled in this captivating world of fiction. This book is a 5 star all the way!!!
April 13, 2025
Read in two sittings, despite the date range. This book is a classic and has a lot of promise and a lot to give. It covers all the most important things about a pet cat's life... but that includes things that I personally would not want a child reading.
The vocabulary is definitely about second grade level, BUT the messages are SO FAR beyond that... The lead kitty has a serious case of PTSD, and the tale itself, as far too many kid books do, starts with a death, that of his sister's. It's very dramatic and whereas it does finally make me okay with a cat's desire to hunt, it's not something I would want my child, or even my niece to whom I'm constantly giving books, to read.
Also, like far too many kid books, it wraps things up with a death. The story in between does have some laughs but not nearly as many as the cover suggests. This is NOT a light, fluffy read. It is a good read, one that I truly appreciate having come across, but at the same time, and even with its valuable messages concerning values of a name and friendship, again, it is NOT something I would recommend to any child, which is why I'm only giving it three stars.
The vocabulary is definitely about second grade level, BUT the messages are SO FAR beyond that... The lead kitty has a serious case of PTSD, and the tale itself, as far too many kid books do, starts with a death, that of his sister's. It's very dramatic and whereas it does finally make me okay with a cat's desire to hunt, it's not something I would want my child, or even my niece to whom I'm constantly giving books, to read.
Also, like far too many kid books, it wraps things up with a death. The story in between does have some laughs but not nearly as many as the cover suggests. This is NOT a light, fluffy read. It is a good read, one that I truly appreciate having come across, but at the same time, and even with its valuable messages concerning values of a name and friendship, again, it is NOT something I would recommend to any child, which is why I'm only giving it three stars.
July 30, 2022
I read this when I was a kid and loved it so much, I gifted it to my favorite teacher at the end of the school year. I loved the characters, the drama, and the comedy that were woven throughout it.
Shout out to Mrs. Powers : Thank you for being such an amazing teacher and encouraging me to read more with all the fun books you read to us in class.
Shout out to Mrs. Powers : Thank you for being such an amazing teacher and encouraging me to read more with all the fun books you read to us in class.
September 22, 2018
Between reading a cat named Mewkiss and a dog named Barkus, you go from thinking these names are silly to knowing you've heard sillier named pets. The whole book is a ride, and a lot of fun, really. A great read, highly recommend!
August 25, 2020
This was a cute book. I had a nice time reading it and would suggest you read it too. Some parts had me laughing and it was just a good time. Overall it was an innocent book about believing in yourself.
April 13, 2018
My favorite book as a child!!
August 11, 2020
It's funny, It'a bit scary, It has it's moments when it's sad, and it's very cute!
January 2, 2022
This book and Snotstew are hands down my favorite books by Bill Wallace. These books are great read alouds and great for any elementary reader who loves cats and dogs.
August 13, 2022
Read this when I was a kid. One of my favorites, along with the Bunnicula series.
October 7, 2023
Loved this book as a kid!
April 25, 2024
I read this as a kid. Absolutely loved it. I also love cats and dogs. However, it made 10 year old me ball.
May 29, 2024
Cute with a nice message about courage. I don't love how the parents treat their pets but it's not the worst and it feels very 80's/90's. Felix (8) liked this one.
September 17, 2008
Another cute cat/dog story from Bill Wallace! He certainly knows his animal behavior. I felt a little sorry for the rats, though. I've got to read the rest of Bill Wallace's animal stories. Recommended for animal lovers!
November 22, 2010
This was one of my favorite books as a child. I read it so much it started to fall apart, and I'm very careful with my books. I have books that are ten year old and could be placed back on the book store's shelves.
September 23, 2008
All I remember about this book is the main characther's name "Mewkiss"... But I know I read it several times.
November 16, 2008
this is one of the most adorable stories ive ever read as a child! the innocence of it reached deep into my heart!
May 10, 2009
very cute
February 4, 2011
really good book
September 27, 2011
good book!
November 17, 2011
I loved the strong and brave cat, Allergies was funny, and the sweet dog was just enough to get me hooked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews