The Healer Cat


Children - Adventure
40 Pages
Reviewed on 10/31/2024
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Author Biography

Tuula Pere (b. 1958) holds a Ph.D. in Law and is an award-winning children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. Her doctoral dissertation, published in 2015, examines the limits of freedom of speech in the Finnish mass media amidst the social and cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s. Prior to her doctoral research, Tuula Pere had a career spanning over two decades as a lawyer and held various expert and executive positions in large industrial companies.

Since 2010, Tuula Pere has published over sixty children's books, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. She has also authored poetry and aphorisms for children, as well as short stories and non-fiction for adults. Tuula Pere is an avid music and sports enthusiast and a keen baker. She is married and the mother of three.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Healer Cat by Tuula Pere, illustrated by Klaudia Bezak, is an adventurous children's book that follows Celesse, a healer cat known for her gentle demeanor and magical abilities. One snowy night, her tranquil life is interrupted when a frantic mother hare arrives seeking help. Despite her reluctance, Celesse bravely journeys through a stormy night and a dark forest, where she confronts unexpected challenges that require her to tap into her healing powers for the first time. This heartwarming tale emphasizes bravery, compassion, and the importance of helping others.

Author Tuula Pere crafts a captivating storyline that blends adventure with a touch of fantasy, making it appealing to young readers and their families as a story with plenty of new discoveries and excitement. The story beautifully conveys messages about compassion and the willingness to help others, encouraging children to recognize the importance of community and kindness, which is a timely message indeed for today's world. I was particularly impressed by Klaudia Bezak's illustrations, which complement the text perfectly, bringing the characters and snowy landscapes to life and enhancing the overall story. Pere's portrayal of Celesse's journey from a comfortable homebody to a courageous healer teaches children about growth, resilience, and the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone to help those in need. The engaging narrative and strong themes of empathy create a memorable and meaningful story for young readers. Overall, I highly recommend The Healer Cat for parents and educators looking for a charming tale that entertains while imparting valuable life lessons.

Pikasho Deka

Treat yourself to a cozy adventure tale of a cat with Tuula Pere's The Healer Cat. Celesse is the only indoor cat in her mistress' household. She spends her days lounging on top of the brick oven, quietly enjoying its warmth and her fame as the healer cat of the neighborhood. She uses her low purr and soft paws to heal humans and animals alike. One day, a brutal sandstorm forces all the neighborhood animals to shelter in the mistress's house. After a while, a snowy mountain hare comes through the door, seeking Celesse's help to treat her baby, who has a high fever. Somewhat reluctantly, Celesse agrees to accompany the hare to her burrow in the backwoods. However, on the way, they encounter a dangerous predator. Can Celesse overcome this predator and heal the baby hare?

Tuula Pere is a master at crafting animal characters with lively personalities, and the protagonist of this picture book is another example of that skill. The Healer Cat is entertaining and heartwarming in equal measure. Celesse has all the characteristics of an indoor cat who always gets her way in her mistress's house. But she also has a kind heart and doesn't shy away from leaving her comfort zone to help others in need. She is adorable. I also liked the mother hare with her indomitable spirit, which helped her overcome extreme odds to save her child. The vivid descriptions of the snow-covered landscape really immerse you in the story and make you feel like you're sharing it with the characters. The hand-drawn illustrations by Klaudia Bezak are simply beautiful. Readers of all ages will enjoy this book.

Courtnee Turner Hoyle

In The Healer Cat by Tuula Pere, Celesse, the healer cat, is spoiled by her family and friends as she enjoys the best treats and a heated home. Forest animals visit her, and she alleviates their ailments or soothes troubled minds. During a harsh winter storm, a mother hare begs Celesse to heal her sick baby, who cannot survive the trek in such weather. It's a long journey to the backwoods, but Celesse agrees to leave her warm hearth, wrapped in a wool blanket on a sled. The mother hare pulls the sled until exhaustion almost overtakes her. As they near the hare's burrow, a threat darkens their quest and blocks their way, causing Celesse to show the full strength of her powers.

Readers can learn many valuable insights from Tuula Pere's story. In the warmth and safety of her home, Celesse wasn't forced to use the full range of her powers, but out facing the dangers of the forest, the cat had to manifest her skill and energy. This cat is strong and unwavering, showing children ways to display assertiveness by looking opposing forces in the eyes. The mother hare is tenacious, exhibiting determination in finding a healer and pulling Celesse through large snow drifts. The author also conveys caring and compassion through Celesse's willingness to help the mother hare's baby, even though the distance and cold inconvenienced her. Klaudia Bezak's intricately detailed illustrations glow with the same light as the powerful Celesse. The Healer Cat is a heartwarming story with a little adventure and a lot of dedication.

Carmen Tenorio

The Healer Cat by Tuula Pere is about a beautiful and spoiled orange tabby who loves lounging by the oven’s warmth with her animal friends and enjoying a saucer of milk or the affection of the humans who care for her. And there’s a good reason why she deserves all the comforts of life. Celesse is a healer cat who can heal both animals and humans with her soft paws and gentle purrs. One night, a dire situation obliged a hesitant Celesse to leave her cozy spot and travel with a desperate mother hare during a harsh snowstorm to heal her sick baby. On their way, an unexpected encounter in the wild also jolted Celesse to use some of her special powers. Will Celesse overcome these obstacles and succeed in her quest to heal and then safely return to the comforts of her home unscathed?

The Healer Cat by Tuula Pere is a moderately paced story translated from its original Finnish using a relatively simple language level. It has an interesting plot that presents a conflict young minds can easily comprehend and find exciting. Giving the animals human characteristics, behavior, and appearances makes the material appealing to the imagination. The images by Klaudia Bezak do a good job of creating immersive scenes with whimsical, nicely detailed elements using colors and shadings in an atmosphere that builds on the action of the moment. The use of familiar objects helps the young reader see and understand the events and feel the emotions in the story. The narrative conveys a wholesome message that highlights the importance of values such as sacrifice and compassion. It also shows the reader that sharing one’s talents or skills is something that should be given generously and courageously. Through this attitude, we find contentment, peace, and happiness in our hearts. The Healer Cat is a highly recommended choice for beginning independent readers and as a read-along book for preschool to kindergarten kids.

Laura Imaz

Tuula Pere's The Healer Cat narrates the story of Celesse, a healer cat adored by everyone in her neighborhood. She enjoys spending the day resting next to her mistress's fireplace. Celesse, as her mistress's favorite cat, is constantly given particular attention and has grown accustomed to the comforts of home. However, when a terrible snowstorm rages one night, she gets an urgent visit from a mother hare. Her small boy is unwell, and she badly needs Celesse's assistance; is she brave enough to overcome the cold weather to aid her? Reluctantly, the pair goes on a voyage fraught with darkness and freezing winds. Celesse confronts a difficult test in the dark woods, relying on her long-forgotten talents to emerge triumphant. In this beautiful picture book, you'll learn about Celesse's ultimate goal and the challenges she has to face along the way.

The Healer Cat tells the story of Celesse, a cat with healing abilities, and her incredible journey while aiding a hare family. Tuula Pere creates a likable character with her imperfections and sometimes lazy nature while simultaneously conveying an important message. Celesse is an excellent example of how important it is to help people even in unpleasant situations, as well as the great satisfaction that frequently comes with it. Klaudia Bezak's pictures are a fantastic accompaniment to this book since they create a comfortable and autumnal atmosphere for the narrative. I also appreciated how expressive the animals were, which made them easier to relate to. I highly recommend this book as the ideal bedtime story to enjoy with your children.