My Cat Is a Secret Agent - by Daniel J Mahoney (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this laugh-out-loud picture book that's purr-fect for fans of Adam Rubin and James Marshall, a girl tries to convince her parents that their cat is really an undercover spy. But when things don't quite go as planned, hilarious hijinks and plenty of feline fun ensue.

Book Synopsis

In this laugh-out-loud picture book that's purr-fect for fans of Adam Rubin and James Marshall, a girl tries to convince her parents that their cat is really an undercover spy. But when things don't quite go as planned, hilarious hijinks and plenty of feline fun ensue.

"With his droll drawings, Daniel J. Mahoney takes secret agenthood into whole new realms." --Caldecott Medal winner Paul O. Zelinsky

Samantha knows her cat, Walter, is anything but ordinary--he's a secret agent with the very serious codename Kitty Pants. Unfortunately, no one else appreciates Walter's superspy-ness. Samantha's parents think he's nothing more than your average pet. It's up to Walter to convince them otherwise.

Operation Kitty Pants is a go. But will this undercover feline prove his impressive espionage skills battling foes, including a butt-sniffing pup, a wild-haired kitty, and a band of mischievous mice, or will he find his missions compromised? With Samantha's help, perhaps Walter can show that there's a bit of secret agent in all of us.

From Daniel J. Mahoney, the author-illustrator of We Don't Eat Our Neighbors, My Cat Is a Secret Agent is a rollicking read-aloud for pet lovers and pet-free families alike--ideal for storytime in the classroom or at home.

Review Quotes

"With his droll drawings, Daniel J. Mahoney takes secret agenthood into whole new realms. I loved the surrealistic ending." --Caldecott Medal winner Paul O. Zelinsky

"This silly tale, with characters drawn in a style reminiscent of James Marshall's bulbous creatures with simplified faces, is a joy to read out loud. With a plethora of amusing background details, this will be fun for all young cat lovers who are positive their feline friends live double lives." --Booklist

"-Children will love the humor . . . This silly and funny pet story is sure to find an audience." --School Library Journal

"Mahoney incorporates Rotten Ralph-like visual loopiness from the very first spread of this offbeat picture book . . . Mahoney balances absurdity with heart: from deadpan narration to thin-lined, retro-inflected illustrations, every element serves the delightfully skewed logic of the family's world." --Publisher Weekly

"Character designs reminiscent of Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants, albeit with gentler, watercolor washes and thinner linework, might add appeal to cat-loving readers confident enough to strike out on their own." --BCCB

"Reminiscent of James Marshall's work . . . inviting, informal art . . . Mahoney clearly understands that all felines contain multitudes. Chaotic and offbeat feline fun--cats and cat lovers are sure to approve." --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Daniel J. Mahoney has been writing and drawing stories about animals since he was a kid. When he's not creating books for young readers, he can be found riding his bike, chasing waterfalls with his hiking club, and zapping people with X-rays at the hospital where he works. He is the author and illustrator of We Don't Eat Our Neighbors and My Cat Is a Secret Agent. He grew up in Albany, New York, and currently resides on a cozy street in the country with his amazing daughter, Shay. He wishes he had a cat that was a spy growing up, but his childhood cat, Candy, napped too much to ever complete a mission.