Cartoon Saturday- Dogs and Cats

Watson, Tom. Stick Dog Slurps Spaghetti (Stick Dog #6)
October 4th 2016 by HarperCollins
Library Copy

The dogs are hungry again, and Stick Dog reluctantly admits that he ate something he didn't share-- some rope. The dogs decide that it's been a long time since they played tug of war, so send Karen (who is a dachshund and "perfectly proportioned" for the task) underneath a dumpster by the hardware store to look for another piece. There, she finds a Styrofoam takeout container with flimsy ropes in it. Poo-Poo, the food journalist of the group, compares them to the pizza they once had. Stick Dog notices that the top of the container says "Tip-Top Spaghetti" and, remembering the location, sets off on an expedition to get there. This involves much finagling of his troops to entice them up the hill, and impressive strategy to get into the kitchen and liberate the pasta. After some perilous moments, they are successful, and even find a plastic bag full of meatballs. Balls of MEAT! Aside from a freshly squashed squirrel, I can think of nothing my own dog would like better. 
Strengths: These books appeal to everyone from strong emergent readers and stressed middle schoolers to librarians who have a secret desire to hide all of the Wimpy Kid books from 8th graders. These are cleverly written have great character development. While the plots are predictable (dogs need food; dogs go in search of food; dogs eventually get food), there are enough twists, jokes, and humor that each book is fresh. 
Weaknesses: Horrible paper-over-board bindings that don't hold up to the use these receive.
What I really think: I am sad only that my own personal children were too old for these by the time they were published. High school and college students are about the only people for whom these lack appeal!


McCool, Ben et al. Grumpy Cat and Pokey (Grumpy Cat #2)
July 26th 2016 by Dynamite Entertainment
Library copy

Grumpy Cat and his more upbeat brother, Pokey, get into a series of comic book-style adventures. There are nine in this very slim volume. Even though this is ostensibly book two, there's really no plot building between stories, so the anecdotal installments could be read in any order. Grumpy Cat is always bitter and sarcastic, while his brother tries to make him a bit happier, to no avail. 
Strengths: Students will fight over this one when they see it. Comics and Grumpy Cat? Slam dunk. 
Weaknesses: Tiny, tiny print, awful smell, difficult to follow stories.
What I really think: I'm not understanding the appeal of this, but I'm not the target demographic. Had a weak moment. It was less than $8 at Baker and Taylor and will certainly get $8 worth of use.