This Story Is Not About a Kitten

K-Gr 3–The tiny black-and-white kitten is hungry, dirty, and alone. She needs a home. But this story is mostly of how first a dog, then a mom and little girl, and then neighbors of all kinds come to the rescue. It’s about community, neighborliness, and cooperation more than about just one lost kitten. Full-color, detailed illustrations add to the cumulative rhymes and show how working together benefits not only the rescued kitten but all the people who build friendships and find commonality based on their mutual concern. This is an uplifting and heartfelt story without being maudlin, and children will enjoy both the story of a rescued kitten and the rhyme that builds from simple to complex, reflecting the intricate mosaic that is a neighborhood. Recommended for younger students for independent reading and as a read-aloud.