Monday, January 09, 2017

A CAT BY ANY OTHER NAME


The neighborhood cat featured in this captivating picture book leads a very busy life. He saunters from house to house on Blossom Street, answering to many different names and helping the people he meets carry out a number of miscellaneous activities: eating fresh fish at number three, bird watching at number one, still-life modeling at number eighteen, gardening at number fourteen, and swing dancing at number six, to name but a few. There's only one house that doesn't normally get a visit from the street's resident feline celebrity: number eleven, where life is much quieter. One day, when the cat strays from his much-anticipated regular rounds, the cast of diverse neighborhood characters come out in full force looking for their beloved (and, unbeknownst to them, communal) pet. Where has he gone and who does he actually belong to? 

Archie Snufflekins Oliver Valentine Cupcake Tiberius Cat, written and illustrated by Katie Harnett, is simply a delight. Preschoolers through second graders, as well as assorted cat ladies and gentlemen of all ages (and maybe even some dog people too!), will take pleasure in this charming offering, whether shared in a group setting or one on one. Perhaps, as this reviewer suspects, this sweet tale of friendship and community could even win over Grumpy Cat herself.

No comments: