The Messy Book

What a mess! Cat has made an awful mess in this book, but who is going to tidy it up? Certainly not Cat! Dog tries to get Cat to tidy, but Cat has got other ideas: shoving it over there; hiding it under that; jumping on it! Each of Cat's ideas for 'tidying up' just passes the mess on to someone else or makes the mess even messier! Dog tries harder and harder to persuade Cat to tidy up the mess in this book but Cat really, really does not want to (and he is an extremely stubborn feline). Finally, after a rather catastrophic incident with a vacuum cleaner, Cat eventually agrees to tidy. And, with the help of Dog, a giraffe and two penguins, this book is made spick-and-span. But, just how long can such a messy book stay tidy? The Messy Book is laugh-out-loud funny! It is sure to have children (and adults) giggling away. The bright, colourful collage-style illustrations are quirky and highly entertaining. The charming characters of Cat and Dog are absolutely delightful. Cat's avoidance techniques are simply brilliant and reminded me very much of most of the children in my class. Whereas Dog, with his seemingly (but not quite) endless patience and unlimited methods of encouragement, is just like most exasperated parents who just want their child to 'TIDY UP!' This story is perfect for opening up discussions about taking responsibility. Children will be able to see that Cat really should tidy up his mess, even though he does not want to (just like they don't want to tidy). In addition, Dog shows kindness throughout, offering to help Cat tidy up. For older children, this is a starting point for exploring themes around pollution and the environment. Cat should take care of the mess he has made, responsibly, but it is easier to hide it somewhere or leave it somewhere else for others to tidy. This is what humans often do with their mess! From small-scale littering and fly-tipping to worldwide problems such as the vast quantities of rubbish dumped into oceans, children can investigate the problems created by the Cats of the world and take on the role of Dog in attempting to persuade others to help tidy this planet. Full of humour, The Messy Book is sure to become a firm favourite in classrooms and libraries. Picture Book / Ages 3+ / Reviewed by Torie Walton, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+