Vanished! The World’s #1 Cat Video Star has disappeared! Or has she? As a diabolical mystery unravels around her, Princess Beautiful is plunged into a terrible world where ‘trending� isn’t a thing, danger lurks around every corner, and cucumbers are no laughing matter. She’s jumped out of the frying pan and into ... Cat on the Episode 2, Cucumber Madness!
Aaron is an Australian author of children's books and artist who until the mid-2000s was also an actor. His award winning picture books include Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley, The Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon and the best-selling Pig the Pug.
In the field of acting, he is probably best known for his lead roles in two television dramedies, 1994's The Damnation of Harvey McHugh, for which he won an Australian Film Institute Award, and 2003's CrashBurn, before retiring from performance in 2005.
I asked my six year old how many stars from 1-5 and she said “all the stars in the world.� Her reason that it was good and she loves the cat and the goat. We giggled together so much throughout. Thankful to Netgalley and Scholastic for this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Such a fun book! I also loved the bit of the news in the beginning and it was a good conversation opener to talk with kids about the news if parents so choose.
"Cat on the Run: Book Two" is a fun and zany graphic novel adventure. Written by Aaron Blabey, the talented author behind the beloved "Bad Guys" series, this book continues the story of a pampered cat who discovers the world isn't quite what they thought it was and without the internet.
The plot is action-packed and brimming with quirky adolescent humor and fun characters that will particularly resonate with tweens. Cat lovers will love the laser light and silly play on the internet phenomenon of cats being afraid of cucumbers, which is cleverly woven into the narrative alongside a memorable villain.
The illustrations, predominantly in black and white, are lively and engaging, perfectly complementing the whimsical tone of the story. Aaron Blabey's distinct artistic style adds an extra layer of enjoyment, making each page a visual treat.
My ten-year-old couldn't stop laughing while reading this one, and it was a joy to see them so engaged with a book. We can't wait to see what happens in the sequel.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.
As someone who is a huge cat lover, I really enjoyed this book, and I know I would've loved this book if it had been released when I was a child. This book will provide a lot of entertainment for young boys and girls alike. The illustrations were also well done. This book was super cute! Highly recommend!
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Can't say I'm sure what I just read but it seems it was a children's graphic novel that very cleverly teaches them about how easily people can be manipulated to believe what they are on the internet. Actually very well done and I even want to know what happens next...I think.. I recommend this as long as you can answer the questions that the kiddies may have about the world you're leaving them.
To be published 8/6/24 by Scholastic
Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
After Princess Beautiful's adventures in Cat of Death, she was left in a perilous position. Worldwide news media is in a frenzy, predicting that she wants to end the world. She does, after all, have a head full of nuclear codes. Her boyfriend, Catrick Cash, maintains that she is innocent, but Marshall Cheeseman is ready to hunt her down. Princess Beautiful has been kidnapped, and when she comes out of the tranquilizer gun medicine, she finds that her captor is Marv, who knows what it is like to be a scapegoat. Yes, he is actually a goat, but he really wants to help the cat on the run out. He has taken her to Bratislava, and sets her off on a self-guided training course for which she is using videos on the Pizza Guy's phone. This, unbeknownst to her, alerts Marshall Cheeseman to her whereabouts. Marv had seen the scorpion on Princess Beautiful's computer screen when she was ostensibly downloading nuclear codes, and lured her into his van by painting a scorpion on it, but has pinpointed the real source to a scorpion shaped set of islands. He borrows a boat from a friend, and soon the two are off to uncover whatever secretes can be found there. Princess Beautiful shares with Marv her tragic origin story; she was going to a good college, planning to have a useful and successful career, when her friend scared her with a cucumber, and the video went viral. She made several other videos so she didn't look foolish, and a social media star was born. Once on the island, they see some actual scorpions, which don't bother our intrepid heroine, but also a giant cucumber patch, which throws her into a temporary tizzy. This is, of course, what Marshall Cheeseman captures on video when he arrives, and the media again posit this as proof she is a danger to the world. Catrick shows up with his father. Marv wants to speak to her right away, and she has to choose whom to trust. She chooses to talk to Marv, and he helps her to understand what is going on with the Cashes. It's truly frightening, and certainly sets the stage for book number three.
I'm not quite sure how much younger readers will understand about the media frenzy and Tiffany Fluffit's scare tactics, but this is goofy enough that it doesn't matter. This concentrates more on Princess Beautiful's survival rather than her social media presence, but also addresses some of the pitfalls that exist when one's life is lived in public. Many of my students list as their career aspirations "YouTuber", so Princess Beautiful's notoriety will be taken seriously by the tween set.
There are lots of inside jokes that will make this appeal to older readers as well; some of the training scenes are reminscent of The Karate Kid, and Marv's explanation of what a scapegoat is was excellent. There are other Easter eggs, I'm sure; I didn't know that cats being scared by cucumbers was a thing on the internet, but it apparently is. My students will know this, and understand the title right away.
