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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Sometimes what you’re missing most can turn up when you least expect it. In Kris the Cat by Ross Hewitt, Kris has a pretty good life with Queen Helga in an Icelandic castle. He has plenty to eat and an important job chasing the mice that get into the grain used to make bread. Still, his life isn’t quite complete. He doesn’t have a friend. One day, he spots a mouse hiding on a horse-drawn cart and jumps aboard. He’s so busy trying to catch it that he doesn’t realize how far from home he has gone. Suddenly, nothing seems familiar, and he has no idea how to get back. His journey through the countryside includes a meadow, a bee, an unexpected plunge into some very cold water, and a much-needed rest in the forest. Just when the cat is tired, wet, and alone, a little girl finds him. Could getting lost lead Kris to exactly what he’s been looking for?
I really enjoyed Kris the Cat by Ross Hewitt, and I think kids will too. It has adventure and a great message about friendship, kindness, and compromise. Plus, there are some funny parts. I especially appreciated the “Words to Learn” section at the end. It defines terms such as “grain,” “lurched,” and “patient,” including some that adults might assume young readers already understand. The discussion questions are another nice addition. I’d love to share this with my kindergarten students because we could talk about how Kris feels when he’s lost, making friends, sharing, and finding solutions that work for everyone involved. We could also use the vocabulary list to build on the story. The illustrations by Arnel Dime, Jr. are colorful and expressive and will hold children’s attention throughout. Cat lovers and kids who enjoy animal adventures with a meaningful lesson will want to pick this one up. I can see this book earning a place in homes, classrooms, and libraries.
