The Cat on the Mat is Flat

Imagine the outcome if Dr. Seuss, Dav Pilkey, and Lane Smith were locked in a room until they came up with a book for beginning or reluctant readers. These nine rhyming stories have action galore, plenty of dialogue, and ample pen-and-ink illustrations, all wrapped up in humor . . . Even young people who are struggling to get the hang of reading may happily handle all 176 crazy pages. -- School Library Journal

Griffiths's innovative book for beginning readers collects nine short, intentionally silly snippets propelled by kid-pleasing, tongue-tripping verse . . . Denton's edgy, stick-figure-filled sketches enhance the zaniness factor and the offbeat, ironic humor. -- Publishers Weekly

Take one part Dr. Seuss, one part Edward Lear, place in a blender with a dash of Dav Pilkey and a bit of Cartoon Network juice . . . meant to be read as pure joy. It's a piece of candy eaten in secret between meals. --The Excelsior File (blog)

Definitely not your parents' easy reader, but perfect for fans of Lane Smith's Happy Hockey Family, -- Kirkus Reviews

This collection of stories is fun albeit with a touch of mayhem . . . This is a good book for beginning readers, in the same vein as The Cat in the Hat and The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, It will likely spark a new rhyming nation of happy youngsters, some of whom will grow up to write their generation's outrageously funny advertising jingles . . . Any beginning reader will find it charmingly slapstick and fun. --Armchair Interviews

Imagine the outcome if Dr. Seuss, Dav Pilkey, and Lane Smith were locked in a room until they came up with a book for beginning or reluctant readers. These nine rhyming stories have action galore, plenty of dialogue, and ample pen-and-ink illustrations, all wrapped up in humor . . . Even young people who are struggling to get the hang of reading may happily handle all 176 crazy pages. -- School Library Journal

Griffiths's innovative book for beginning readers collects nine short, intentionally silly snippets propelled by kid-pleasing, tongue-tripping verse . . . Denton's edgy, stick-figure-filled sketches enhance the zaniness factor and the offbeat, ironic humor. -- Publishers Weekly

Take one part Dr. Seuss, one part Edward Lear, place in a blender with a dash of Dav Pilkey and a bit of Cartoon Network juice . . . meant to be read as pure joy. It's a piece of candy eaten in secret between meals. --The Excelsior File (blog)

Definitely not your parents' easy reader, but perfect for fans of Lane Smith's Happy Hockey Family, -- Kirkus Reviews

This collection of stories is fun albeit with a touch of mayhem . . . This is a good book for beginning readers, in the same vein as The Cat in the Hat and The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, It will likely spark a new rhyming nation of happy youngsters, some of whom will grow up to write their generation's outrageously funny advertising jingles . . . Any beginning reader will find it charmingly slapstick and fun. --Armchair Interviews

Andy Griffiths is an internationally bestselling children's author and the award-winning writer of the Treehouse series and Help! I've Swallowed a Spider and Help! My Parents Think I'm a Robot. Andy thrives on having an audience; he has been a teacher, the lead singer in a band and a stand-up comedian. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, with his partner and two daughters.

Terry Denton is best-known for his work with Andy Griffiths on several titles, including another book of ridiculous rhymes, The Big Fat Cow Goes Kapow. He is also an author and illustrator in his own right and extremely popular with audiences in Australia and the US.