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Houndsley and Catina and the Birthday Surprise Hardcover – Illustrated, September 26, 2006

by James Howe (Author), Marie-Louise Gay (Illustrator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 47 ratings
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Great friends think alike, as James Howe and Marie-Louise Gay bring a beguiling duo back for their second adventure.

Houndsley is sad. Not because it is raining or because there are holes in his sweater, but because he doesn't know when his birthday is. All of a sudden Catina is sad, too. But friends are very good at cheering each other up, and Houndsley and Catina are the very best of friends. So it won't be long before they each discover, in a most surprising way, how a first-rate friend can brighten even the saddest days.
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  1. Reading age
    5 - 9 years
  2. Part of series
    Candlewick Sparks
  3. Print length
    48 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 4
  6. Lexile measure
    530L
  7. Dimensions
    6.31 x 0.41 x 9.31 inches
  8. Publisher
    Candlewick
  9. Publication date
    September 26, 2006
  10. ISBN-10
    0763624055
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0763624057
  12. See all details
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New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade. New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2–The personable canine and feline friends continue their adventures in this early reader. Houndsley tells Catina that he is sad because he doesn't know his birth date. Worried that he has made her sad, too–she doesn't know when her birthday falls, either–he decides to surprise her with a cake. Catina is up to her own surprises, though, and arranges a birthday party for her pal. Gay's soft watercolor-and-pencil illustrations with collage details are fun and lighthearted, and scenes are filled with activity and assorted sweet-looking animals. The ratio between text and pictures will appeal to new readers.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

This sequel to Houndsley and Catina (2006) begins with Houndsley the dog feeling blue and his best friend, Catina the cat, wondering why. Walking in the rain with his pal, Houndsley admits that he is sad because he doesn't know when his birthday is. Catina confesses that she doesn't know her birth date either. Within days, each animal has found a way to cheer the other. Published in beginning-reader format, this gentle story will appeal to children's compassion as well as their sense of humor. Though the setting is a cold, sometimes-bleak autumn, Gay's pencil, watercolor, and collage artwork glows with warmth, style, and quiet pizzazz. An appealing book for independent readers in the early grades, the story will also make a good fall read-aloud for preschool classes. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick; Illustrated edition (September 26, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0763624055
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0763624057
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 9 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 530L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 4
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.31 x 0.41 x 9.31 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 47 ratings

About the author

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James Howe

James Howe

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James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
47 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Friendship
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
Another great book that my students enjoy reading again and again.
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Lynnie
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute Story
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2019
Verified Purchase
Very Cute story about a dog and cat who are friends. Great for beginning readers who are moving into chapter books.
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Maya L Chavez
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2017
Verified Purchase
My kids love this book. It's a great read aloud
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Ernette aka Benie
4.0 out of 5 stars I loved the story
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2015
Verified Purchase
I loved the story, however my nephew didn't :-( I am tying find a series that he will fall in love with and in turn love reading
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Jacqueline C. Bartha
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Series Book
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2017
Howe needs to write more in this series. It is always a sweet and gentle tale.
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CD Troy
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely!
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2013
My 4.5-year-old son, husband and I love the Houndsley and Catina series! The stories highlight compassion and love in friendship as well as the simple pleasures of everyday life. A lot goes on in the stories (playing, creating, surprises, and spontaneity), which helps keep youngsters engaged. I applaud Howe's engaging writing style. And the illustrations parallel the tales' beauty.

In the "The Birthday Surprise" book, I enjoyed the story weaving of sadness feeling with a surprise idea with cake and sweater making.
One person found this helpful
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Christina Fixemer
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Illustrations & Kind Message
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2007
Houndsley is sad. He doesn't know what date his birthday is on. When he tells Catina, she seems sad, too. She doesn't know, either. In fact, she doesn't know what day to celebrate her birthday, either.

Houndsley didn't mean to make Catina sad, so he decides to make her a surprise. Little does he know that Catina has a plan, too!

Young readers will get a lot out of this book. Birthdays are so important to children that they tend to obsess about it. What about those who don't get to be so excited for their birthdays (for whatever reason)? After reading this short chapter book, kids may be inspired to do something special for others. Even if they aren't, they will still enjoy the sweet illustrations and kind message.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer

03/05/2007
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Cate Giroux
5.0 out of 5 stars Dogs and cats
Reviewed in Canada on February 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
I have purchased this book a few times to give as gifts. Such a delightful story of love and friendship. Adults, as well as children will enjoy this gentle story and fabulous artwork.
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