‘Bad Cat!’ by Nicola O’Byrne

A laugh-out-loud homage to the ‘delights’ of living with a cat.

With a characteristic look of defiance, all too recognizable in our own cats, Fluffykins (a.k.a. Bad Cat) revels in creating havoc, leaving destruction in its path. Not content with purposely knocking over a vase, Bad Cat goes on to rip, wrestle, climb, and much worse as the owner’s reproaches go derisively unheeded. Of course, to gain back favour, Bad Cat must concede. But for how long…

This wonderful picture book is a hilarious take on the highs and lows of cat ownership and a deft portrayal of the independence commanded by our often-recalcitrant furry friends. Author/illustrator Nicola O’Byrne’s sparse text tells of the owner’s frustration while the delightful, expressive illustrations skillfully communicate a cat’s rebellious nature. Through the bold contrast between Bad Cat’s textured ginger-flecked deep orange fur and the restrained pale background, our attention is drawn to the cat with its tell-all facial expressions and body language. This contrast further informs the sheer abandonment of Bad Cat’s behaviour as well as its larger than life presence, while its actual name, Fluffykins, belies these. Tension grows throughout the story, in a rush at times, as Fluffykins strikes mayhem, with relief being short lived, again highlighting a cat’s domineering air. Bad Cat’s gaze seems to follow the reader, and at times makes direct contact signaling intent. This gaze, coupled with the disembodied ‘voice’ of the owner creates a cat/reader connection enabling us to identify more readily with the drama, and to see any cat in Fluffykins, indeed, even our own. O’Byrne has joyfully captured a cat’s duplicity – warm and lovable one minute, clawing your sofa the next – and the autonomy it enjoys, revealed in a single flick of a tail.

Find ‘Bad Cat!’ on the library cat-alogue.

Kay: Content Development Librarian: Children’s and Young Adult.