Dive into the whimsical world of Ugly Cat and his dapper mouse companion, Pablo, in Isabel Quintero’s delightful children’s book, “Ugly Cat.” This isn’t just any cat; Ugly Cat is on a mission for a paleta, a delicious ice pop, and his loyal friend Pablo is ready to orchestrate a plan to get him one. Their scheme involves a little girl enjoying a coconut paleta in the park, but as with most grand plans, things hilariously go awry. Instead of being intimidated by Pablo’s antics, the little girl is charmed, thinking Pablo would be a perfect treat for her pet snake! Adding to the comical chaos, there’s a possibility that Ugly Cat might have accidentally swallowed Pablo amidst all the commotion.
This dynamic duo, Ugly Cat and Pablo, is an unlikely pair that will instantly win over young readers with their ridiculously silly escapades and shared love for tasty snacks. Quintero crafts a world where humor and heart intertwine, making “Ugly Cat” a memorable read.
What makes “Ugly Cat” so captivating? As Pablo would exclaim, “Oh my galleta!” This book is genuinely charming, wonderfully silly, and utterly delightful. From the very first page, readers are drawn into the adventures of Ugly Cat and Pablo. They embody the classic odd couple dynamic: Ugly Cat, with his singular focus on food, and Pablo, always in pursuit of adventure. Quintero’s writing shines through her snappy dialogue. While some vocabulary might stretch the average elementary school reader, this becomes a fantastic opportunity for interactive read-aloud sessions, introducing new words in both English and Spanish. The seamless integration of Spanish throughout the book is particularly commendable; it’s not italicized or treated as ‘other,’ but naturally woven into the characters’ conversations, celebrating bilingualism effortlessly.
Beyond the laughter, Quintero subtly incorporates valuable lessons about friendship, the importance of listening, and resolving misunderstandings through communication. “Ugly Cat” firmly plants itself in the buddy animal comedy genre, guaranteeing high kid appeal. The urban park setting is vividly depicted, making readers almost as hungry as Ugly Cat himself, thanks to the mouth-watering descriptions of street food. Excitingly, “Ugly Cat” is part of a series, promising more giggle-inducing adventures for young fans of Ugly Cat and Pablo.
Scholastic deserves accolades for the book’s excellent design and supplementary content. Each character, Ugly Cat and Pablo, has a distinct font for their dialogue, lending a comic book feel even to pages without word bubbles in the illustrations. Visual learners will appreciate the pictures on almost every page, which beautifully complement the text. The inclusion of a glossary at the back conveniently translates the Spanish words, and a delightful bonus is the recipe for Ugly Cat’s favorite treat, paletas, encouraging readers to engage with the story beyond the pages.
TEACHING WITH “UGLY CAT”:
The well-developed characters and distinct setting of “Ugly Cat” make it an ideal choice for elementary school book groups. Students can delve into discussions about character motivations, explore the misunderstandings that drive the plot, and make predictions at the suspenseful chapter endings. A creative activity could involve students writing alternative endings to certain incidents in the book, allowing them to reimagine character choices and outcomes.
Another enriching project would be comparing the friendship in “Ugly Cat” to other famous literary animal friendships, such as those in classic tales like “Frog and Toad” or “George and Martha,” or contemporary stories like “The Story of Diva and Flea” by Mo Willems. Students could also draw comparisons between the park and street settings of Paris in “Diva and Flea” and the urban park depicted in “Ugly Cat and Pablo,” fostering observational and comparative skills.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Isabel Quintero, a talented writer and daughter of Mexican immigrants, brings her rich cultural background to her stories. Born and raised in Southern California’s Inland Empire, she holds degrees in English from California State University, San Bernardino. Her debut novel for young adults, “Gabi, A Girl in Pieces,” garnered numerous accolades, including the 2015 William C. Morris Award and the California Book Award Gold Medal. “Ugly Cat and Pablo,” her first chapter book series with Scholastic, launched in Spring 2017, marking her foray into children’s literature. Quintero also authored a graphic novel biography about photographer Graciela Iturbide, published by Getty Publications in 2018. Her poetry appears in various literary magazines, including “The Great American Literary Magazine” and “The Pacific Review.” Connect with her on Twitter @isabelinpieces or explore her website laisabelquintero.com to learn more about her work.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER: Cecilia Cackley, based in Washington DC, is a versatile performing artist and children’s bookseller. She creates engaging puppet theater for adult audiences and nurtures young minds through playwriting and creative drama workshops. Her passion for bilingual education, literacy, and immigrant advocacy is reflected in her theatrical works, including bilingual children’s plays produced by GALA Hispanic Theatre. Discover more about her endeavors at www.witsendpuppets.com.
