Mike the Magical Coughing Cat

PreS-Gr 3–Magic from a feline seems impossible, but not for Mike, who is the magical cat. Mike will do whatever it takes to find a home. Life on the street with fleas, dinner from garbage cans, and no one to give belly rubs is getting pretty old. While searching the bustling city, Mike sees Annabell and Rose, two lovely older ladies walking home with tuna cans. Upon discovering Mike is a stray, the women argue about who is going to take care of him. “Well, I wish I had a parrot. Then you’d have to take care of this darn cat.” Suddenly, Mike begins to wretch and cough, and a parrot is produced. This discovery leads to further wishes being granted and Mike has found a home. But will the wishes last? Soft illustrations are whimsical, with gold pops on nearly every page. Mike is portrayed as a stubby, grey ombre cat with a black tail and large eyes. Rose is tall with dark skin; Annabell is short and white. Sentences are short and dialogue appears in speech bubbles similar to early reader graphic novels. Takac (Bella and the Lost Ball) clearly knows her audience as this book oozes with great pacing and a dose of sweetness that will attract younger readers, who will root for Mike to find the perfect home despite his quirks.