Katrina Hyena, Stand-up Comedian

While hyenas usually laugh to alert others of danger, Katrina the Hyena laughs because she loves a good joke or gag, and her biggest dream is to be a stand-up comedian. The other hyenas, however, are fed up with Katrina’s constant laughing and think she is always in trouble. After Katrina’s pack narrowly escapes an attack by their nemesis, Gary the Lion, Katrina lightens the mood with a comedy set, one which is so successful that the hyenas all pile on top of each other in their excitement. Gary sees the shadow of this pile, thinks it is some sort of huge, terrifying animal, and takes off, never to be seen again. Katrina has vanquished their enemy and achieved her dream.

With short chapters and sentences and pictures on every page, Katrina Hyena, Stand-up Comedian is a great book for beginner readers. The pace is brisk, and the narrative is full of groan-worthy jokes that kids are sure to love. The overall quirkiness of the book is delightful, sometimes verging on the absurd: the lion likes to eat hyenas with hot sauce, the microphone Katrina uses was stolen from a safari tour guide, and an impala hands out mango juice at Katrina’s set. There are little asides and moments where the fourth wall is broken, making readers feel like they have been let in on the jokes. Kohn even has fun with language, inventing the verb “liony”.

The sketchy illustrations suit the mood of the book, and the warm palette of orange and brown is reminiscent of the African savannah. The animals are cartoonish and friendly-looking, and Katrina stands out among her pack with a swath of bright orange fur on her back.

Katrina Hyena, Stand-up Comedian is a very cute and funny chapter book about being true to yourself and following your dreams.