I love Bob Shea's work. Cheetah Can't Lose features the same bright illustrations and snappy, fun dialog. Two kittens trick cheetah into wearing heavy hoes and stuffing himself with pie and ice cream. Once the big race starts, the kittens are able to beat the cheetah, though they ultimately decide to let cheetah believe that he won. While I appreciate the humor, I suspect my students will have some trouble will the story. Are the kittens tricking or cheating? And what is the message about letting cheetah believe that he won. Heavy questions for a fun and funny book. Cute and funny, but with ultimately mixed messages. Cheetah doesn't really have any redeemable qualities, so why do the kittens still want to be friends with him? Even though the kittens won the big race, they felt sorry for cheetah and let him think that he won. I can appreciate the sympathy, but afterwards cheetah doesn't seem to learn a lesson from it; he continues on, unaware. Is this book saying that we should always give in to bullies? Let jerks have their way?
What do You think about Cheetah Can't Lose (2013)?
Cute and I think a lot of kids can relate to the little cats. I wish Cheetah had grown more.
—Sheila
Is the use of a cheetah as the character in this book a play on words (cheetah=cheater)?
—thorntonjt
This was smart and funny, and I love the surprise ending!
—Emma99
