Monroe harnesses the comforting power of a kitten’s love in this warmhearted debut picture book. On a bright May morning, Momma Kitty gives birth to a new litter—five adorable, frisky kittens, each with their own unique personality. The dauntless black and white one explores with abandon, meowing for Momma Kitty whenever her adventures take her too far away; one pair, “stuck together like glue,” spend every moment side by side; and the taffy and orange kittens quietly pad behind Momma Kitty wherever she goes. When it’s time to find forever homes, Momma Kitty discovers, much to her chagrin, that her orange kitten can’t meow. Kittens, of course, are as cute and cuddly as can be, and Monroe artfully evokes that specific warmth as well as a more universal language of love. Whether it’s their frisky temperament as they roll around on the floor wrestling, the soft rumbling of their snores during a nap, or the orange kitten’s silent meows, Momma Kitty’s litter is a joy to behold. Monroe’s choice to make each kitten distinctive, with its own delightful traits, is the perfect fit for a feline story, and younger readers will adore the litter’s amusing antics. Draw & Care, an illustrating team in Ukraine with a mission to rescue the country’s displaced pets, deliver stunningly delicate drawings that bring each of those personalities to life.
Amid all the four-legged charm, Monroe’s story carries a crucial message: every animal—and child—deserves a safe place to belong. When the litter gets adopted one-by-one, leaving just the silent orange kitten behind, young readers may start to worry—but at the last moment, Grace, who is Deaf, swoops in and finds the orange kitten’s silence a perfect fit, and her reverence at its vibrating purr is truly precious to see. This tenderhearted story delivers just the right dose of hope.
Takeaway: An adorable, silent kitten finds its forever home.
Comparable Titles: Sophie Blackall’s Negative Cat, Kelly Bennett’s Not Norman.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
