When Ellie tells Tuffy the family is leaving for the week, Tuffy couldn t be more thrilled. A whole blissful week of rolling around in the flower bed and lounging on top of the TV? Tuffy can t wait! But the cat sitter the family procures doesn t understand Tuffy s refined feline palate, and Little Miss Soppy next door seems intent on dressing Tuffy in a nightie and calling him Janet. To get out of such a terrible mess, Tuffy is going to have to rely on his comical killer instincts. nbsp; In this raucous sequel toThe Diary of a Killer Cat, brimming with witty illustrations, Anne Fine reunites her readers with an unforgettable narrator who sees the world as only a conniving cat can. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Gr 3-5-Tuffy the cat narrates this clever sequel to Fine's The Diary of a Killer Cat (Farrar, 2006). The tabby thinks he will get to do whatever he wants while his human family is on vacation-"A whole week of sunning myself in the flower beds"-but his plans are foiled when the vicar comes to cat-sit. Comedic errors abound when the man tries to get the cat down from a tree: Tuffy flies into a soft basket belonging to Ellie's best friend next door, who has been praying for a cat. Not recognizing the pet, she takes him in as a pampered companion. Tuffy is loath to reveal his true identity; he endures being called Janet and wears a doll's frilly nightie, all so he can escape the austere clergyman and enjoy the neighbor's delicious cooking. Eventually, he can't continue the charade and an overweight Tuffy is found among the shredded remains of the nightgown, with no sign of Janet. The cat is triumphant when his owner's mother arrives home and catches the vicar at the exact moment he loses his patience with the shenanigans. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations are mostly merely serviceable, except for the perfectly captured surly expressions that amplify the protagonist's personality.-Debbie Stewart Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Tuffy, introduced in The Diary of a Killer Cat (2006), is very happy indeed. His owners are going on vacation, and he relishes the idea of being home alone. Alas, he's put under the care of the persnickety Vicar Barnham, who has all sorts of ridiculous rules. Told in Tuffy's tough-guy voice, this amusing story will resonate with kids who also like to have their own way. The ink illustrations add some hilarious moments, especially when Tuffy finds himself in a baby outfit. Pair this bad kitty book with the Rotten Ralph stories. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2007 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.