Upchuck and the Rotten Willy

Just wasn't for me. Maybe it would be better liked by cat fans. I didn't think the story or writing was interesting enough. The cover art and several illustrations in the book were enjoyable.

I think what really turned me off is that in the beginning of the book the narrator cat and his friend another cat are bad-mouthing a bunch of dogs they see including an apricot poodle:

"Man, look at the haircut on that pink dude. You ever see anything so ridiculous in your life?" He chuckled.

I get it that cats will sit on a fence and taunt dogs, and if they could express themselves (talk) they would probably indicate the aspects of dogs they don't like, but to me it felt like it set a bad example for kids to read and possibly think they should show more ridicule others in a similar way. It could also be as a bigger fan of dogs than cats I am prejudiced in that regard and don't like to see dogs demeaned. So for me, I would vote to find another book to read. show less

Just wasn't for me. Maybe it would be better liked by cat fans. I didn't think the story or writing was interesting enough. The cover art and several illustrations in the book were enjoyable.

I think what really turned me off is that in the beginning of the book the narrator cat and his friend another cat are bad-mouthing a bunch of dogs they see including an apricot poodle:

"Man, look at the haircut on that pink dude. You ever see anything so ridiculous in your life?" He chuckled.

I get it that cats will sit on a fence and taunt dogs, and if they could express themselves (talk) they would probably indicate the aspects of dogs they don't like, but to me it felt like it set a bad example for kids to read and possibly think they should show more ridicule others in a similar way. It could also be as a bigger fan of dogs than cats I am prejudiced in that regard and don't like to see dogs demeaned. So for me, I would vote to find another book to read. show less

Upchuck and Tom are best friends of the feline type. They hang out together every day. It’s what cats do in a dog-eat-cat world. And there are a few dogs that would love to get their teeth into Upchuck and Tom.

Life is good until Upchuck’s owner, Katie, goes away to college. Then it gets even worse when Tom’s family moves away taking Tom with them!

Upchuck starts searching for a new friend, but is seems there are only the dogs that would like to get their teeth into Upchuck. Or a skunk. Or a cow…what kind of a conversation can you have with critters who stink or only know one word?

When Upchuck falls off a fence, into the yard of a huge beast with the name Rotten Willie, Upchuck finds things aren’t always what you think. As show more terrifying as the beast I, Upchuck learns there is another side to Rotten Willie and that they have something in common.

A short, fun, chapter book with some illustrations. Great to read aloud or quietly. Kid or adult. show less

What do you get when a cat makes a mistake and gets renamed something even worse than Chuck? A book that'll charm you. I've recently been told there are more of the Upchuck and Willy books and I have definitely gotta give those a read now! I never knew and just assumed this a one off my whole childhood.

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