The Bill the Cat Story: A Bloom County Epic - Hardcover

Breathed, Berkeley

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399546626 ISBN 13: 9780399546624

Publisher: Philomel Books, 2016

Synopsis

The Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the hilarious "Bloom County" comic strip is back! To help celebrate, here is the first ever Bloom County picture book, featuring fan-favorite Bill the Cat in an origin story. (Ack ack!) The perfect gift for Bloomers old and new.

An Amazon Best Book of the Year and NY Times bestseller!

Almost thirty-five years ago Berkeley Breathed launched a little-known yet laugh-inducing comic strip called "Bloom County" that was full of characters who instantly entered the public consciousness--none more so than Opus (the penguin) and Bill the Cat. Bloom County's popularity soared, it was soon syndicated nationally, had millions of daily readers, and before long its creator was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Then, nine years later, "Bloom County" sadly came to a close. It had simply ceased being fun for Berkeley Breathed.

Now, more than twenty-five years after it ended, "Bloom County" has returned in full force and humor online, with an ever-growing fanbase every bit as zealous as it was in the strip's heyday. For the comic's youngest fans, and for those who never stopped wishing for its return, here is an all-new, kid-friendly story for anyone who ever wanted to know the origin story of Bill the Cat. "Bloom County" has never been more fun!

Praise for The Bill the Cat Story

"The illustrations, a mixture of cartoons, eye-popping virtual paintings, and pencil sketches, will pull inquisitive audiences of all ages into the story."--Booklist

"[E]xtravagantly rendered artwork in luscious color."--Publishers Weekly

About this title

About the Author

Berkeley Breathed (www.berkeleybreathed.com) is the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the renowned comic strips "Bloom County," "Outland," and "Opus" which have appeared in over 1,200 newspapers worldwide and have earned Berkeley millions of loyal fans. He recently decided to bring back "Bloom County" after a 25-year absence and has been overwhelmed by the response--and by how much fun he is having. Berkeley Breathed is also the creator of the illustrated novel Flawed Dogs and the New York Times bestselling picture books Mars Needs Moms! and Pete & Pickles. He lives and works in Santa Barbara, California.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-Binkley is a lonely kid who instantly falls in love with a cat; unfortunately for him, though, his pet happens to be the brainless Bill the Cat. Modern audiences might not understand that Bill the Cat and his friend Opus the Penguin come from the old comic strip Bloom County; this may alienate some, but a deep understanding of the characters isn't necessary to enjoy the story. Bill is then quickly taken away from Binkley, leaving the boy to pine for his friend while his cat goes on an epic journey. Full-page scenes depicting Bill's many adventures, from leading his cat sled team to herding a group of elephants, certainly make the book. Brightly colored and detailed and drawn in Breathed's signature style, the images will delight fans and newcomers alike. With Opus reuniting Bill with his boy, Breathed focuses on the warmth of his characters and wackiness of the tale rather than on the satire of most of his comics. VERDICT Probably more enjoyable for adults than for kids, this title is an additional purchase.-Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI

About this edition

• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0399546626
• ISBN 13: 9780399546624
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Breathed Berkeley