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.

I Need a Hug

I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-76362-909-3

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Little porcupine does not understand why no-one will cuddle her. Surely there is someone out there who will. I Need a Hug is another playful and fun story from author Aaron Blabey which taps into young children’s desires for hugs and kisses.

This picture book has no clutter, just wonderfully expressive animals and full colour glossy pages. All the text is in speech bubbles with great rhyme which removes any awkwardness that can sometimes come with reading speech bubbles aloud. It’s smooth and rhythmic.

Little Porcupine is adorable and the other animals who populate this book are portrayed with humour and liveliness. The pages pop with clear bright colour and the layout is very appealing.

The ending has a fabulous ‘Blabey’ twist, humorous and portrayed by both words and pictures working hand in hand, which gives a very satisfying finish.

This is a perfect story to read to pre-schoolers, cuddled up together on the couch or at bedtime. An entertaining book, it will be loved by a wide readership, young and old.

Aaron Blabey is an award winning Australian author whose picture book Pig the Pug was recently shortlisted for many awards including the CBC Awards and the Australian Book Design Awards. As well as many picture books, he has also written the hilarious series, The Bad Guys, junior chapter books for middle grade readers.

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-578-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Brian is an unusual piranha. He enjoys eating fruit and vegetables. And even though the rest of the piranhas think he’s crazy, Brian is determined to get his friends to try them.

I love everything this author produces and this light-hearted picture book is no exception. Here, Blabey’s sense of humour is perfectly pitched to grab the attention of all, from toddlers through to early primary aged children.

‘Or would you rather a bowl of peas?’

‘Stop it Brian. We eat knees.’

The muddy green piranhas are wonderfully drawn, with expressive eyes and mouth. The brightly coloured fruit and vegetables contrast with skin toned feet, knees and other body parts of unwary swimmers as Brian tries to tempt the other piranhas with his fruit platter.

The simplicity of the story-line and text reads well with a catchy rhythm and great rhyme, perfect for reading aloud. The repetitive element which runs through the story will appeal to young children, while older readers will be happy to read this book as many times as they are asked. The ending will have all readers, young and old, giggling each time.

Please don’t overlook the end-papers which give definitions - Blabley’s anyway- of both piranhas and bananas.

I’m sure every preschooler will be able to guess which body part Brian’s friends all like best!

The Bad Guys: Episode 1

The Bad Guys: Episode 1 by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-76015-042-6

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Aaron Blabey is back. And this time he has created a junior chapter book/graphic novel which should be read by everyone between the ages of seven and ninety.

Mr Wolf is sick of being seen as the bad guy. So, along with his somewhat reluctant friends Mr Shark, Mr Snake and Mr Piranha, he sets out to prove to the world that he is a nice guy. And the best place to start is with rescuing a cat. But what if the cat does not want to be rescued by a gang of nice guys with really big teeth who surround the base of the tree? And can they survive Mr Piranha’s constantly bad gas? Can Mr Snake stop swallowing the wrong things? What did happen to Mr Shark’s hat? Are these characters really capable of being nice guys? This first episode of The Bad Guys answers most of these questions and many more in a laugh-aloud roller coaster adventure.

Chapter headings such as Cruising for Trouble set the tone for each chapter well, and the text and pictures work hand in hand to create the humour and characters of the story. The humour is dry and sarcastic and the four bad guys have very distinctive, individual personalities. The illustrations of the laid-back shark, a somewhat sly snake and an often car-sick piranha are fabulous. Mr Wolf experiences so many emotions throughout – frustration being a top contender - which are all depicted with a variety of facial expressions that will have the reader in stitches.

I really enjoyed this book. I laughed aloud so often that my family kept asking me what I was reading. Then they devoured it themselves when it was their turn. I hope the next instalment is out soon.