Catwad is a grouchy blue cat. He is sarcastic, outspoken, and plagued by a best friend who is constantly sunny. Blurmp is also a cat, but he is perennially happy, excitable, and a little bit bouncy. He does his best to infect Catwad with his enthusiasm, no matter what the situation.

When Blurmp tries the different buttons on the relaxation recliner Catwad is sitting in, Catwad takes the chair’s abuse. When they stop at a questionable hotel, Catwad just tries to get some sleep but watches as dozens of spiders crawl into Blurmp’s mouth. When Catwad tells him, disgusted, about the spiders, Blurmp is thrilled. Breakfast in bed! (Full disclosure, my cat would probably be thrilled by that too.)

When Blurmp gets Catwad to admit that he likes him better than pizza (with rat sweat, poison, and toenails on it), Blurmp flies across the table to hug Catwad and tell him that he’s his best friend too. And when Blurmp decides that the best way to fight crime is to prevent it (by buying the thing the criminal was about to steal), Catwad doesn’t know what to say.

Through all their adventures together, Blurmp and Catwad stay friends and balance each other. When Catwad’s computer breaks, Blurmp tries to fix it. When life hands Catwad lemons, Blurmp makes lemonade. And tries to fix the computer by pouring the lemonade on it. But he’s trying.

It’s Me is the first in the Catwad series, introducing the characters with lots of bright illustrations and whimsical story vignettes. Author Jim Benton brings energy, heart, and superfun grumpiness together in this short collection of comics that will bring smiles to the faces of children and adults.

I loved this first book of Catwad stories. At the end of a stressful day, I am, happy to sit back and read a few of these chapters, enjoying the conversations between the two friends and knowing that as bad as I may be feeling, Catwad is still grumpier than I am. And their exploits make me smile and remind me that there is more to the world than the small things that are irritating me right now. I definitely think that parents should buy this book for their kids. And when the kids go to bed, grab the book and read it themselves!