Jef Czekaj

The feline narrator of this amusing picture-book from author/artist Jef Czekaj at first demands that all non-cats stop reading the story, instituting a series of tests when it is brought to his attention that not everyone has obeyed his instructions. Can the reader meow like a cat? Can they purr? What about cat-like stretching - can they do that? In the end, it seems as if the reader is indeed a cat, one that is prompted to join the felines in the story in a nap...

The reader/listener never show more does find out what those eponymous 'cat secrets' are, although the little mouse who's been trying throughout the story to abscond with the volume of secrets held by the narrator, does succeed in the end. This additional layer of story, available only in the artwork, adds to the entertainment provided by Cat Secrets, a meta-fictional tale in which the narrator addresses the reader directly, and involves them in the story. Czejak's cartoon-like artwork, although not really my cup of tea, is colorful and amusing, capturing the humor of the story. Recommended to all young cat lovers, as well as to anyone looking for meta-fictional picture-books. show less

An interesting children's book. Alphabet books can be very deathly boring, but this one is both hilarious as well as a good teaching tool.

It's the story of X, who feels like in the Alphabet he's just not appreciated enough, and so he winds up calling for a vote on whether the alphabet should change its order.

The one thing I didn't love about the book was its art. My favorite children's books are those that have a little less child like art, but, still, despite the art I loved, loved, loved show more the story. show less

The feline narrator of author/artist Jef Czejak's Cat Secrets returns in this second story, tricking a dog couple into thinking that an egg is their offspring, and that they must raise the bird that hatches from it as a puppy. Many humorous misunderstandings ensue, as Papa and Mama Dog attempt to teach their tiny bird how to growl, how to roll over, and most importantly, how to bark. When the canine couple discover the ruse, they tell their adoptive child they love him anyway, and are show more immensely proud when he uses their lessons to chase the malicious cat away...

Like its predecessor, Dog Rules is an amusing tale, one which provides young children with the enjoyment of being 'in the know,' as they witness the dogs being fooled initially by the feline trickster. I can see this story being used as an adoption tale - after all, the canine parents reaffirm their love for their avian offspring, even after his true identity is revealed - but it is also a satisfying example of the prankster getting caught and given a taste of his own medicine, in the end. Like Czejak's other books, this title boasts colorful, cartoon-like artwork, which (although not really to my personal taste) works very well with the story. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed Cat Secrets, as well as to anyone looking for humorous picture-books in general. show less

Austin the dog escapes from the pet store in which he has been raised, and sets out to explore the United States in this engaging picture-book, determined to find his true home. Traveling by region, he visits all fifty of the states, learning a little bit about each as he moves along, always searching for the place where he belongs. When he finally reaches Austin, Texas, he finds what he has been seeking all along: a family of his own...

Austin, Lost in America: A Geography Adventure offers show more an entertaining way of learning about the fifty states for younger children. As our canine hero travels around the country, the colorful cartoon-style artwork offers a visual map-style representation of each state in turn, complete with capital city, while also depicting something to be found or experienced in that state. The decorative end-papers have a complete map of the United States, with a list of state capitals. Although I wouldn't describe Jef Czekaj's artwork as being exactly to my taste, I do think it works very well in this book, providing a colorful accompaniment to the informative text, and adding to the sense of fun. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining and educational picture-books about the fifty states. show less