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Children's Fiction Intermediate

Houndsley and Catina

Candlewick Sparks

by (author) James Howe

illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay

Publisher
Candlewick Press
Initial publish date
Apr 2013
Category
Intermediate, Values & Virtues, Friendship
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780763666385
    Publish Date
    Apr 2013
    List Price
    $7.99

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Where to buy it

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 5 to 9
  • Grade: k to 4

Description

This charming trio of chapters implicitly testifies to the adage that opposites attract. — Publishers Weekly

Catina wants to be a famous writer. Houndsley is an excellent cook. Catina thinks Houndsley is a wonder. Houndsley thinks Catina is a very good friend. So what should Houndsley say about Catina’s seventy-four-chapter memoir? And can Catina find the right words of comfort for Houndsley after the big cooking contest fiasco? The subtle dance of friendship — from holding your tongue to knowing what to say — is played out in three sweetly humorous tales about an unlikely, likable pair.

About the authors

James Howe wrote his first book, Bunnicula, for fun. He has tried to bring the same spirit of playfulness and discovery to all the books he has written since. These include picture books such as Brontorina and Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores and the beginning-reader series Pinky and Rex and Houndsley and Catina. He is also the author of The Misfits and Totally Joe, as well as numerous sequels to Bunnicula. Howe lives with his husband in an old house just north of New York City.

James Howe's profile page

MARIE-LOUISE GAY has achieved international acclaim as an author and illustrator of children’s books. She has won many awards, including two Governor General’s awards, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award, the Vicky Metcalf Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. She has also been nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Marie-Louise’s very popular Stella and Sam series has been translated into more than fifteen languages and is loved by children all over the world. Her recent books include Any Questions? and Short Stories for Little Monsters. She lives in Montreal. marielouisegay.com

Marie-Louise Gay's profile page

Editorial Reviews

Delicate watercolors capture the delight of a wintry day, and Howe's on-target portrayal of friends who get along despite bumps along the way make this special.
—Booklist

These endearing characters shine in this gentle and reflective read.
—Kirkus Reviews

Gentle, whimsical humor.
—School Library Journal, starred review

Illustrations glow with warmth and good spirits…an encouraging book on overcoming fears.
—Booklist

The lively, brisk writing is wonderfully extended in Gay’s airy watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, which keep the focus on the caring friends.
—Booklist

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

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

Read this with a beginning reader before that first beautiful and sometimes frustrating snow day.
—Chicago Tribune

A sweetly engaging story…energetic watercolors brim with personality and humor.
—Kirkus Reviews

This charming trio of chapters implicitly testifies to the adage that opposites attract.
—Publishers Weekly

Delightful . . . Marie-Louise Gay’s watercolors are sweet and cheery.
—Scholastic Parent & Child

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

An animal tale both funny and wise.
—Washington Parent

Watercolor vignettes of cozy domestic interiors give way to expansive snowy vistas... third entry in a series that calls to mind the enduring friendship between Arnold Lobel’s famous Frog and Toad
—Washington Post

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