What do you think?
Jasper & Scruff #1
Jasper and Scruff
Smart kitty. Mucky pup. Here comes trouble...
Jasper has everything he could want – a fancy apartment, bow ties in every colour and a large book collection. The only thing he’s missing is the right type of friends! Jasper wants to become a member of ‘The Sophisticats’, a society for exceptional felines, more than anything. When they accept Jasper’s dinner invitation, he knows his chance to impress has arrived. But a boisterous puppy called Scruff follows Jasper home and his evening doesn’t quite go to plan…
A laugh-out-loud tale of friendship with colour illustrations, perfect for new readers moving on from picture books, and fans of CLAUDE, RABBIT AND BEAR, DIXIE O'DAY, SQUISHY MCFLUFF and COWBOY PUG.
Jasper has everything he could want – a fancy apartment, bow ties in every colour and a large book collection. The only thing he’s missing is the right type of friends! Jasper wants to become a member of ‘The Sophisticats’, a society for exceptional felines, more than anything. When they accept Jasper’s dinner invitation, he knows his chance to impress has arrived. But a boisterous puppy called Scruff follows Jasper home and his evening doesn’t quite go to plan…
A laugh-out-loud tale of friendship with colour illustrations, perfect for new readers moving on from picture books, and fans of CLAUDE, RABBIT AND BEAR, DIXIE O'DAY, SQUISHY MCFLUFF and COWBOY PUG.
96 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 11, 2019
Meet Jasper, a very fancy cat who loves fancy stuff and bows. But, unlike some fancy cats he is kind and friendly, always making sure to greet people and talk to them. I was definitely happy with that, because when we met him in the beginning pages I was worried he would be, as we Dutch would call it, een kakker. But no he turned out to be a sweet guy with a great taste.
On his way to make some fabulous things for the rich and swanky club he wants to join he meets Scruff. Sorry, I didn't like Scruff. That is why I am rating this book a bit lower by 1 star. I get that Scruff is a puppy, but come on he should have gotten the hint that Jasper wasn't interested in him and that he was just an annoyance. Instead he just kept popping up and ruining things left and right. Sure, in the end it was all nice and fluff and warm, but still it didn't make me any happier about that stupid dog.
The book is delightfully illustrated.
On his way to make some fabulous things for the rich and swanky club he wants to join he meets Scruff. Sorry, I didn't like Scruff. That is why I am rating this book a bit lower by 1 star. I get that Scruff is a puppy, but come on he should have gotten the hint that Jasper wasn't interested in him and that he was just an annoyance. Instead he just kept popping up and ruining things left and right. Sure, in the end it was all nice and fluff and warm, but still it didn't make me any happier about that stupid dog.
The book is delightfully illustrated.
May 30, 2023
Jasper is a very elegant cat who appreciates fine art, literature, and cuisine. His greatest wish is to be invited to join the exclusive Sophisticats Club. He sets up a dinner party and invites the Sophisticats. Everything must be perfect! But a dirty puppy named Scruff follows Jasper home, and Jasper can't get rid of him. Scruff just wants to play fetch and he gets into everything. Jasper is desperate to impress the Sophisticats, but when they arrive for the party, they aren't very nice to him. They complain and demand extra attention and they are very rude. Scruff ruins the party with his dirty slobber and wild antics, and he licks all the frosting off the cake! But by that time, Jasper has realized that the Sophisticats aren't at all the type of friends he wants to know. Scruff is much more fun!
This is such a fun book! Jasper and Scruff are hilarious! I loved all the wild circumstances of the ruined party, and how the two unlikely friends join together in the end. There are a few paragraphs of text on each page, making this the perfect type of book for children who are learning to read small chapter books on their own.
The illustrations are really cute and I love the designs for all the animals characters! Every page is so colorful. I especially liked the little details in the background of Jasper's apartment, showing his book collection, the elegant art on the walls, and his massive closet full of fancy bowties.
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.
This is such a fun book! Jasper and Scruff are hilarious! I loved all the wild circumstances of the ruined party, and how the two unlikely friends join together in the end. There are a few paragraphs of text on each page, making this the perfect type of book for children who are learning to read small chapter books on their own.
The illustrations are really cute and I love the designs for all the animals characters! Every page is so colorful. I especially liked the little details in the background of Jasper's apartment, showing his book collection, the elegant art on the walls, and his massive closet full of fancy bowties.
