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Chesters Back Book & CD (2009)

by Mélanie Watt(Favorite Author)

4.01 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

000728179X (ISBN13: 9780007281794)

languge

English

genre

Humor

publisher

Harpercollins Children Audio

review 1: Horn Book (Spring 2009)In this sequel to the equally meta Chester, the humility-challenged cat returns with his red marker to contradict everything Watt writes in her story about him. The corresponding illustrations (one looks as though it's been Scotch-taped back together) offer further evidence of the author-diva feud. This book may not expand on Chester, but its audacious humor justifies its existence.Kirkus Reviews (July 15, 2008)Aspiring author Chester, a chubby calico cat, is back for another metatextual tussle after the events of his 2007 debut, Chester. Mélanie, his owner, has decided he's to have his own story...but Chester's not content just to be a character; he wants creative control. With red marker in paw, Chester rewrites (and draws) his tale. The medieval ... morebackdrop is too modern; Chester wants to be a cave cat. The toothy dinosaur Mélanie introduces to bring him into line doesn't scare Chester, so she tries to replace him with a line of costumed critters--but Chester drives away the competition. What does Chester really want? A limo, his name in lights, billboards with his picture, lots of red jellybeans and acknowledged star status. When he gets everything he asks for, Chester finds the wardrobe not quite what he had in mind. Played out against the medieval drawing, the antics of the overbearing cat and his exasperated author/owner will elicit chuckles aplenty from returning fans and those new to the battle, from front flyleaf to back. (Picture book. 4-8)Publishers Weekly (June 30, 2008)In this mischievous follow-up to her comical metafiction, Chester, Watt--who is both character and author--thinks she's hit on a way to keep her cat's huge ego in check: make him the star of his very own fairy tale. But as Chester once again makes clear, scrawling in red marker over almost every page (only the endpapers are left unscathed), he's not going to be easily placated--or dismissed. Being a picture book star has gone to his already swollen head: "Dear admirers," he begins, "Due to an overwhelming amount of fan mail, I, Chester, am back...." Colorful envelopes below this message are addressed to Chester from Shakespeare ("Your #1 Fan"), Einstein and Picasso; a "typed" note from "M.W." next to an author photo reads, "Please forgive Chester. He's forgotten to mention that he wrote all those fan letters himself." A tiny mouse (Chester labels him his butler) provides running commentary, sometimes through gestures only. Readers will be dazzled by the cat's rampant self-regard (he claims to have invented the wheel) and tickled by his ongoing battle of wits with his owner/creator. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.School Library Journal (September 1, 2008)K-Gr 2-The big calico cat with an even bigger ego is back. Watt attempts to feature him in a fairy tale, but as readers of Chester (Kids Can, 2007) will anticipate, he is not interested. He whips out his red marker and makes the story his own-until Watt decides to replace him altogether. The author holds a casting call and tries to carry on with a replacement for Chester. Of course, the feisty feline will not let that happen, and for a moment readers may think that he has come out on top. Chester wants to be the star of the story, but as the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for!" The little gray mouse that was featured in the original book also returns. Chester has a great range of expressions that work along with the red-marker text to develop a lovable character. The use of color and font to indicate the speakers and the mix of various illustration styles add definition to the story-within-the-story, and the pages are full of activity. Readers will discover new details with each viewing. This is an original and fun tale for sharing one-on-one and in small groups.-Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
review 2: For all the kids who loved Chester, he has returned in this second book of the battle of the authors. Author Melanie starts to write a story, and Chester the cat interrupts with his red marker to change things. Of course, Chester, being a normally self-centered cat, wants everything his way, and Melanie deals with him -- sometimes in a surprising way. Just as in the first book, Melanie's writing is a different color than Chester's, so the reader can identify whose comments are whose. Again as in the first book, the two voices might be confusing to a young preschooler. We found it is funny to use two different readers for the parts of Melanie and Chester. Fun for ages 4-7. less

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