Ferret Fun

by Karen Rostoker-Gruber, Paul Rátz de Tagyos (Illustrator)

Fudge and Einstein are ferrets. Marvel is a cat. Two ferrets plus one cat equal trouble. But Fudge and Einstein are smart. They know just how to teach a hungry cat that ferrets are more fun to play with than to eat. Paul Rátz de Tagyos’ illustrations, rendered in marker and ink, bring this ferret fiasco to a fitting conclusion.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

My books, Bandit (Marshall Cavendish 2008), Bandit's Surprise (Marshall Cavendish 2010), and Ferret Fun (Marshall Cavendish 2011) all received starred reviews in School Library Journal; Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo (Dial 2004) and Bandit were both International Reading Association Children's Book Council Children's Choices Award recipients; three of my books, Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo (in 2005), Bandit (in 2009), and Ferret Fun (in 2012) were all chosen for the "100 Best Children's Books" in the Bureau of Education and Research's Best of the Year Handbook. Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo and Ferret Fun were nominated for the Missouri Show Me Award; Bandit was nominated for the South Carolina Book Award; and Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo was a Dollywood Foundation selection two years in a row (in 2007 the Dollywood Foundation bought 73,579 copies and in 2008 it bought 88,996 copies). Tea Time, my first board book, was published by Marshall Cavendish in 2010, Foodfright, my first novelty book, was published by PSS in 2003, and Ferret Fun in the Sun was published by Two Lions in May of 2015. (It was a Marshall Cavendish title when Margery Cuyler first acquired it.) Farmer Kobi's Hanukkah Match was published by Behrman House in August of 2015, and it became a National Jewish Book Award Finalist! In 2017, two of my books were published by Apples and Honey Press, a division of Behrman House: The Family and Frog Haggadah and Maddie the Mitzvah Clown. Maddie the Mitzvah Clown became a PJ Library selection and went out to over 21,000 Jewish children in the US and Canada in July 2017. My latest books, Happy Birthday for the Trees, (KarBen) and A Crowded Farmhouse Folktale (Whitman) will both be out in 2020!

I am a member of SCBWI and I have twice co-chaired the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature's One-on-One Conference.
And, I'm one of the co-founders of The Book Meshuggenahs.

I'm also a published humorist. My first humor book, “The Unofficial College Survival Guide,” was published in 1992 by Great Quotations. My second book, “Remote Controls Are Better Than Women Because. . . ,” was published by Longstreet Press in 1993, and my third book, “Telephones Are Better Than Men Because. . . ,” also published by Longstreet Press, came out in 1996. My fourth humor book, “If Men Had Babies. . .,” was published by CCC Publications, LLC in 2001.

Reviews

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charmingly comical characters, with enough sinister tension to create a few shivers with the laughs. Useful talking points about bullying, building friendships. Anyone needing articulation practice with initial /f/ sounds will find an abundance in this story!

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

More a young graphic novel than a picture book - think Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea, Dewdrop, or the Arlo & Pip series (starting with King of the Birds). Cat adjusting to ferrets (which she does not recognize) as she is being petsat. Hijinks ensue, as we know that NEITHER of these species is known for being calm, cool, collected, and hijink-averse. Not a classic, but fun and would a good one to recommend to my young cat lovers and to younger readers looking to start exploring graphic novels.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When their owner brings a cat home for an overnight stay, the ferrets - Fudge and Einstein - feel threatened. The cat, Marvel, is set on eating them, but they find a way to make play more interesting than being enemies.
Amusing story with funny illustrations, especially the expressions.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun times, i wish i knew ... guess i could google it ... for the right term ...but like "comic style" layout ...very fun. cool 2 read.

[Lillian Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoutout to the author for this adorable book and for autographing the book for my boys!

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read for the kids, but the story feels like it moves too fast for how it gets to the end with the cat and ferrets playing together. The biggest problem was the raisins. Never EVER give ferrets raisins.

[Rachel Dutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a cute book for a child beginning to read! The two ferrets were best friends who were weary of a new roommate, a cat. The pictures detail of all the commotion going on between the two ferrets and the cat. Their expressions also helped to show how they felt while interacting with each other. From reading the book, I think it tells children to not be scared of someone new and not judge them. You could end up becoming best friends with them! Teachers could use puppets to tell the story and get the children to interact by asking them what they think might happen next. This is also a great graphic novel to start with, when teaching students what a graphic novel is. It is not too detailed and easy to understand the pictures.

