Bourque sets a light tone while emphasizing realistic concerns of younger readers, and her bright cast of relatable characters drives home a host of different ways to work through fear. Alycat’s friends each struggle with their own issues—Kit is scared to ride her new, bigger bike, and Spotty is afraid he’ll fall off the treehouse ladder—until the group bands together to problem solve. Before long, Kit’s mastered her pedaling skills and Spotty’s safely on the ground again. Alycat's big personality and problem-solving initiative will captivate readers as the furry feline helps her friends while learning a valuable life lesson herself, sparking opportunities for readers to reframe their own fears and use them as motivation instead.

Civati showcases Alycat and her pals playing, collaborating, and vanquishing their fears with bright, eye-catching illustrations that bring a lighthearted edge to the story’s more serious elements, and the group’s camaraderie—and positive message on just how far kindness can go to help others—forms the perfect canvas for elementary aged children. Bonus content on how to create a successful lemonade stand, including several pointers on building confidence to attract consumers, rounds out this inspirational story.

Takeaway: A lively group of feline friends overcome their fears by working together.

Comparable Titles: Ellie Hattie and Eric Barclay’s Monday is a FUN DAY!, Teresa Porcella's Wild Week.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A