Bad Kitty Camp Daze



Last updated Monday, July 9, 2018

Author: Nick Bruel
Date of Publication: 2018
ISBN: 1626728852
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2018

Synopsis: Kitty’s life is really hard. Like really, REALLY hard. All she asks for is twenty-two hours a day to sleep, and food to be delivered morning and night. But does she get it? No. And when Puppy and Baby get a little rambunctious during her nap time, Kitty gets bonked on the head and starts to believe she’s . . . a dog. This new dynamic freaks out Puppy, so he’s sent away to Uncle Murray’s Camp for Stressed-Out Dogs to relax with other canine campers. But guess who sneaks along? Still believing she’s a dog, Kitty fits right in. That is until she and Uncle Murray encounter a bear, and then the feline claws come out.

Note to readers:
•  This book is one continuous picture-walk. Be prepared to hold the book upside down or sideways.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What is your favorite type of pet?
•  Do you have a cat, dog or other pet?
•  What are some different names for cat (kitty) and dog (puppy)?
•  How do Kitty and Dog behave compared to each other?

Vocabulary

•  bucolic - relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
•  hepetalactone - a chemical in catnip which can have a powerful effect on cats.
•  see synonyms on p. 15: rip, shred, tear, rend

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  How many hours are in a day? (24) So what does it mean that Kitty sleeps 22 hours a day? How many hours is she awake?
•  What kind of sounds do dogs and babies make? (this could be a fun, loud session)
•  What does "bon appetit!" mean? (translates to "good appetite", meaning - enjoy your meal)
•  Are these synonyms or not on p. 38 - tense, pooped, harried, shaky, frazzled, stressed-out?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a cat or dog puppet.
•  Make a cat toy using a feather, string/yarn, wrapping paper tube.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!