Earth Tigerlets, as Explained by Professor Xargle - Hardcover

Willis, Jeanne

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0525447326 ISBN 13: 9780525447320

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers, 1991

Synopsis

The alien Professor Xargle explains all about Earth Tigerlets, known on this planet as felines

About this title

Reviews

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Readers, especially cat owners, will enjoy this satirical look at kittens and their owners from an alien's point of view. As in her book about babies, Earthlets (Dutton, 1989), Willis's Professor Xargle explains that Earth Tigerlets come in different patterns, shapes, and styles. Students are told about the creatures' personal hygiene, eating and sleeping habits, and some of their recreational activities. Ross's watercolor cartoons work hand-in-hand with Willis's zany and entertaining, tongue-in-cheek text. Outlined in pen and ink, they humorously convey a woman's shock as a kitten climbs up her leg, as well as the happiness of a purring cat eagerly awaiting its dinner. However, despite the picture-book format and classification, the book's deadpan humor will be best appreciated by more sophisticated independent readers. All in all a fun-filled romp that's sure to be a hit, particularly with those already familiar with Professor Xargle's lessons.
- Rachel S. Fox, Port Washington Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Fresh from his lectures on Earthlets and Earth Hounds, the zany Xargle takes an entertaining look at Earth Tigerlets, otherwise known as cats. This playful alien's view of the friendly felines' antics is full of hilarious misconceptions--Tigerlets attacking "the wooden monsters that live inside the earthdwelling" with their "sharp thorns"; planting "brown stinkseeds" ("These stinkseeds never grow"); or singing in the moonlight and waiting for "Earthlings to applaud them with flying footwear." Willis seems to have hit her stride with this third book in the Xargle series: her writing is fresh and fun, the scope of her imagination limitless. In Ross's loose, loopy illustrations these Tigerlets--"in patterned or plain, in a variety of shapes and styles"--are endearing in their eccentricity. Children may miss some of the subtleties in this witty picture book, but parents will delight in explanations. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Though the first (Earthlets, 1989) in this series of comical lectures by an extraterrestrial pedant concerning what he describes as some of Earth's more bizarre species is still the funniest, these misconstructions of feline motives and behavior (``Earth Tigerlets...leave squishy puddings on the stairs so the Earthling has something soft to step on when he has forgotten his socks'') are also pretty funny, especially as rendered in Ross's vigorous, wickedly satirical pictures. (Picture book. 4+) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0525447326
• ISBN 13: 9780525447320
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Ross Tony
• Number of pages: 32