Bittle
CCBC Review:
Nigel the cat and Julia the dog are absolutely content with their lives. Each according to their individual tastes, they pass the days scratching rugs, chewing bones, and sleeping. When signs suggest a change is in the offing – tiny clothes, fresh paint, new crib – the animals are concerned. And indeed, the arrival of the baby does call for adjustment. At first their interactions with Bittle (so called because “she’s just a little bit of a thing”) are mainly nocturnal. Bittle cries until Nigel curls up next to her in the crib. When Bittle’s awake in the wee hours, the animals entertain her with a song. The threesome soon realizes they share many interests: Bittle and Nigel both like to chase butterflies. Bittle and Julia are both drawn to spending time in the bathroom: Bittle to unroll the toilet paper, Julia to drink from the toilet bowl. Gradually their three lives become more and more intertwined. Bittle’s first word, is in fact, a howl, “something that Nigel, Julia, and Bittle could all do together.” Highly Commended, 2005 Charlotte Zolotow Award ©2005 Cooperative Children's Book CenterIllustrated by Dan Yaccarino
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 3-7
Age Range:
Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3)
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Animals (Fiction)
Babies
Humor
Publishers:
HarperCollins, Joanna Cotler Books
Publish Year: 2004
Pages: 32
ISBN: 0060009616
CCBC Location: Picture Book, MacLachlan