Jack the Library Cat

by Marietta Apollonio, Marietta Apollonio (Illustrator)

Overview

"Read it and purr."—Kirkus Reviews

When a story-loving stray meets a new kid in town, they become fast friends—and reading buddies.

A stray cat keeps turning up for story time at the library, but animals aren't allowed in the building, and besides, the children's librarian is not a cat person. Then a boy named Pascal crosses paths with the friendly feline and sneaks him inside. Soon enough, the stray cat gets a name, a home, and a group of kids clamoring to read to him. Could life be any more purr-fect?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807537527
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	05/11/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	AD470L (what's this?)
File size:	9 MB
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Marietta Apollonio is a graduate of Lesley University College of Art and Design, with a BFA in illustration. During her twenty years as a freelance illustrator, she has enjoyed eight years as a co-op gallery artist and co-owner and ten years with a Boston-based graphic design firm. She lives with her family in Harvard, Massachusetts.

Editorial Reviews

"Read it and purr."—Kirkus Reviews

"The story evokes quiet empathy for both the stray cat and the boy who misses his pet."—Booklist

"…cozy tale about how libraries are spaces for everyone—maybe even those with tails."—Foreword Reviews

From the Publisher

2022-12-14
After he upends a book cart, will an orange feline ever again be welcomed into the library?

“Jack [sneaks] through the doors of the library each morning.” He accidentally knocks over the book cart after curling up on a shelf and dozing during storytime. So light-skinned Ms. Fisher, the librarian, who is “not a cat person,” posts a sign to keep Jack out. Pascal, a new-to-the-area, brown-skinned boy with springy dark hair and red-framed glasses, accompanied by an aunt wearing a hijab, happily smuggles Jack in at every opportunity, finding clandestine nooks in which to read to the cat. When the librarian eventually discovers the guilty team, Pascal comes up with an idea that will keep everyone happy—giving Jack a job as a reading companion. The text is accessible and fun to read, with humorous phrases (“this was the last whisker”). Art with a water-pastel feeling shows a spacious, welcoming library full of diverse patrons. Jack’s sweetly crooked mouth and round eyes are endearing, as is his obvious enchantment with the library. An author’s note includes information about animals as reading buddies and a brief history of cats living in libraries. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Read it and purr. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews