  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 01/01/2017 The ever ineffable Ballet Cat returns in this third series installment (The Totally Secret Secret, 2015; Dance! Dance! Underpants!, 2016), and she’s as addicted to arabesques as ever. Her cousin Goat, it seems, has a passion of his own: magic tricks. Grandma’s coming for a visit, and Cat and Goat are putting on a show. But the headstrong cousins are equally competitive—Grandma will love them both, of course, but each is determined to be her favorite favorite. The Great Goatini’s skills prove to be a little, well, amateur (“While your eyes were closed, I pulled this quarter from behind your ear!”), and he starts to worry when he sees Cat’s polished leaps and twirls. When Grandma finally arrives, the real competition for favorite favorite commences—who will win?! Ballet Cat’s irrepressible enthusiasm is on full display through Shea’s signature monochrome colors, hilarious character doodles, and dramatic speech bubbles. Kids will be equally excited to see her again, and adults will appreciate the humorous take on cousin (or sibling) rivalry. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. School Library Journal - 02/01/2017 K-Gr 2—While Ballet Cat puts together a dance program for Grandma, Goat (aka The Great Goatini) prepares a magic show. According to Ballet Cat, ballet is Grandma's favorite. According to Goat, magic is Grandma's FAVORITE favorite. A battle of the wills ensues between the pair as they take turns displaying their talents. Goat's less than stellar magic skills provide humor, as do the facial expressions. When Grandma arrives, each one tries to impress her and best the other. When Grandma is asked which performance is her FAVORITE favorite, she saves the day by avoiding the question with the suggestion of ice cream. With neon-bright pages, equally colorful speech bubbles, deadpan humor, and the fun series format, this offering is sure to resonate with beginning readers, who will relate to the competition for a loved one's attention. VERDICT The rivalry between Ballet Cat and Goat for Grandma's affections will appeal to new and established fans of the early reader series.—Ramarie Beaver, Plano Public Library System, TX - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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