Review: Thing 1 and Thing 2 Have Homework to Do - Art Baltazar

Review: Thing 1 and Thing 2 Have Homework to Do - Art Baltazar - September 2025

Right, so picture this: it's after-school o'clock, you've got a mountain of homework staring you down, and suddenly poof in walks the Cat in the Hat with his trademark grin and terrible ideas. I mean, when has the Cat ever shown up and things haven't descended into delightful chaos?

This new graphic novel had me grinning from the first page. Sally and her brother are drowning in assignments (relatable content for any kid who's ever faced a spelling list on a Friday afternoon), and naturally, the Cat's solution is to summon Thing One and Thing Two. Except plot twist Thing Three and Thing Four show up too. Because apparently two Things weren't quite enough mayhem for one school building.

What I absolutely love about this adaptation is how it respects the transition our tamariki are making from picture books to chapter books. The paneled format is chef's kiss not overwhelming, just right for building confidence. My seven-year-old nephew plowed through it in one sitting, then immediately demanded we read it again. That's the sweet spot, isn't it? When they don't even realize they're "reading reading" because they're too busy giggling at the Things wreaking havoc in the school library.

The brand-new illustrations keep that classic Seussian energy while feeling fresh and dynamic. There's something deeply satisfying about seeing the Cat's schemes unfold across sequential panels it adds this lovely sense of comic timing that the original format sometimes left to imagination. Plus, watching the Things multiply and the chaos escalate panel by panel? Brilliant.

This is perfect for our Kiwi kids aged 5-8 who are ready to level up their reading but still want that sense of playfulness and mischief. It's not preachy, it doesn't try too hard it just lets kids be kids while sneakily building their reading stamina and comprehension skills.

Honestly, if you've got a young reader in your whānau who's hovering in that "too old for baby books, too young for hefty chapters" zone, grab this one. It'll sit beautifully on the shelf between their old favorites and whatever comes next. And who knows? You might find yourself laughing just as hard as they do when Thing Four decides to "help" with the science experiment.

Because really, what's homework without a little controlled chaos? The Cat knows. He's always known.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4o0dQAv