From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2 When Grizzorka the witch swoops down out of the sky and captures Tabithia to be her holiday pet, Grandmother Katt enlists the help of her friends Bat, Spider, and Frog, and sets off to find her granddaughter. However, before they have a chance to save the kitten, the witch throws the elderly feline into a dark hole. Armed with unique talents, the creatures come to the aid of Grandmother Katt and the four are able to frighten Grizzorka away, rescue the kitten, and enjoy the season's festivities. Several chants and the refrain "THUB, THUB, THUB-A-DUB, DUB" recommend this book for reading aloud but most listeners will find the story predictable. Surreal acrylic illustrations in vibrant colors add a mysterious tone to the tale and the orange, black, and green tones reinforce the Halloween theme. Unfortunately, the small type is sometimes hard to read against the different background colors. A secondary purchase where there is a high demand for holiday stories. Olga R. Barnes, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, NC Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
When Grizzorka the witch ``catnaps'' Grandmother Katt's cat, Tabithia, Grandmother decides to get her cat back, with the help of some creepy, but intrepid palsBat, Frog, and Spider, who have their own reasons for retaliation. The witch tries to defeat her enemies by throwing them down a deep hole, locking Tabithia in a cage, and tossing the key to the bottom of the lake. The spider's spinning skills, the frog's swimming abilities, and the bat's radar all play crucial roles in helping Grandmother Katt through her ordeals. Grizzorka retreats in despair and the four friends rejoice with a Halloween bash. This fun tale mentions scary things but won't frighten children, in part because its cheery, bold colors liven up the deep holes, dark caves, and other spooky scenes. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Card catalog description
When Grizzorka the Witch snatches Tabithia to be her new Halloween cat, Grandmother Katt dons a pumpkin helmet and declares war, with the help of Spider, Frog, and Bat.

ANNOTATION

When Grizzorka the Witch snatches Tabithia to be her new Halloween cat, Grandmother Katt dons a pumpkin helmet and declares war, with the help of Spider, Frog, and Bat.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Debut illustrator Reed's aggressive brushwork adds intensity to this longish folktale about a cat whose granddaughter has been kitten-napped by a witch. The white feline, emerald-green eyes aglow, stalks to her foe's cottage while pounding a flame-orange pumpkin drum: "Thub, thub, thub-a-dub, thub." Along the way, she meets three humble helpers--a spider, frog and bat--whose special talents save the day in classic fairy-tale fashion. The upbeat ending turns "a scary Halloween showdown into a fun-filled Halloween hoedown." Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2 When Grizzorka the witch swoops down out of the sky and captures Tabithia to be her holiday pet, Grandmother Katt enlists the help of her friends Bat, Spider, and Frog, and sets off to find her granddaughter. However, before they have a chance to save the kitten, the witch throws the elderly feline into a dark hole. Armed with unique talents, the creatures come to the aid of Grandmother Katt and the four are able to frighten Grizzorka away, rescue the kitten, and enjoy the season's festivities. Several chants and the refrain "THUB, THUB, THUB-A-DUB, DUB" recommend this book for reading aloud but most listeners will find the story predictable. Surreal acrylic illustrations in vibrant colors add a mysterious tone to the tale and the orange, black, and green tones reinforce the Halloween theme. Unfortunately, the small type is sometimes hard to read against the different background colors. A secondary purchase where there is a high demand for holiday stories. Olga R. Barnes, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, NC Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

When Grizzorka the witch "catnaps" Grandmother Katt's cat, Tabithia, Grandmother decides to get her cat back, with the help of some creepy, but intrepid pals—Bat, Frog, and Spider, who have their own reasons for retaliation. The witch tries to defeat her enemies by throwing them down a deep hole, locking Tabithia in a cage, and tossing the key to the bottom of the lake. The spider's spinning skills, the frog's swimming abilities, and the bat's radar all play crucial roles in helping Grandmother Katt through her ordeals. Grizzorka retreats in despair and the four friends rejoice with a Halloween bash. This fun tale mentions scary things but won't frighten children, in part because its cheery, bold colors liven up the deep holes, dark caves, and other spooky scenes. (Picture book. 3-7)