Bad Cat Puts on His Top Hat    by Tracy-Lee McGuinness-Kelly Order:  USA  Can Little, Brown & Co., 2005 (2005) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson I love the edgy illustrations, with their strong colors, and detail that invites exploration, in this Bad Cat series (the pictures are reminiscent of Richard Scarry's work). Bad Cat Puts on His Top Hat is dedicated 'to and for the child in all of us.' Bad Cat lives 'in a huge, dirty city' he calls the 'Big Stinky'. He's very good at getting into trouble, and this time he tries his hand as an uninvited chef, teaches a bully a lesson, inspires an artist, foils robbers, and invents the 'Bad Cat boogie' on stage. Though this hyperactive catalyst makes all kinds of wonderful things happen in Big Stinky, he's usually chased off before people realize he did good. This time he gets his due and is rewarded with 'scrumptious sweets' before he 'heads off in the distance', like a feline Lone Ranger or Zorro. Kids will love Bad Cat's independence and freedom, identify with him when he's blamed unfairly, and rejoice when he's rewarded. Fortunately, there's a little Bad Cat in all of us. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews