This unlikely cat and mouse duo will win young chapter book readers over with their ridiculously silly antics and their search for tasty treats! Ugly Cat was supposed to meet up with his brother Tamarindo so that they could go on a search for the best albondigas (meatballs) in the neighborhood, but then Tamarindo never showed up! Now Ugly Cat and his impeccably dressed mouse friend, Pablo, are on a mission to find Ugly's brother. But when all signs are pointing to the haunted Old Herrera House, can they figure out a way to sneak in, rescue Tamarindo, and make it out in one piece?
Isabel Quintero is a writer, poet, teacher, wife, friend, sister, daughter, granddaughter, aunt niece, and a bunch of other things. She lives in the Inland Empire, where she was born and raised by Mexican immigrant parents and Mexican immigrant granddparents; the hospital where she was born in was converted to a Lowe's hardware store. That's how long ago she was born.
She learned to love reading and the written word from a very young age when her mother used to read to her Amelia Bedelia. That love was fostered by teachers and professors throughout her schooling and she is sure if they hadn't boosted her ego for all those years she would have never dared letting the world see what she had written.
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces is her first young adult novel.
Ugly Cat is dying for a paleta, or ice pop, and his friend Pablo is determined to help him get one by scaring a little girl who is enjoying a coconut paleta in the park. Things go horribly wrong when, instead of being scared, the little girl picks Pablo up and declares that he would make great snack for her pet snake. Oh and there's also the small problem that Ugly Cat may have inadvertently swallowed Pablo in all of the commotion!
Ugly Cat and his impeccably dressed mouse friend, Pablo, are an unlikely and dynamic duo who will win young readers over with their ridiculously silly antics and their search for tasty treats.. Ugly Cat and his impeccably dressed mouse friend, Pablo, are an unlikely and dynamic duo who will win young readers over with their ridiculously silly antics and their search for tasty treats. Ugly Cat and Pablo are two tough dudes with hearts of gold and a penchant for miscommunication and misadventure.
Pablo is a mouse who dreams of adventure; his best friend, Ugly Cat, dreams of food. When Pablo suggests an outing to the park, Ugly Cat is hooked. After all, there is always the possibility of food in an outing to the park. Sure enough, food abounds, but then they see “THE CART.” The cart sells paletas—the Spanish word for Popsicles—Ugly Cat’s most favorite treat. An “easy peasy lemon squeezy” plan is hatched to obtain a paleta, and from there on, it is all a series of mishaps and misunderstandings. Knight’s black-and-white illustrations energetically capture the zaniness of the caper. Each protagonist speaks in a distinctive typeface, which also adds to the visual fun. The book has a liberal sprinkling of Spanish throughout; most of it will be understood by the context, but there is enough vocabulary that will be understood only by readers familiar with Spanish to make them feel extra accomplished. (There is a glossary for those who are not.) And our heroes? Well, they come out of the escapade unharmed and ready to plot their next adventure—“as long as we go together. And as long as there are snacks.” A series is born. Both chapter-book and reluctant readers will go for this one like cats to palentas.
"Ugly Cat and Pablo are two tough dudes with hearts of gold and a penchant for miscommunication and (mis)adventure. Pablo is a mouse who dreams of adventure; his best friend, Ugly Cat, dreams of food. When Pablo suggests an outing to the park, Ugly Cat is hooked. After all, there is always the possibility of food in an outing to the park. Sure enough, food abounds, but then they see 'THE CART.' The cart sells paletas -- the Spanish word for popsicles -- Ugly Cat's most favorite treat. An 'easy peasy lemon squeezy' plan is hatched to obtain a paleta, and from there on, it is all a series of mishaps and misunderstandings. Knight's black-and-white illustrations energetically capture the zaniness of the caper. Each protagonist speaks in a distinctive typeface, which also adds to the visual fun. The book has a liberal sprinkling of Spanish throughout; most of it will be understood by the context, but there is enough vocabulary that will be understood only by readers familiar with Spanish to make them feel extra accomplished. (There is a glossary for those who are not.) And our heroes? Well, they come out of the escapade unharmed and ready to plot their next adventure. Enjoy very much.
1/2/2019 ~ A briskly paced adventure in which Ugly Cat and his good friend Pablo go off to search for Ugly Cat's missing brother. Think of this series as Stick Dog (Watson) without the humor about drawing. I loved the Spanish-flavored (literally) references to common foods and Pablo's easily distracted nature. The pets in this neighborhood are having their own adventures with each other while their humans exist in the periphery.
It took me a little while (18 pages) to get into this story. Pablo often throws in a phrase in Spanish, a phrase explained in context and also defined in a glossary. Rather than relying on context, I kept flipping to the glossary. I think I'd have been better off focusing on the characters' personalities.
The font also distracted me; each character "speaks" in a different font. Is this supposed to help younger readers keep track of who is talking? It didn't work.
Do not read this when you're hungry. I still want chili cheese fries. I love the mix of Spanish and English. The cast of characters is fun and will likely engage young readers.