Blabey's illustrations are always exuberant, and filled with silly characters and improbably situations. I imagine that breakfast in his house is amusing. "What's a sillier sounding place for Princess Beautiful to be... Bratislava or... Schenectady? You're right. If she's in Eastern Europe, there can be a joke about too much sedative." I do enjoy the tiny bits of red accents in the drawings, which are expecially delightful when they show up in hair bows or cell phone alerts.
Blabey's Bad Guys series is something of a comfort read for middle schoolers, and I'm sure that they will enjoy the zany, pandemonium filled Nutty Bar that is Cat on the Run. Hand this to fans of Angleberger's The Two-Headed Chicken, Rex's Fangbone, Brockington's Castronauts, or the Geronimo Stilton books.
Aaron Blabey's "Cat on the Run in Cucumber Madness" is a rollicking ride through a world of whimsy, wit, and pure hilarity. In this uproarious tale, readers are whisked away on a wild adventure alongside a mischievous feline protagonist who finds himself caught up in a series of absurd and delightful escapades.
At its core, "Cat on the Run in Cucumber Madness" is a celebration of imagination and the joy of letting go of inhibitions. Blabey's writing is infused with a sense of irreverent humor and boundless creativity, inviting readers to embrace the absurdity of life and revel in the sheer silliness of it all. From the very first page, it's clear that anything can happen in this zany world, and readers will find themselves eagerly turning pages to see where the next twist and turn will take them.
One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its endearing characters. The titular cat is a lovable scoundrel, with his witty banter and devil-may-care attitude making him an irresistible protagonist. Alongside him are a colorful cast of characters, each with their own quirks and charms, who add depth and hilarity to the story.
Moreover, "Cat on the Run in Cucumber Madness" is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and clever wordplay that will delight readers of all ages. Blabey's writing is fast-paced and energetic, with jokes and gags that land with perfect timing and precision. Whether it's a madcap chase scene or a pun-filled exchange between characters, there's never a dull moment in this uproarious romp.
That being said, what truly sets "Cat on the Run in Cucumber Madness" apart is its heart. Beneath the humor and hijinks lies a message of friendship, courage, and the importance of being true to oneself. Blabey's storytelling is as heartfelt as it is hilarious, leaving readers with a warm glow of satisfaction long after the final page is turned.
In conclusion, "Cat on the Run in Cucumber Madness" is a delightful read that is sure to leave readers of all ages grinning from ear to ear. Aaron Blabey's talent for crafting engaging characters and uproarious situations shines brightly in this charming tale, making it a must-read for anyone in need of a good laugh and a touch of whimsy. Whether you're a cat lover, a fan of clever wordplay, or simply looking for a hilarious adventure, this book is sure to hit the spot.
There is a cat who became the world’s biggest internet sensation. Princess Beautiful was tricked with a cucumber, and the video of her freaking out went viral. She then made more videos, so she wouldn’t look like an idiot with that first video, and her other videos went even more viral. Princess Beautiful became the star of the internet. And then she accidentally got ahold of the nuclear codes and went on the run.
She got caught though, and was sent to prison, and that’s where we start this story. Someone appears to break her out of her jail cell, and before she knows it, she’s waking up on the island of Bratislava. Princess Beautiful was broken out of jail by a goat named Marv who tells her that he knows she’s innocent. Because he was once accused of something he didn’t do. He could tell that she was a scapegoat too. (It’s just a coincidence that he’s a scapegoat and a goat.)
So Marv makes sure that Princess Beautiful is armed with nunchucks, and she uses the internet to watch videos to teach her how to use them. So she’s ready when they finally go to the missile silo, to try to figure out what’s really going on. But they’re interrupted by the marshal that’s wanting to put Princess Beautiful back in jail as well as by the wealthy media tycoon who is trying to get Princess Beautiful on his side. The video of this gets uploaded live and breaks the internet.
And then things get really crazy.
Cat on the Run in Cucumber Madness! is the second Cat on the Run book, from Aaron Blabey, the same mad genius who brought us the Bad Guys books. It’s whimsical, funny, and whip-smart. There are lots of illustrations that bring the story to life, and the humor has layers, so there are giggles for the adults as well as the kids.
Cat on the Run in Cucumber Madness! is lots of fun for cat lovers of all ages, and it’s the type of book I would have read over and over as a kid. Or as an adult. My one complaint is that it ends on a cliffhanger, so I’ll have to get the next book to find out what happens next. But it’s worth it, even if just for the scene where Princess Beautiful uses her nunchucks. It’s just so clever.
Egalleys for Cat on the Run in Cucumber Madness! were provided by Scholastic through NetGalley, with many thanks, but I liked it so much I bought the Kindle version for myself.
I read a digital ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley.
I didn't love the first book in this series but decided to give this second book a chance. I liked it a lot better! Fans of The Bad Guys will enjoy this new story with a few familiar faces. There is a lot of humor in the book about the internet and our viral video obsessed culture. I'm not totally sure that kids will get that the book is parodying the real world (for example, at one point you see a message from someone saying the reporter is creating excess fear without factual information. Then there are follow up messages of people just absolutely shutting the first person down and the first person saying something along the lines of "I'm sorry. You're right. I will blindly follow this reporter.") So as an adult reading that, I get the joke but not sure younger readers will. Younger readers will probably enjoy the silly antics that Princess Beautiful gets involved in during this sequel though.
