THE KITTEN STORY

A close family disagrees, survives minor disappointments, and rejoices, together.

Narrator Mommy, who is pale-skinned; Daddy, brown-skinned; and children Rosie and Tulip, brown-skinned, love cats and books but have differing opinions on what cat to adopt. Daddy reasons that an older cat would have a known personality, whereas a kitten could be “bitey” or “scratchy.” When Mommy votes “kitten” with the kids, Daddy, outnumbered, glowers. Mommy’s “scientific method” of name-choosing, intended to head off further debate, is an utter failure. So is the foray to a now-closed shelter, leaving Tulip in tears. Mommy then takes a midwinter day off work for the mission, firmly instructed by Rosie not to return without their kitten, and by Tulip that it must be “Super small and very cute.” Mommy dutifully trawls a distant shelter’s kitten cages, then suddenly spots a cat in a cramped carrier, his eyes “curious and bright.” Not a kitten, nor cute, nor an older cat, but “snuggly” and “smart.” Purrfect. Returning through snow on the bus, Mommy names him “Blizzard.” Everyone at home is thrilled, “even Daddy.” Wintry but warm illustrations, realistic and slightly simplified, mute the nonessential and complement the text by foregrounding the family. Words and pictures together suggest character and convey wry family interactions and connections. A bonus: kitty endpapers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A story as warm and amusing as a small, fuzzy feline.