The Kitten Story: A Mostly True Tale
by Emily Jenkins; illus. by Brittany Cicchese
Preschool, Primary    Minerva/Astra    48 pp.
10/23    9781662651151    $18.99
e-book ed.  9781662651168    $11.99

“There are four people in our family. Rosie, Tulip, Daddy and me. I am Mommy.” So begins this funny, heartwarming story of a feline-loving family in need of a cat. Mommy narrates the ensuing swirl of drama, evident in the lively illustrations, with dry humor and unflappable spirit. Rosie and Tulip want a kitten; Daddy thinks an older cat would be better. When he confidently defers to Mommy, he finds himself overruled. Selecting a name also requires shrewd diplomacy, brilliantly executed from the mother’s perspective (Daddy is not in agreement with the choice). Throughout, she manages the conflicts by seeking strategies that will lead to “less fighting” and more “rejoicing.” A soft, warm color palette sets the tone for the characters whose illustrated expressions and actions extend the story beyond the protagonist’s point of view. After one unfortunate trip to a non-operational animal shelter that leaves everyone gloomy, Mommy sets off alone to visit another with clear instructions about what to bring home. There are many kittens, but she ends up with one that’s nothing like what anyone expected: “He wasn’t small. In fact, he was almost an older cat. And he wasn’t very cute. He couldn’t be our kitten.” Mommy forges ahead anyway, and everyone, even Daddy, finds themselves rejoicing. Irresistible endpapers full of mischievous cats bookend the story.

From the November/December 2023 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.