Here I am, a relf-respecting kitten just trying to survive in a real rat-eat-cat world, when the humans in my life start acting crazy. Something about the kids, the grandkids, coming to visit for Christmas. I would have run away if I had known what that meant! Mama accusing me of tearing up the presents. Noisy voices and grabby little hands. I tell you, it's a dog's world. Bite my tounge! If the grandkids are bad, they're nothing compared to the gift the kids gave Mama for Christmas...a puppy! Dumb furball. Everybody is cooing over this yappy puppy who only wants to play. Why can't he settle down like me? We're both in the doghouse now. So I got him in trouble for tearing up the kitchen. Big deal. Problem is, I feel responsible. This puppy's headed for T*R*O*U*B*L*E. How can I save him? I can't even save myself!
I read all three books of this trilogy (The Flying Flea, Callie and Me, That Furball Puppy and Me, and Chomps, Flea, and Gray Cat) as if they were just one book, which is essentially what they are. There is good continuity in plot and character in the three books, centering around the put-upon and often misunderstood little gray cat, who seems to have a bit of the middle child syndrome in this farm family of pets. I enjoyed the stories and think most cat-loving kids would also enjoy Gray's misadventures. The three books had lovely graphics that added to the story but were illustrated by three different artists and I found I like those in one and three better than the middle book since they were more naturally cat-like, and showed more personality, IMHO. The books were written by a couple of retired teachers who had a good grasp kids' reading level and attention spans, so pre-middle school kids should be able to follow along and enjoy the stories without getting lost or confused.
This is a cute Christmas book that is the middle book in a series of three books about a cat named Gray. A fun book for 2nd graders the story is told by the cat Gray.
I loved this story of "sibling" rivalry between a kitten and a puppy, told from the kitten's point of view. The authors manage to capture the essence of what it is to be a kitten and a puppy so accurately! Cat and dog owners will recognize the behavior. There is apparently a story that comes before this one, which my library system doesn't have, but which I absolutely MUST read now. Recommended for dog and cat lovers!