Do you like cats? As the saying goes, you should never trust someone who does not like cats. Or is that dogs? No, I’m sure it is cats…. Regardless which (or both) it is, if you like cats, and if you like reading, and if you like picture books these three below titles are books you should investigate reading. Each one is a bit different, but they could work for most people and most ages.
First, we have Lost Cat! Jacqueline K. Rayner made a simple story about how one cat does not show up for dinner (an unusual event indeed). Now, the little girl of the story wonders where her friend has gone, looks hard for them, even puts up posters, but cannot find them. Now, we the reader know the cat is okay, and having the adventure of nine-lifetimes. The art is colorful, basic, not overly flashy, but is fun. And the story has two possible explanations for the travels of cat. You can take it literally that the cat adventures, or you can think it is the young girl imagining what fun things the cat is doing. It might not be for all readers, but it is an experience for the right one.
Now unlike the cat in the above story who is missing, but we know basically where they are, Mister Kitty is Lost! in the book of the same name. Greg Pizzoli has a story where a young girl and her dog go off to find her other pet, Mister Kitty. Now, this time instead of a straightforward story, we have “hidden clues” in short, a step above Dick and Jane level, that make us thing we might have found the Kitty in question (her cat has four orange paws, pink nose, act.) and her loyal friend the dog tries to help but keeps getting himself into some sticky situations. The humorous ending has a twist you might not see coming. Artwork is terribly basic, simplistic, and aimed at the young listeners.
And while there is a surprise kitty in book two, book three has an obvious kitty. Or tiger. When it is a not so shiny day, Dario is wondering what can happen to spice things up. And in the pantry, he finds a tiger. The interesting part of the story is you never hear/see the word tiger in the text until the end. The idea is having fun, being kind and imagination. Sometimes, a Tiger by Z. B. Asterplume has a slightly more complex illustration base, but still a simpler text format. It is not easy but certain not difficult, and is aimed for the slightly older reader, but works on levels. There is a small side-story that does is not pushy, but it is there for those willing to discuss.
