Cat on the Run- Episode 3: Hidden Layers

Cat on the Run- Episode 3: Hidden Layers by Aaron Blabey. Scholastic 2025. Paperback JF graphic novel 189 pages. RRP $16.99. ISBN 9781761294549.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

‘From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Guys comes another hilarious illustrated series starring a pampered cat who is way tougher than anyone realizes.’ (Amazon)

Brains washed! Internet wiped! Villains unmasked! Who knew being the World’s #1 Cat Video Star could be so dangerous? This is it! Princess Beautiful has had enough! It’s time to clean out the litter tray. It’s time for CAT ON THE RUN- EPISODE THREE!

This is the promotional paragraph on the Scholastic website. Those familiar with the first two books will no doubt pick up on this latest storyline, where the President of the World-Thaddeus Cash (a large cat who, strangely, has a hairstyle and clothing the same as a current world leader), is trying to brainwash the world at large into believing in him. Princess Beautiful is out to stop him. Thaddeus tries to force Princess into an engagement with his son, Catrick. But she has other ideas, especially after Thaddeus wipes video interviews from the internet. Princess foils his plans and ends up as Madam President.

This graphic novel has a lot of cartoon-style action illustrations with minimal dialogue. It is aimed at the 7-10-years of age readership.