• Review: No Fuzzball! by Isabella Kung
• Source: ARC courtsesy of Isabella Kung. Thank you!
• Publication: August 4, 2020 by Orchard Books, imprint of Scholastic

A hilarious new story from debut picture book artist Isabella Kung. Fuzzball is Queen of the house. Her subjects just LOVE how she scales the tallest shelves and drags their belongings across the floor. Hear how they shout her name everywhere she goes … “NOFUZZBALL!” But when they leave her queendom for the weekend, she questions whether she should be a more benevolent ruler. Fans of funny, lovable characters like Aaron Blabey’s Pig the Pug, Mo Willems’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, and David Shannon’s No, David! will fall in love with this furry, feline despot.

In the pantheon of adorable, memorable cats in children’s lit, I think it is safe to say that you can now add a new entry to the mix! The picture book debut from author-illustrator Isabella Kung, No Fuzzball! is a terrifically clever and funny read with a darling (…and extremely naughty!) cat as its star.

Just look at that sweet floofy black kitten licking her paws! Her “subjects” love her so much that they call her…NoFuzzball!? A self-described queen of her kingdom, the feline protagonist of our story tells readers that her name (often screamed aloud) is the rather unusual NoFuzzball. Whether leaping off of a table, interrupting family yoga time, or making a mess of a packed suitcase, the name NoFuzzball rings out- but NoFuzball is not perturbed by her busy family. She is adored, groomed, well fed, entertained and even massaged: what does she have to worry about? But one day is seems that her family- who are supposed to be her loyal subjects- have left her! They have even taken the “slobbering mess” of a dog with them! NoFuzzball decides to make the most of the quiet with some unhurried napping, but finds that even a nap can’t shake worries that start to set in. What if her family has abandoned NoFuzzball for good…what if her family doesn’t want to live in her “queendom” any more? In a plight of concern and wanting to show her family how much she cares, NoFuzzball attempts to prepare for her family’s return to some amazing results. Vivacious, comical and featuring the cutest, most expressively fluffy tyrant you will have the pleasure of meeting, Isabella Kung’s No Fuzzball! is pure joy in artwork and in storytelling, start to finish.

Perfect for the cat lovers, animal lovers, and readers on the search for more funny reads, No Fuzzball! is a deeply delightful picture book. Sure to appeal to readers who have read and enjoyed feline-centered picture books such as Princess Puffybottom…and Darryl, I Hate My Cats (A Love Story), Mr. Pusskins, or Blue Ethel, Isabella Kung has created a truly unforgettable character and entertaining reading experience with her excellent picture book debut.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of the creator in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.