Houndsley and Catina and the Birthday Surprise - by James Howe (Hardcover)

About the Book

Houndsley is sad because he doesn't know when his birthday is. All of a sudden Catina is sad, too, but it won't be long before the very best of friends discover a way to brighten even the saddest day.

Book Synopsis

Great friends think alike, as James Howe and Marie-Louise Gay bring a beguiling duo back for their second adventure.

Houndsley is sad. Not because it is raining or because there are holes in his sweater, but because he doesn't know when his birthday is. All of a sudden Catina is sad, too. But friends are very good at cheering each other up, and Houndsley and Catina are the very best of friends. So it won't be long before they each discover, in a most surprising way, how a first-rate friend can brighten even the saddest days.

Review Quotes

Published in beginning-reader format, this gentle story will appeal to children's compassion as well as their sense of humor. Though the setting is a cold, sometimes-bleak autumn, Gay's pencil, watercolor, and collage artwork glows with warmth, style, and quiet pizzazz. An appealing book for independent readers in the early grades, the story will also make a good fall read-aloud for preschool classes.
--Booklist

Using language appropriate for new readers, Howe crafts a knowing paean...to the care and feeding of friendship.
--Kirkus Reviews

Gay's soft watercolor-and-pencil illustrations with collage details are fun and lighthearted, and scenes are filled with activity and assorted sweet-looking animals. The ratio between text and pictures will appeal to new readers.
--School Library Journal

Gay's acrylic illustrations, enhanced by cutouts of decorative paper, emphasize the friends' kind feelings and creative enthusiasm.
--Toronto Star

A warm, gently humorous, makes-you-smile-all-over depiction of best friendship...here's hoping there are more adventures ahead for this cat and dog duo.
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About the Author

James Howe is the acclaimed author of more than seventy books for young readers, including the much-lauded Bunnicula and its sequels. He lives in Yonkers, New York.

Marie-Louise Gay is the author-illustrator of many award-winning children's books, including Rainy Day Magic. She lives in Montreal, Canada.