Fuddles

by Frans Vischer, Frans Vischer (Illustrator)

Overview

From Disney animator Frans Vischer comes the story of Fuddles, a lazy housecat who finally sneaks out for the first time in his life and gets wrapped up in an adventure he never expected!

Fuddles is a fat, lazy housecat who’s never been in the Great Outdoors. One day, his humans leave the door open a crack and Fuddles seizes the chance to slip out, but things aren’t quite as he expected. In a series of hilarious mishaps, including a run-in with the neighborhood dog, he realizes that life as he’d known it was actually pretty good. Told with deadpan humor and charming art, Fuddles is sure to steal readers’ hearts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416991557
Publisher:	Aladdin
Publication date:	05/03/2011
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	500L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Frans Vischer has worked in the animation industry for over thirty years. He is the author and illustrator of the middle grade novel, Jimmy Dabble, and the Fuddles picture book series. His very fat cat was the inspiration for Fuddles. Mr. Vischer and his family live in Glendale, California. Visit him online at FransVischer.com and PamperedFatCat.Wordpress.com.

Frans Vischer has worked in the animation industry for over thirty years. He is the author and illustrator of the middle grade novel, Jimmy Dabble, and the Fuddles picture book series. His very fat cat was the inspiration for Fuddles. Mr. Vischer and his family live in Glendale, California. Visit him online at FransVischer.com and PamperedFatCat.Wordpress.com.

Editorial Reviews

This story about a coddled cat contains few surprises, although Vischer's illustrations are both lively and skillful. When Fuddles suddenly decides his life needs adventure, he's shocked when, for the first time, he's told no. "You're not allowed to go outside," says his owner. Undeterred, the befuddled Fuddles dreams of "scaling mountains and fighting ferocious foes," and when his chance for escape arrives, he takes it. But what awaits is a series of slapstick misadventures as Fuddles ends up plopped into a disgusting birdbath, laughed at by squirrels, chased by a dog, and hopelessly lost. Vischer (Jimmy Dabble) shows all sides of Fuddles's personality: his daring, thought-bubble fantasies (snagging a fish from a raging river or going head-to-head with a bear) contrast with the royal treatment he receives at home as well as the reality of life on the street (er, cul-du-sac). The book's message, though, runs counter to the popular wisdom of encouraging children to follow their dreams: Fuddles begins and ends the book as a pampered cat, one who has learned that staying among "friendly, familiar faces" is much better than seeking adventure. Ages 4–7. (May)

Publishers Weekly

PreS-Gr 1—Fuddles is a large and very pampered black-and-white tuxedo cat who yearns for adventure and the great outdoors. To prepare himself, he starts "a strict exercise regimen. (But not too strict.)" Lively cartoon illustrations digitally rendered show the lethargic feline lackadaisically tapping a ball (exercise) and eating lots of food (the not-too-strict part!). Once he does manage to sneak outside, matters deteriorate quickly: the birds and squirrels are not easy prey, the trees are not a cinch to climb, and the neighbor's dog is definitely not friendly. Chastened and lost, Fuddles is finally found by his family and gratefully lapses back into his usual routine as a spoiled house cat. Although not an unusual subject, this oversize story is full of fun with large, expressive pictures of the inimitable character as he discovers the challenges of the outdoors. Certainly the book is a candidate for a themed storytime or a bedtime read to chuckle over. Most libraries should make the acquaintance of Fuddles.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

School Library Journal

A pampered, protected house cat turns outdoor adventurer when he escapes into the front yard of his residential neighborhood and encounters reality.

Fat, flaccid and totally spoiled by his family, feline Fuddles lives a life filled with eating, sleeping and the occasional litter-box trip. When he finally opts for adventure, Fuddles discovers he's not allowed outside.Obsessed with going out and fighting the foes he knows await, Fuddles initiates a "strict exercise regime." Eventually Fuddles spies an open front door, darts outside and loses no time leaping after birds on the porch, where his tubbiness weighs him down. He tries chasing squirrels but can't claw his way up a tree. His catnap in the neighbor's yard turns into a harrowing flight from an aggressive dog, leaving Fuddles lost without his litter box as night descends. Scared and lonely, missing his family and feeling hungry, Fuddles learns the hard way there's no place like home. Digitally rendered, comical illustrations trace Fuddles' journey from spa-like existence in tub and hammock to his feeble fitness training with scratching post and toy mouse to the reality of his outdoor adventure, punctuated by indignant falls, futile clawing, frantic flight and fearful search for home.

Indolent, irascible and utterly irresistible, Fuddles is the undisputed focus of every scene in this hilarious reminder to stick with a good thing when you've got it.(Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews