ALA Booklist (Mon Nov 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Flubby, a cat, can see that Kami, the child who cares for him, is excited to see snow falling, but peering out the window, he wonders why. Kami coaxes him out into the yard, but when he discovers that snow is cold, he immediately dislikes it. Kami puts boots on his paws and tries again, but this time his back gets chilly. After repeated trips indoors for a coat, a hat, and a scarf, Flubby relaxes, romps around the yard, and warms up to the idea that playing in the snow is fun. This is the fifth book in the Flubby series, which began with Flubby Is Not a Good Pet! (2019), a 2020 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book. The cat has lost none of his reservations about unfamiliar situations, but many children will sympathize with his viewpoint. Written for beginning readers, with simple words and short sentences, this book will appeal to preschoolers as well. The characters' emotions are evident from their expressions within the pleasing digital illustrations. A light, enjoyable choice for winter reading.

Kirkus Reviews

A pampered, plump pussycat resists frosty fun.Once again, the adorable but recalcitrant Flubby asserts his individuality. His devoted brown-skinned young owner struggles to please him despite his obstinacy. Like most felines, Flubby finds winter trying. When it snows "a little," then "a lot," the child wants to play in the wet white stuff, but Flubby finds it too cold-first, for his feet, then for his back and head. Each time, he retreats to the warm house. The child resourcefully produces tiny kitty boots, a coat, a hat, and a scarf. Finally, properly enveloped, Flubby is not too cold, does not go back inside, and plays in the snow while his owner creatively constructs a snow-cat. Compared to the earlier books in the series, which use characteristic cat behavior to set up the surprise ending, this one finishes anticlimactically, not to say unrealistically. (A cat docilely allowing himself to be repeatedly dressed up is rare indeed, and the cat's back half is still bare and presumably cold.) But the words are simple and repetitive, and the pictures are engaging. Flubby's perfectly round golden eyes and ballooning belly will evoke smiles, and when Flubby is depicted sitting with rear legs splayed and a dubious expression on his face, readers might laugh despite the predictable text.If expectations are modest, this latest addition to the series is mildly amusing. (Easy reader. 5-7)

School Library Journal (Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

K-Gr 2— Kami, a young girl with brown skin, cannot wait to go outside in the snow and play with Flubby, her cat. Flubby is not so sure about the snow. Kami and Flubby head outside, and while Kami is ready for fun, the cat goes back inside. Kami then helps Flubby get ready for a snowy day by giving him boots, which keeps his feet warm. But then Flubby's back is cold. This continues for a few pages: the cat keeps getting cold until he is dressed appropriately for the big snow day. Then, Flubby does not want to go back inside—he wants to play! Kami and Flubby build snow kittens and enjoy the weather. They finish the day back inside with some hot cocoa by the fireplace. Simple structure of a sentence or so on each page is great for emerging readers. The illustrations are charming, with their cartoon outlines, facial expressions, and layout. A previous book in the "Flubby" series, Flubby Is Not a Good Pet! , was a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book. VERDICT A great addition for all libraries looking for modern emergent reader books.— Katie Llera