Chato and the Party Animals
Chato has been a party animal since he was a kitten. So when he  discovers that his best friend Novio Boy has never had a birthday party (being  from the pound, he never even knew hismami), this cool cat from the  barrio decides it's time to change all that. He calls his friend Sharkie, a  DJ."Homecat," Chato meowed. "You awake?""I am now, dude," Sharkie said."It's Novio Boy's birthday tomorrow," said Chato. "I want you to come and spin  some oldies but goodies."The party plans are set, the cake (with mouse-colored frosting and "a couple of  canaries on top") ordered, and the piñata made. Looks like the most  happening shindig in town is ready to go... except "Que tonto!" (How  dumb!) Chato forgot to invite the guest of honor! Novio Boy's buddies search the  alleys and warm car fenders to no avail, and soon are reminiscing about their  dearly departed ("Kidnapped! Lost!") homecat, who, as it turns out, has a  surprise in store for them all!As in the award-winningChato's  Kitchen, Susan Guevara's modish paintings of these barrio beasts beg to  be pored over, while Gary Soto's barrio-speak screams out to be read aloud. A  brief glossary provides English meanings to the Spanish words scattered  throughout. (Ages 5 to 9)--Emilie Coulter--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.