Pater Familias … because I'm your FATHER!

Bruel's brill books starring psycho cat has our seriously reluctant reader second-grader poring over the pages for half-hour stretches, even more, without threats or bribery. Only thing she wants out of the deal is Bruel's next Bad Kitty. The series, published by Macmillan (see pub's authorsite), started with funny but strictly little-kid ABC books, then matured into heavily illustrated chapter books. Most recent of the three reader-kid numbers is Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray ($10 hard cover at Amazon.com), preceded by Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty ($7 bucks paperback) and Bad Kitty Gets a Bath ($7 paper). Amazon rates all three for 9- to 12-year-olds, but our 7-year-old gets enough to keep her reading and laughing. Adults may find both Bruel's illustrations and humor a mite, you know, primitive, but there's entertainment here for us, too.  And, hey, Junior's having fun with a book.