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.
June 25, 2022
Maybe three stars for the story, which is a bit stereotypical with The Sophisticats all being rich snobs and the puppy being rough-and-tumble with a heart of gold. However, I was charmed by the writing style and the illustrations. Jasper reminded me so much of Frasier Crane. It's a fun odd couple comedy highlighting that true friendship is more important than being with the "in" crowd.
September 24, 2020
Really fun new series with delightful art. I'm so glad I checked both out at same time, so I could sprint right to the next volume!
December 28, 2019
Jasper loves his life in his grand apartment building, surrounded by his books and bow tie collection. There is one
thing more that he believes will make his life complete. He wishes to join a swanky cat club called the Sophisticats. He sends out dinner invitations, ready to impress.
On the way home with everything he needs to cook up a storm, he meets Scruff. Scruff is a small homeless puppy who just wants someone to play with him and talk to. All Jasper sees is a smelly, messy, scruffy puppy. He's horrified as Scruff begins to follow him, and he does everything to try and leave him behind. But Scruff has taken a shining to Jasper - which is just as well for reasons he will soon discover.
Lovers of the story Diva & Flea will love this too. Sometimes the people (or puppies) you meet turn out to be the best things ever!
Author / Illustrator - Nicola Colton
Age - 6+
thing more that he believes will make his life complete. He wishes to join a swanky cat club called the Sophisticats. He sends out dinner invitations, ready to impress.
On the way home with everything he needs to cook up a storm, he meets Scruff. Scruff is a small homeless puppy who just wants someone to play with him and talk to. All Jasper sees is a smelly, messy, scruffy puppy. He's horrified as Scruff begins to follow him, and he does everything to try and leave him behind. But Scruff has taken a shining to Jasper - which is just as well for reasons he will soon discover.
Lovers of the story Diva & Flea will love this too. Sometimes the people (or puppies) you meet turn out to be the best things ever!
Author / Illustrator - Nicola Colton
Age - 6+
September 9, 2020
Jasper is careful to have nice things, to shop at the best places, and now all that's missing are the best friends. He's cooking up a supper to try and impress The Sophisticats and hopefully gain membership into their circle. But on his way back from shopping for the food items he'll prepare, Jasper catches the eye of Scruff, a mangy little dog who just wants someone to play with. Will Scruff ruin everything or be the answer to Jasper's search?
Jasper learns an important lesson about what true friendship looks like and the shallowness of popularity in this cute and funny story. The illustrations are fantastic. Jasper doesn't go clueless for too long so it doesn't get to the annoying point. And Scruff will make everyone fall in love with him. Hand this to animal lovers and kids who think being in the "in" group is the answer to their hearts' desires.
Jasper learns an important lesson about what true friendship looks like and the shallowness of popularity in this cute and funny story. The illustrations are fantastic. Jasper doesn't go clueless for too long so it doesn't get to the annoying point. And Scruff will make everyone fall in love with him. Hand this to animal lovers and kids who think being in the "in" group is the answer to their hearts' desires.
April 3, 2022
More of an early reader than a chapter book, this is a story of a cat who is looking for the right kind of friends in the wrong place. It took the persistent puppy Scruff for Jasper to see how snotty and unfriendly the 3 felines from the Sophisticats society truly were. The story includes lots of plot points involving quality ingredients, fancy dishes, and critiquing food which may not be the most interesting for the intended audience. However, the interactions w the puppy are pitch perfect w Oscar-and-Felix-type chemistry. Scruff’s surprise for Jasper is a delightful end to the first book in this new series.
November 18, 2024
Jasper enjoys the finer things of life and he would be ever so pleased if he could finally join the elite and exclusive social group of felines, the Sophisticats. When they finally respond to his invitation to meet, he learns that he has to host them for dinner. Whether he gets accepted into the group or not depends on the evening going perfectly. But when Jasper meets a scraggly puppy named Scruff, things get way more complicated for him.
With full color pages of these haughty cats and a curious little puppy, this is a fun read. The lesson of friendship and the characteristics of what makes a good friends are easy to pick up on.
With full color pages of these haughty cats and a curious little puppy, this is a fun read. The lesson of friendship and the characteristics of what makes a good friends are easy to pick up on.
