Is This What Your Kitty Wants To Do? (Don't Do That, Kitty Kilroy! - Cressida Cowell)

Member Name: belfin

Product:	Don't Do That, Kitty Kilroy! - Cressida Cowell
Date:	10/08/06 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Teaches children that getting there own way isn't always good

Disadvantages: None

***The Author***

I must admit I had never heard of Cressida Cowell before finding this book so I had to do a little bit of research. I found out that she not only writes books but illustrates them too and that she is actually the author of quite a few popular books, in particular How to Train Your Dragon, which was the first book in the series that features Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third. These popular books are aimed more at the 7 - 11 age group but she has also written quite a few books for younger readers of Kitty Kilroy is one.

***The Story***

Kitty Kilroy is a little girl who wants to do whatever she wants. Unfortunately, her mother spoils her fun all the time and won't let her paint on the walls, eat lots of sweets or make a huge mess. Does that sound familiar?

One day Kitty decides that her mother should go away and let her do what she wants. Kitty's mother does just that and Kitty has a ball. She sits in her pyjamas all day, eats nothing but cold cereal and ice cream and invites all her friends round to help her mess up the sitting room. Problems start though, when all her friends get tired and start to feel ill after staying up too late.

Mum arrives home just in the nick of time to send all her friends home and clean her up before getting Kitty settled in bed, which is just what Kitty wants. The story ends with Kitty dreaming of having more fun doing things she isn't allowed again and with the words, "Until tomorrow of course…."

***The Illustrations***

The pictures in this book are delightful and the expressions on both the faces of Kitty and her mother are priceless. The mischievousness mixed with the shock and horror of the mess is just perfect and I'm sure most parents would recognise these looks.

The background colours are bright and the spoken words are written in a childish print, which seems to make it more endearing. There are a lot of details in the pictures and a cat that follows Kitty's adventures through the book, gives quite a comical slant on things as we see it help her eat sweets and hide under her bed as she madly jumps on it.

***My Thoughts***

When I first read this book, I had to smile as it just seems to be an ideal way to show children that it's not always fun to do whatever they want all the time. This should be handed out to mothers when there child reaches two and the tantrums start. Although I have never had problems with my kids painting on walls, I go through a daily battle with my son making a mess of the sitting room and not wanting to tidy it up.

The pictures really make this simple story for me and each time I look at it, I spot something new that brings a smile to my face, whether it's an expression on the poor, tormented cat's face or the way Kitty is sat with her pyjamas, one slipper, a hat and a scarf on whilst she is sitting eating ice-cream, with half of it all over her face.

I'm sure most parents will find this book familiar to them and that's probably why I like it so much as I am able to associate with it on so many levels. As for my son, well he loves it too and agrees that it would be great fun to get away with jumping on his bed or staying up late and watching telly with his friends, but has realised that it's not always such a good idea when he sees the consequences.

***Other Books By Cressida Cowell***

What Shall We Do With The Boo Hoo Baby?
Daddy On The Moon
Super Sue
Super Sue At Super School
One Too Many Tigers

***Price & Availability***

Our copy is a hardback and had a publishing price of £9.99 but it doesn't seem to be available in this format anymore. It is, however, available in paperback and is published at £4.99 but is available from WH Smith for £3.99

Hardback ISBN No. 0340743859
Paperback ISBN No. 0340743867

Summary: Fun story for the under 5's