I will likely purchase this for my school library but not overly promote.
I am middle-aged, but I buy and read mountains of mostly graphic novels that are destined for my 10-year old daughter. She devours all sorts of graphic novels, but visuals are important to her. She loved The Bad Guys movie, so I thought she might like a graphic novel by this author.
I received this book as an ARC and both of us read it, but we were both disappointed. This is a sequel to Book #1 in a series, and both are in a black and white (greyscale) style in terms of visuals - with a occasional pops of red. My daughter did not like the absence of color, and she also didn't like the artistic style of the storytelling. I agreed with her. Others who have enjoyed previous work by this author may certainly feel differently, but this one just wasn't for us.
Picking up where book #1 left off, Princess Beautiful has vanished and everyone believes she is now a villain. In the second installment we find what has happened to Beautiful and who has taken her. Is she truly the villain everyone has painted her out to be? Will she find a way out?
Overall rating 3 /5 Blabey’s humor is spot on for children, both of my kids enjoyed the sly jokes and silliness. The news reporter sections were an interesting way to move the storyline along. We have not read the first book so it was a little confusing on what was happening. We wished there was more background for young readers who may pick up this book to read before the first one.
Thanks to Kiran at Scholastic for this copy of the book.
Aaron Blabey produces fun graphic novels which I know are loved at school (we can't get enough graphics to keep up with demand!) Perfect for all those Bunny Vs Monkey and InvestiGators fans we have.
Princess Beautiful the cat was on her way to prison for downloading nuclear launch codes- when she disappeared! But how she was in a prison van....which was being followed. But who by?
And why? The Princess and her captor have to prove her innocence, before anybody finds them. However, there is danger...and don't mention cucumbers!
Fun story, excellent graphics. Released 12th September.
Graphic Novel The suspense builds as Princess Beautiful connects with Marv, a goat who has been a scapegoat so wants to help her. Together, they figure out what the scorpion symbol means and travel to a small island. There, they encounter guards and a hidden silo. Further betrayal happens when someone she trusted is actually part of the plot to destroy the internet and replace it with a new network so one man can take control of the planet. The book ends with everyone being brainwashed to believe this man is the ruler and the new "facts" are how it has always been.
I wasn't crazy about the first volume of this series but wanted to give it another chance.
The thrill is gone, Aaron Blabey.
I just don't like the main character and I felt like they were yelling (IN ALL CAPS!!!) the whole book. I'm sure they'll change as the series develops... but I dislike them so much that I'm not gonna stick around and find out.
More like Matt on the Run... away from these books.
(I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.)
3 stars = Good, solid, fine
The beginning of this was a bit of a slog, but the island has some funny moments and the big reveal at the end was unexpected. I didn't like this enough to stick with the series - It's just not a great fit for me.
I read the first book in this series this morning when my 8 year old son ran up and said "you HAVE to read this!" It was funny enough and then we happened to see the sequel later in the day whilst shopping at Target so I just read it standing in the aisle. This one is just as funny as the first and worth the time.
Cat on the Run in Cucumber Madness is another fun adventure with the Cat on the Run crew. It's whimsical and delightful. The characters are charming and it's a great choice for readers who are moving from picture books to chapter books. A great graphic novel and story from Aaron Blabey!
Without spoiling too much, we get a little backstory on how Princess Beautiful became an internet sensation. And Beautiful meets a scapegoat, figuratively and literally.
And there is a twist villain in this book...
Book 3 cannot come fast enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Wild, madcap adventures with two friends, no way to know what will happen next, and true friendship -- this book was so much fun. It never lets up from the first moment all the way to the end. Don't read this unless you want to have fun! Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
Cucumbers! This was kind of funny. But Mr. Blabey always follows the same formula it seems like. Nothing really seems to happen. I know these are for kids so I probably have no room to talk. I did enjoy the story somewhat. The scapegoat was my favorite character. He was pretty funny. And it does lead to a cliffhanger and I am kind of curious where the story is going to lead. So I may read book 3�
I just don’t find this series to be very funny. I’ll see what students think when they read this second Princess Beautiful installment. Many of the humor seems like it will be missed by elementary school readers.
This made me chuckle! Secrets, lies, world domination! Loved the use of red against the black and white! Perfect for cat fans� loads of cat related lols in this. Love the promise of the third book too.
I read this novel to my son. I asked him what we are rating the book. His rating is 10 out of 10, but be warned ⚠️ about a cliffhanger. (He was not prepared and said we needed to warn everyone.) His favorite part was Princess' fear of cucumbers 🥒 and how she became friends with a goat 🐐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This one was the slightly better than the first one, but I found myself doing a lot of editing and explaining when reading aloud, and I will not be picking up any further ones in the series.
A fun sequel to book one, though felt a bit light when compared to book one and to the way the Bad Guys series unfolded. Still a lot of laughs and my son and I enjoyed some of the pun humour within.