September 25, 2020
Jasper is a sophisticated cat who longs to be part of the elite social group, the Sophisticats. As he prepares to have them over for dinner, he meets a stray puppy in the park who is determined to make Jasper his friend. Jasper tries very hard to impress the impossible Sophisticats and to get rid of Scruff. But throughout the horrid evening, he realizes that he would rather have the kind of friends that you don't have to impress and that you can enjoy your time together. Very cute story, I love the illustrations.
October 20, 2020
A cute comedy of errors about what makes the "right" kind of friend. The humor is often over the top, the characters are colorful, and the illustrations add loads of amusing antics to the story. I think kids will relate to Jasper as he tries to fit in with "The Sophisticats," the cool cats in town. All the effort that goes into trying to impress the cool kids and so often failing. The mischievous Scruff adds chaos to Jasper's plans but also teaches him a valuable lesson about what the "right" kind of friend is for Jasper's life. A great early chapter book.
October 23, 2020
Jasper longs to join the Sophisticats, the fanciest cat group in the neighborhood. He has planned a delightful feast to impress them, but things don’t go quite as planned, when a puppy, Scruff, follows him home from the store.
Very cute book about finding the right friends even if they don’t look the same as you. Pictures on every page. Illustrations are cute, and are done with a blue and orange palette.
Definitely recommend. A good starter chapter series.
Very cute book about finding the right friends even if they don’t look the same as you. Pictures on every page. Illustrations are cute, and are done with a blue and orange palette.
Definitely recommend. A good starter chapter series.
October 18, 2019
Super super well illustrated little book perfect for reading together with a really good message to little ones about finding friends in unexpected people.
Scruff was annoying though and I didn’t reallllly get what he did to make him a friend until after the friendship was established which is why it’s only getting three stars.
Scruff was annoying though and I didn’t reallllly get what he did to make him a friend until after the friendship was established which is why it’s only getting three stars.
October 7, 2020
A perfect story for a child who is beginning to read longer books. This book is under 100 pages long but age appropriate for 7-10 year olds. The illustrations are lovely and there aren’t too many words on the page so that it doesn’t feel intimidating to read. Totally recommend
December 7, 2019
Gorgeous and funny, I loved this!
September 12, 2020
Cute artstyle, and lovely colour palette. Jasper is low-key savage 👀
October 29, 2020
Cute, high vocab though.
December 14, 2020
This book is amazing its about jasper being so fancy and scruff being messy and nougaty and when sophisticats came scruff was ruining everything but then jasper and scruff became friends.
February 21, 2021
Lovely children's book with great illustrations
April 14, 2021
This is a short little chapter book. The overtones are obvious to adults but are presented in a fun and humorous way for kids.
March 20, 2022
A rather predictable fable about snobbery.
June 14, 2022
I love these adorable illustrations and this quirky, lovable duo. And finding the *right* type of friend is my very favorite thing. :-)
July 7, 2024
It's a fun book too read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2026
A perfect mix of comedy, friendship and problems
August 21, 2020
I genuinely enjoyed this "tween" book from our collection about Jasper the cat, who longs to belong to an elite club of snooty cats. Scruff the dog shows up on the scene and madness ensues. Lots of challenging/long words, so if you're working with a second or third grade reader who is up for a challenge, this would be a good place to start with sounding out complicated and unfamiliar vocabulary.
August 13, 2020
By far the cutest! Great lesson for littles and beautiful artwork.
December 13, 2020
Jasper and scruff was really fun to read because its choosing to have a kind friend over joining a popular cat club.
Jasper really loves his bow ties and likes to keep things clean.
Scruff comes along the way and makes room for scruff in Jaspers life. Scruff didn't have a home and lived in the park until he met Jasper.
Jasper really loves his bow ties and likes to keep things clean.
Scruff comes along the way and makes room for scruff in Jaspers life. Scruff didn't have a home and lived in the park until he met Jasper.
August 10, 2020
Cute story.
Fun to read.
Fun to read.
February 27, 2020
Quite a cute story with an adorable puppy in it.
May 1, 2020
An excellently illustrated odd couple introduction that heavily emphasizes Jasper the cat and his desire to be fancy and exclusive. Lots of fun.
April 2, 2022
Lovely friendship between cat and dog. Fancy dinner and great drawings.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews