Every week, the Cat has to list four books that he's read, or break down chapter books into the four "chunks" he's read. Technically, he's supposed to read Monday-Thursday, but all too often it is in separate little chunks, and usually involve the weekend. He reads National Geographic Kids, Highlights magazine, picture books that are way too easy for him but he loves 'em, and a variety of chapter books (like Flat Stanley and Nate the Great.) He's particularly a fan of Captain Underpants, although I admit being a little nervous that I'm encouraging the grossness. But, as I told to his teacher (and she enthusiastically agreed) anything that encourages reading and isn't horrifically lewd is fine. The Underpants books have some great vocabulary, believe it or not.

The one book that the Cat reads all the time, but can't put on his list every single time (because I have this fear that if he repeats books it his homework won't be considered "valid") is the Toon Book "Mo and Jo: Fighting Together Forever." When I learned about Toon Books I thought the book "Stinky" would be the one that spoke to the Cat the most, but surprisingly, he was more interested in the red and green-clad brother-and-sister team Mo-Jo. He giggles as he proclaims, "I'll turn you into spaghetti!" like the character Joey does on the cover. The book itself is about sharing, but it is also about crime-fighting, always a revered theme in the lives of little boys. I've never been a comics fan, but the Cat loves this style. After he enjoyed Mo and Jo, he ate up Stinky and Jack in the Box.

He then went back to Mo and Jo, and keeps it by his bed so he can read it nearly every day.