It sucks sour lemons when someone else is getting all of the
attention. You feel like screaming, “Hey, look at me! I’m pretty cool, too!” My
students notice someone being singled out for praise faster than they blink and
they always try to replicate the behavior so that they can get in on the action,
too.
Most kids will relate, therefore, to Cat’s jealousy of the
Easter Bunny in the picture book Here
Comes the Easter Cat written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by
Claudia Rueda. The book starts with Cat very upset about something. When
prompted, he explains that everybody loved the Easter Bunny and Cat just doesn’t
understand why. Cat starts to brainstorm what he can give everyone so that
everyone loves him, too. See the book trailer:
Cat doesn’t talk, so kids will have fun figuring out what he
is trying to say using only the illustrations. The author and illustrator perfectly
depict all of the emotions that children (and adults) go through when they are
feeling a little jealous and manage to do it in a funny and reflective manner.
In the end, Cat shows shows true honor and strength of
character, but you will have to read the book to see how. I promise your kids
will be entertained.
