Flubby will NOT Play with That (#2) by J. E. Morris

20 Feb 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 15 April 2020Goodreads badge
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

Flubby Does NOT Like Valentine’s Day by J.E. Morris

06 Feb 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 26th December 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher: Penguin
Illustrator: J. E. Morris
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3.5 Stars

Flubby, the cute but aloof cat, is not a fan of Valentine’s Day!

Kami wants to give Flubby a gift for Valentine’s Day. But cats can’t read cards, and flowers make Flubby sneeze! Can Kami find the perfect present for her pal?

Once we get Flubby into the holidays the stories falter a little, but the sentiment is still there, as is Flubby’s Flubbyness. I love that Flubby doesn’t need any gifts, and like we see with the toys in previous books, Flubby is a cat of simple means. However Kami still wants to shower him with love because she loves him so much, which is something all pet owners can relate to.

I loved the ending, Morris always manages to wrap up each book with a simple scene or line that encapsulates everything and this book is no different. As Kami tries to shower Flubby with gifts it’s soon discovered that sometimes simple is best.

The illustrations are still cute but there are a lot more close ups and dramatics. There is something to be said about the formulaic structure of previous books but this one works just fine.

You can purchase Flubby Does Not Like Valentine’s Day via the following

Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Amazon | Amazon Aust

 

 

Flubby is NOT a Good Pet (#1) by J. E. Morris

09 Jan 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 23rd April 2019Goodreads badge
Publisher: Penguin
Illustrator: J. E. Morris
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4.5 Stars

Meet Flubby–the lovably lazy feline who prefers a purr-fectly laid-back lifestyle!

Flubby is a big, sleepy cat who refuses to do the things that other pets do. He won’t sing, catch, or even jump! But when a scary situation brings Flubby and his owner together, they realise they really do need each other–and that makes Flubby a good pet after all.

After discovering Flubby will NOT Go to Sleep I have tracked down more Flubby’s and this one doesn’t disappoint (unlike Flubby’s abilities).

What I love about this book is we just rag on Flubby for the entire book but it is still so sweet and I love it. The illustrations are simple but convey so much meaning and we get a lot of Flubby’s personality through them. I love that poor Flubby is being compared to other pets and isn’t gaining any points, but I also love that by the end we accept Flubby despite no discerning skills.

The illustrations are simple but there isn’t a lot to illustrate in terms of story. We see Kami and we see Flubby, that’s all we need for a sweet and funny story.

You can purchase Flubby is NOT a Good Pet via the following

QBD |  Dymocks | Booktopia

  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Amazon | Amazon Aust

Flubby will NOT Go to Sleep (#3) by Jennifer E. Morris

12 Dec 2025 1 Comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , , ,

Published: 21st September 2021Goodreads badge
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Illustrator: J. E Morris
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Flubby, the cute but aloof cat, refuses to hit the hay in this gentle story perfect for bedtime!

Kami makes a new bed for Flubby, but the fussy feline won’t settle into slumber. A squishy pillow, a warm blanket, and even a bedtime snack are not enough to do the trick! Flubby finally drifts off to dreamland with the help of a friend.

I honestly could not tell you what it is about this book. It’s either the cover, or the story itself, but I have found myself picking it up and reading it every time it crosses my path at work.

Morris has already started off strong with a brilliant name like Flubby, then we get the cover image. I’m already hooked before we even open the book.

There are a lot of “animals not going to sleep” genre books which are meant to replicate the human child who it’s being read to, but this is a rare case of an actual pet not going to sleep. As an owner of a dog who also will on occasion NOT Go to Sleep, I think I resonated with this story a little too much.

I understand this is a book where children might be using it to learn to read or whatever so it’s simple, but the tone of the writing, and the deadpan look on Flubby’s face is amazing and I adore every page.

The logical options behind why Flubby won’t go to sleep are also not unheard of with my fluffball so I get it, Flubby, but it’s amazing to read every time.

I have discovered there are more in the Flubby series so I now need to seek those out and see what else Flubby has been up to.

You can purchase Flubby Will NOT Go to Sleep via the following

Dymocks | Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

The Duck Never Blinks by Alex Latimer

03 Oct 2025 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , ,

Published: 11 July 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Illustrator: Alex Latimer
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  –3.5 Stars

Do you see that duck over there?
That duck doesn’t blink.
Even if you look away then look back real quick.
Even if you tell it a really funny joke!
Perfect for fans of interactive stories like Do Not Lick This Book and Duck! Rabbit!, The Duck Never Blinks will have kids and adults alike bawling with laughter as they spend time with this one very sly duck.

I like books where the narration addresses the reader, but in a way where the author is trying to tell us about their woes. It’s like Latimer has pulled us aside and said, ‘hey, see that duck? It hasn’t blinked.’ And now we’re being pulled into their situation to help solve it.

In the same vein of the Pigeon series, I like that the story involves studying a creature. The creature in question is a duck, the most seagull looking duck you’ve ever seen, but a duck all the same. The comical design of the duck is great, and it is a design that plays well into the never blinking because despite the basic design, you can feel it staring into your soul.

It is a good book to read aloud and there are fun activities to do to help make the duck blink like shouting, telling jokes, and sad stories. Latimer uses the layout well to show the passing of time and they keep the focus on the duck with no real background or distraction.

It’s a cute story and one that is predictable in a fun way that gives satisfaction to the reader. It’s fun to watch this exasperated narrator try their best to make a duck blink and while you never find out why they need to see it, it’s great to watch them try.

You can purchase The Duck Never Blinks via the following

QBD |  Dymocks | Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

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