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I thought: Fun indeed! I loved it. This is definitely the first ferret book I've read. I think it's needed though as ferrets are becoming more and more popular as pets. The illustration style (almost like a comic book) is great and suits the story perfectly. My favorite illustrations are Fudge and Einstein dancing and Marvel chasing the ferrets (last page). I originally thought this would make a good addition to my pets story time, but I've changed my mind. I think Ferret Fun will be best used with older children (elementary age).

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fudge and Einstein the ferrets are relaxing in their hammocks when their owner brings in a new friend, Marvel the cat. Marvel isn't sure what to make of them and things they are rats, which she loves to eat. She tries to get them until they get her back and scare her. But they decide in the end to be friendly and play a nice game of chase. This is a fun book. I like the interaction between the ferrets and Marvel. The illustrations are in a graphic novel format which will make it very appealing to kids.

[Angela Lambkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do the two ferrets deal with Marvel?

I enjoyed the story and the brilliantly colored illustrations but I would think that the captions in each comic part could be easier to figure out how to enlarge them as one goes from one to the next. I found this to be a bit frustrating and I am not a young kid either. Therefore, I would like to recommend this ebook for four stars and for kids ages 6-8. I received this ebook for free and in return, here is my honest review Karen! By Angela

[Christiane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ferret friends Fudge and Einstein are rightfully nervous when their owner introduces Marvel, a hungry cat who is convinced they are rats. This is a picture book but the story is told in comic book panels with word balloons. It is very beautifully drawn and colored. The expressions on the animal’s faces are hilarious and I love how the ferrets manage to solve their dilemma. I once watched a friend's ferret for the weekend and my cat reacted exactly like Marvel did!

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book just as much as my boys (ages 4 & 8) did! It's written in comic-book style and I liked the illustrations.

Excerpt from the book (after the owner introduces Marvel the cat to the ferrets, Fudge and Einstein):
Fudge said to Einstein "I hope this friend brought raisins." Einstein replied, "I love raisins." Marvel saw the ferrets and said, "What are you two? You're not cats. I know cats. You're not dogs. I know dogs. Are you rats? I love tasty--I mean--I love rats."

[Terry]

"Aw, they are so cute. Can we get ferrets?" Our pet-loving daughter loved talking about the pictures in the book. She thought Fudge & Einstein's plan turned out hilarious and was glad they could all get along. This is a cute story that has more layers than it appears on the surface.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book with graphic novel format---thsi is the story of ferrets Fudge and Einstein who are exposed to cat Marvel when their owner is pet-sitting. Marvel thinks they are rats and is eager ot eat them. Trouble ensues...until they find a common interest. Because of the format this presents a challenge as a readaloud option...best shared one on one.

[Arthur Pengerbil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

What do two ferrets named Fudge and Einstein do when they meet a cat who thinks that they would be a perfect snack?

Convince him otherwise, that's what!



For more book reviews from the HPPL Youth Department, click here.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two ferrets have a new arrival to deal with - a cat who thinks that they might be more of a tasty meal than friends. Finally the ferrets discover a way to handle this new arrival. Quirky illustrations and a fun story was a winning combination for me.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute picture book done in comic book style of two ferrets that have an unwanted feline house guest. Ferrets closely resemble rats, which makes the cat want to get quickly acquainted with these snacks... I mean friends.

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute graphic novel style picture book that tells the story of Marvel the cat visiting a home with 2 ferrets. Although Marvel threatens to eat them at first, by the end they get along.

Recommended for early readers and animal lovers.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun one for beginning readers. I like that it's a picture book in graphic novel format and the story is fun and simple to follow. I think it would be tricky to get right as a read-aloud in story time, but would be a good one-on-one option.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic novel format. Theme of enemies who learn to be friends, simple and straightforward.

[Kelly]

This is a funny book with great illustrations. I liked how the animals stood up to the cat and turned it around on him.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

adorable!! What a great introduction to graphic novels.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cat wants to eat Einstein and Fudge...how will they convince her not to?

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do two ferrets named Fudge and Einstein do when they meet a cat who thinks that they would be a perfect snack?

Convince him otherwise, that's what!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 5 and 8-year-old boys loved this story. It was also a chance for them to read in a simplified comic-style setup, which they have had little-to-no experience in.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute...and I don't often get my hands on a book featuring ferrets...

[Kate Hastings]

RL 380

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty much presented as a picture book/graphic novel.

[Brandielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comic book style. Cute.

[Miss M · Rating 3 out of 5]

ferrets doing ferret things It was an okay picture book for children.