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Meatball: King of the Forest
Not yet published
Expected 13 Apr 27A laugh-out-loud, wonderfully absurd graphic novel about an indoor cat named Meatball who escapes outside to be a wild cat, where he poops wherever he wants, hunts for his meals (badly), and learns the true meaning of home, by bestselling comics creator Kate Beaton.
Meatball lives a tough life. Each day, his family’s three children love him, cherish him, and give him cuddles. It’s agony. But there is one thing he looks forward mealtime, also known as Nummy Num Time.
When a nature documentary helps Meatball awaken his Inner Wild Cat, Meatball escapes into the wild to live as he was always meant to. He’ll have no trouble surviving, right?
It turns out there’s a lot Meatball has to learn. His food isn’t served to him, and there’s no place comfy to sleep. Luckily, the forest is full of animals who know all about being wild. But the longer Meatball lives outside, the more he Was life with humans really that bad?
Meatball lives a tough life. Each day, his family’s three children love him, cherish him, and give him cuddles. It’s agony. But there is one thing he looks forward mealtime, also known as Nummy Num Time.
When a nature documentary helps Meatball awaken his Inner Wild Cat, Meatball escapes into the wild to live as he was always meant to. He’ll have no trouble surviving, right?
It turns out there’s a lot Meatball has to learn. His food isn’t served to him, and there’s no place comfy to sleep. Luckily, the forest is full of animals who know all about being wild. But the longer Meatball lives outside, the more he Was life with humans really that bad?
240 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 13, 2027
About the author
Kate Beaton
32 books1,756 followersKate Beaton was born in Nova Scotia, took a history degree in New Brunswick, paid it off in Alberta, worked in a museum in British Columbia, then came to Ontario for a while to draw pictures, then Halifax, and then New York, and then back to Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was the perfect graphic novel. Kids are going to absolutely eat this up. I've been a fan of Kate Beaton for years and years, but I wasn't expecting to literally laugh out loud as much as I did while reading this. The art is so cute and full of character, and the story has tons of heart, humor, and cleverness (and a lot of commentary about butt worms). I can't wait to preorder a copy for my library and a copy for myself. 🪱
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Meatball is a pampered housecat - he gets cuddles, pets and delicious num-nums from the can. But Meatball cannot stand the noise and chaos created by the - ugh - children he's forced to share a home with. Well, not Emmeline, she's great, but the others? They're the worst. One day, while watching a nature documentary, Meatball has an epiphany: he's not meant to be a housecat. He's meant to be a wildcat! In hopes of becoming a proper wildcat, Meatball escapes his house and his humans and heads into the woods. A crow tries to warn Meatball of the dangers of the forest, but Meatball doesn't listen. He is, after all, a wildcat, right?
But life in the woods isn't exactly what Meatball envisioned - after all, there's no one to feed you num-nums. And all the mice have butt worms (gross) and the birds have these pointy bits all over the outside and the coyotes are mean...maybe life with his humans wasn't so bad? What's a cat to do?
I absolutely adore all of Kate Beaton's work - her comics manage to be both heartfelt and hilarious at the same time. Meatball is a fantastic read for both kids and adults who love their cats
But life in the woods isn't exactly what Meatball envisioned - after all, there's no one to feed you num-nums. And all the mice have butt worms (gross) and the birds have these pointy bits all over the outside and the coyotes are mean...maybe life with his humans wasn't so bad? What's a cat to do?
I absolutely adore all of Kate Beaton's work - her comics manage to be both heartfelt and hilarious at the same time. Meatball is a fantastic read for both kids and adults who love their cats
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and I'm so glad I did! I have been a fan of Kate Beaton's work for years. This is a wonderful children's graphic novel that anyone of any age can enjoy. Beaton does the most expressive faces on all her characters and has a sly sense of humor. Kids will especially appreciate some of the jokes in this book!
Beyond featuring cute and fun animals, the story teaches about different creatures, handling big feelings, animal care, and family relationships. Hang out with Meatball when this book comes out!
Beyond featuring cute and fun animals, the story teaches about different creatures, handling big feelings, animal care, and family relationships. Hang out with Meatball when this book comes out!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There’s a thing that goes through my mind when I read the first Warriors book and reading this book kind validates my response to warriors, a likely reality to a cat going feral. I love all the friends and jokes made along the way, brilliant myth like trickster moments, chefs kiss. And then it aims straight for my heart with a 13 year old moment straight my upstairs bedrooms. Kate find the funny but she also finds the shining beacon of truth in our souls.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I LOVED this graphic novel about an indoor cat who lives with a family that has young kids and ends up escaping outdoors. Meatball embodies the 'grass is always greener' syndrome as he encounters all kinds of animals in the wild who feel he doesn't belong outside. Hilarity (and a great adventure) ensues!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews