Houndsley and Catina and the Birthday Surprise

"Published in beginning-reader format, this gentle story will appeal to children’s compassion as well as their sense of humor." — Booklist

Houndsley is sad. Not because it’s raining or because there are holes in his sweater, but because he doesn’t know when his birthday is. And now Catina is sad, too. But friends are good at cheering each other up, and Houndsley and Catina are the 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.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