Lost in a Good Book

Published: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Penguin
Illustrator: J. E. Morris
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3 Stars

Flubby, the cute but aloof cat, will not play outside in the snow!

It’s snowing, and Kami wants to take Flubby outside to play. But Flubby doesn’t like the snow—it’s too cold! Can Kami find a way to convince the cat to enjoy the winter wonderland?

The charming illustrations, simple text, and comic-like panels by J. E. Morris, author-illustrator of the Maud the Koala books, make this a unique format with a narrative style perfect for storytime and progressing readers. Exciting, easy-to-read books are the stepping stone a young reader needs to bridge the gap between being a beginner and being fluent.

What makes the Flubby books great is you don’t need to start in any particular order to appreciate the Kami/Flubby relationship. I came into Flubby at Morris’ third book and each one is its own story, but the more you read the more you understand Flubby and understand how he’s going to react to each new situation.

This one breaks the Flubby vibes a little by having him rolling a snowball. As enigmatic as Flubby is, he has never been overly personified beyond general cat-ness. Flubby is a gem, he can do what he likes, but I was expecting him to be turned into a little snow cat or something. I will allow him to roll a snowball. Just.

Of course he is utterly adorable as he ventures out into the snow and Morris still keeps Flubby at his most cat as he waits by the door unwilling to experience the cold. The expressions are full of emotion yet still not breaking into too much personality or humanness, perfect I think to convey that Flubby is still a cat and can be as temperamental.

The story is a gradual test of how much winter clothing can we get on Flubby before he’ll come outside and in the end it’s a pretty cute sight. These books are so fun because it keeps the human/pet relationship real and gives light to how cats really do react, all the while keeping it in the picture book universe and giving us fun moments that are a teeny bit unrealistic.

You can purchase Flubby Does NOT Like the Snow via the following

 Dymocks | Booktopia | Wordery

Blackwell’s | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Published: 21 September 2021
Publisher: Penguin
Illustrator: J. E. Morris
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3 Stars

It’s time for Flubby to take a bath, but the fussy feline won’t get in the water. Bubbles, shampoo, and even a toy cannot convince the cat to get clean. Kami is determined to get the job done, though–even if she has to get creative!

Flubby has returned with another adventure as Kami tries to give him a bath.

There are a lot more elements than in previous Flubby books. More trial and error, more opportunity to see our little Flubby’s expressions and apprehensions. Toys and the lure of bubbles aren’t enough to get Flubby into the bath and I enjoyed seeing Kami try to get Flubby into the tub.

The usual layout of words and pictures is great as we see idea opposite execution and the simple sentences bringing an amazing dead pan vibe to the whole book. I loved the little joke at the end, and as always the illustrations are divine so the extra addition after the final page is gorgeous.

Once again, these books a relatable to anyone who has a cat or any pet who is sneaky enough to escape needing a bath even when it’s for their own good. But they are also fun books to read if you don’t have a pet like this as Flubby is a great character and brings so much to the page with a simple look or flop upon the ground. It’s also good to see I’m not the only person who tries to reason with their pet when you need them to do something or cooperate.

You can purchase Flubby Will NOT Take a Bath via the following

Dymocks | Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

 Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

Published: 15 April 2020
Publisher: Penguin
Illustrator: J. E. Morris
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3.5 Stars

Flubby, the lovably lazy feline, embarks on his next non-adventure

When Kami brings home a bag full of toys for Flubby, the uninterested cat isn’t enthusiastic about the choices. A wind-up mouse? No thanks. A fish hanging from a stick? Yawn. But after Flubby rejects each offering, one unexpected option may be the best fit for Flubby after all.

The charming illustrations, simple text, and comic-like panels by J. E. Morris, author-illustrator of the Maud the Koala books, make this a unique format with a narrative style perfect for storytime and progressing readers.

Flubby returns with Kami trying to give him a nice big bag of new toys to play with. In true Flubby fashion it has very little success. What I enjoy is they are all cat based toys. This isn’t a story trying to make a cat play with unsuitable things, but Morris has captured the disinterest and attitude of a cat very well.

The illustrations are delightful once more. I loved how we get to see a lot of Flubby’s emotions and thoughts through simple facial expressions, and a solid cat stare manages to say so much.

The text and story is basic, ideal for those learning to read, but it is also comically funny and the short sentences manages to bring possibly unintentional humour to poor Kami’s situation. Seeing the hope slowly turn into uncertainty turn into disappointment that all of the toys bought Flubby won’t play with. The twist at the end is well known and expected but it is still fun to see. I have become quite fond of Flubby and wish only the best for him. Spoil him with all the things!

You can purchase Flubby will NOT Play with That via the following

 Dymocks | Booktopia

 Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust