NOVEMBER 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Rogelio Ramos provides authentic Latin flavor to a tale of a cat-and-mouse twosome who, assisted by cockroaches and many other friends, set out to find a missing brother. With thoughts of the folkloric CHANEQUE—creatures who entice unsuspecting children with music—fueling their imagination, will they be brave enough to enter a haunted house? Spanish words roll easily off Ramos’s tongue and fit seamlessly into the narration. Listeners may need to fast-forward to the glossary that concludes the production, as precise meanings will enrich the plot. Ramos narrates at a steady clip and uses inflections and pauses to heighten suspense and underscore humor. A.R. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
Praise for Ugly Cat & Pablo:"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 — '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 paletas." — Kirkus Reviews
NOVEMBER 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Rogelio Ramos provides authentic Latin flavor to a tale of a cat-and-mouse twosome who, assisted by cockroaches and many other friends, set out to find a missing brother. With thoughts of the folkloric CHANEQUE—creatures who entice unsuspecting children with music—fueling their imagination, will they be brave enough to enter a haunted house? Spanish words roll easily off Ramos’s tongue and fit seamlessly into the narration. Listeners may need to fast-forward to the glossary that concludes the production, as precise meanings will enrich the plot. Ramos narrates at a steady clip and uses inflections and pauses to heighten suspense and underscore humor. A.R. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2018-04-25
Ugly Cat and Pablo are back following series opener Ugly Cat & Pablo (2017); this time they are on a mission to find Tamarindo, Ugly Cat's missing brother.When Ugly Cat realizes he hasn't seen his brother in a couple of weeks he jumps to all sorts of unlikely conclusions. The favored hypothesis? That he's been taken by a chaneque—a mythical creature in Mexican folklore that lures children with his flute playing. On a tip from a hamster that lives in Tamarindo's house, the unlikely cat and mouse duo set off on a rescue mission to a haunted house. With the help of friends and some "killer cucarachas," Tamarindo's whereabouts are soon discovered. In the end, all is happily resolved, with no ghosts or chaneques involved. Knight's illustrations contribute to the silliness. His depiction of Pablo wearing a makeshift raincoat fashioned out of an old lunch bag is priceless. The visual fun gets a further boost by the distinctive typeface given to each protagonist. As with the first book, there is a liberal amount of Spanish sprinkled throughout the text, but a glossary at the end of the book is there for those who need a little help.With lots of talk about farts, some grossness, a good bit of silliness, and loyalty to friends and family as the central theme, there is everything to like in this addition to the series. (recipe) (Fantasy. 7-10)
