The Pawed Piper

PreS-Gr 1–A young girl desires to own a pet cat to cuddle, so she researches the things that cats like and develops a plan to attract one to her home. Her hard work pays off and not only does she attract one cat, but all of the neighborhood cats as well. Now, faced with a dilemma and many sad neighbors, the disappointed young girl sets out to make amends and discovers a wonderful surprise in the process. This book perfectly captures the feeling of wanting a pet so badly that one will do almost anything to get one. The range of emotions that are experienced in the process are palpable, from loneliness and disappointment to elation and satisfaction. The concept of doing the right thing even when it is a hard thing is also introduced. The variety of cats depicted in the watercolor illustrations is delightful and the scenes are sunny and bright, giving the story an overall feeling of hope and happiness. In depicting a scenario that many wistful young pet owners may relate to, this text has wide appeal for those in the preschool through early education years.