K-Gr 2-The personable canine and feline friends continue their adventures in this early reader. Houndsley tells Catina that he is sad because he doesn't know his birth date. Worried that he has made her sad, too-she doesn't know when her birthday falls, either-he decides to surprise her with a cake. Catina is up to her own surprises, though, and arranges a birthday party for her pal. Gay's soft watercolor-and-pencil illustrations with collage details are fun and lighthearted, and scenes are filled with activity and assorted sweet-looking animals. The ratio between text and pictures will appeal to new readers.-Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

In a sweet sequel to their debut, good friends Houndsley and Catina sadly realize that they don't know when their birthdays are. Each concocts a secret remedy: Houndsley bakes a big, beautiful cake for Catina, while she knits a colorful sweater to replace his customary moth-eaten number. Their pals help get Houndsley to Catina's house and vice versa, delighted to partake in two surprise parties in one day. Gay's collaged pencil-and-watercolor illustrations depict both blustery autumn scenes-all flying leaves and unfurled umbrellas-and interiors filled with charming minutiae, from messy cook Houndsley's chocolatey footprints to brimming bookcases in both friends' homes. Using language appropriate for new readers, Howe crafts a knowing paean-filtered mainly through Houndsley's point of view-to the care and feeding of friendship. (Easy reader. 5-8)

Published in beginning-reader format, this gentle story will appeal to children’s compassion as well as their sense of humor. Though the setting is a cold, sometimes-bleak autumn, Gay’s pencil, watercolor, and collage artwork glows with warmth, style, and quiet pizzazz. An appealing book for independent readers in the early grades, the story will also make a good fall read-aloud for preschool classes.
—Booklist

Using language appropriate for new readers, Howe crafts a knowing paean…to the care and feeding of friendship.
—Kirkus Reviews

Gay’s soft watercolor-and-pencil illustrations with collage details are fun and lighthearted, and scenes are filled with activity and assorted sweet-looking animals. The ratio between text and pictures will appeal to new readers.
—School Library Journal

Gay's acrylic illustrations, enhanced by cutouts of decorative paper, emphasize the friends' kind feelings and creative enthusiasm.
—Toronto Star

A warm, gently humorous, makes-you-smile-all-over depiction of best friendship…here’s hoping there are more adventures ahead for this cat and dog duo.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

When highly sensitive friends—a charming cat and a thoughtful dog—need a narrator capable of expressing each nuance of feeling, they have a champion in Peter Pamela Rose. Houndsley's sadness brings drawn-out words and long pauses; Catina's helpful overtures result in long moments of trembling self-doubt. Ebullient friend Bert, whom Rose voices with high-pitched excitement, provides a striking contrast. As the two main characters each solve the problem of bringing joy to the other, Rose judiciously paces the story’s rising suspense and excitement. Background sound effects authenticate the adventure. A.R. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine