Reviewed by Deborah Stevenson (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Nov. 2007, Vol. 61, No. 3, p. 155).

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Chester is the lovable attention hound who wishes for Melanie Watt to write about him. With his red marker, he ensures that her story about a mouse becomes a story about him. I loved this book, feeling that it crosses a point where you wonder if Melanie has been split into a duel personality. A fun and funny book for children and adults, I highly recommend this and all books by Melanie Watt. Furthermore, the illustrations are superbly done, so my only disappointment comes from the blank area, that has remained blank, on the cover that reads (in read marker), 'place my award here.' ( )

Chester is absolutely hilarious. The book is written as if the author's cat keeps taking over the story with his red marker, in order to make it all about himself. Could be a fun story time for little ones, but it's funny enough that kids pretty far into primary school will still giggle at it. Melanie Watt really has a great sense of humor. The illustrations are really cute and funny too. ( )

Reviewed by
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Nov. 2007

The author of this book wants to tell the story her way but Chester, her cat, wants the story to be all about him and keeps drawing over her illustrations in red pen. A funny take on breaking the "fourth wall" of storytelling. ( )

What a funny story. The author was so creative with this piece. I love the drawings and the plot of book. ( )

A very funny book that any child would love to hear out loud because they might not understand the concept at first. ( )

Chester is a funny book about a cat who wants to be part of a story that the author is writing. I like this book because it is different then most books you read in the way that the author is writing directly to Chester and the reader gets to follow along with their interactions.

A great book by Melanie Watt! Again she makes it to the Blue Spruce top 10! Will be interested to see if she is as successful as she has been with our friend Scaredy Squirrel! ( )

This book was a very humorous depiction of a completely self-absorbed cat trying to upstage the writer by use of his red marker. A kind of dual back and forth between author, Melanie Watt and the annoying cat, Chester, makes this story interesting. Chester is continually changing the story line to make himself the star, so finally Melanie gives him his 'moment of fame'. To his horror, Chester ends up wearing a pink tutu, which is Melanie Watt's final act of revenge and an assault on his pride! I loved the character of Chester, despite the fact I really do not care for cats. This depiction was very telling of the personality of most cats-- annoying and self-centered! Very different story concept and very fun to read.

Personally, I didn't really like the style of this book. I thought the cat was not setting a good example as a character. It seemed like Chester was being rude and rebelling against authority of the author. I However, I could see kids thinking it was a funny book.

This is an adorable book that attempts to tell the tale of a cute mouse but instead, Chester the Cat decides to become the star of the book if he has to draw himself in or not.

Chester is a story of a several characters, the author Melanie Watt, a mouse, and of course Chester the cat. It seems that the author is trying to write a tale about a mouse, but Chester appears to be copyediting the manuscript as the story is unfolding. Chester rewrites the story in such manner to get rid of the mouse and put himself as the protagonist of the story. The author finally agrees and writes in a wardrobe change for Chester – a pick tutu.

This story reminded me of a book titled “The Tao of Pooh.” In this book the author, Benjamin Hoff, is trying to explain the Chinese philosophy of Taoism by illustrating that the favorite character of Winnie-the-Poo has a similar outlook on life as a Taoist. The author is constantly interrupted by Poo, who does not seem to realize that the author is trying to get some work done on the book.

I think that this book can be used to demonstrate point of view of a story. Obviously Chester wishes to write the story in first person, while Ms Watt is trying to write a story in third person. Perhaps this very complicated aspect of literature could be taught with this story. Along this same line, after a discussion about point of view each child could write their own story from either a first person perspective of a third person perspective based upon what they had learned. ( )

This is hilarious. Melanie Watt sets out to draw a story about a house, but her Cat Chester steals a red marker and tries to take over the story. This is a very entertaining pictuer books, with lots of visual joes as Melanie and Chester race to out draw each other. But the bit that makes it especially splendid it the wonderful drawings of Chester, they are chic full of personality, from his lazy stretch across a rug, to his outrage at being dressed in a pin tutu.
The text and the pictures are both employed to great effect telling Chester's story (or the mouse's) ( )

I absolutely love this book! I think over this term I have seemed to fallen in love with all of Melanie Watt's books. This book just makes me laugh.

Great Front Art. Chester is taking over the book using his red marker. He is changing the story and adding things to it. The front art adds to the story. The story is actually a story taking place within a story. Mouse was kicked out by Chester. He returned home with a monster with teeth, a dog. The story is changed as the cat, Chester continues to work on what he sees as a better story. The story then changes to allow Chester to be the main character in the story. The author then take liberties and dresses Chester up in a Tutu. There is also end notes Opportunity to have the students use this to discuss different parts of a book. Prior to having kids work on their own picture books.

Melanie Watt, the author, keeps on trying to write a story of a mouse, but Chester, a cat, keeps interfering. I thought this book was funny because a rude cat completely takes over the storyline. Chester taking a red pen and marking all over the illustrations are comical. I especially enjoyed when the author said, "Chester, this is where I draw the line!" and Chester writes in big red marker, "Nope, I'm drawing the line! Do not cross this line! Keep Out! Chester's Side."

This picture book is written by Melanie Watt, or should I say Chester! From the very beginning of the book Chester the cat interrupts what Melanie is writing because it is not the way he wants it. He has a big fat red marker that he uses to change what Melanie is writing. He even draws pictures of himself, the nerve! By the end of the book Melanie is really starting to get aggravated and gives Chester just what he has been wanting…..do you think Chester will approve?

I really enjoyed this book, because I think even adults can relate to this book. It seems like there is always that one person who wants everything their way and won’t stop until it’s done. I even caught myself laughing out loud when I was reading it to myself. This book make me look at situations differently now, maybe to have a little more patience and in the end it will all turn out alright.

This book would be a good way to explain to children that getting what you want all the time isn’t always the best thing. Children could even discuss “Chester” attitudes and what to do if someone has one!

The author tries to write and illustrate a book about a mouse but Chester, the cat, keeps interfering. ( )

A great perspective - Chester (the wanna-be-main-character) and Watt (the author) have a dialogue when Chester insists on being the center of the story. He finally convinces Watt to give in, much to his chagrin. Good for older (4th grade) storytime. ( )

Poor Ms. Watt is trying to write a story about a mouse, but the cat, Chester, just won't let her. Not everything about the story works for me, but I love Chester's personality as he writes "Place MY Award Here" in a circle on the cover in red pen and insists that he lives in Chesterville, "where mice weren't allowed. It was a beautiful day." Chester is also wonderfully, delightfully fat. ( )