The summer Nick taught his cats to read by Curtis Manley and Kate Berube

Nick does everything with his cats, Verne and Stevenson, except read. The cats are really not into the whole reading thing. Nick just can't fathom not sharing one of his favorite activities with his best buds, so he decides to teach them to read. At first, it doesn't go so well, but then Verne gets interested.

But not Stevenson. No matter how much fun Verne and Nick have reading together, Stevenson remains obdurate. But then they discover that it just takes a little searching to find the right book - and Stevenson becomes a reader. The rest of the summer is an exciting journey through books as Nick reads and adventures with his favorite friends.

Berube is a bright new talent in the picture book world and her watercolors are just perfect, showing the cats' opinion of being taught to read, from grumpy face to snarly whiskers, as well as Nick, a cheerful boy with a swirl of curls and an imagination that just doesn't stop.

While I'm usually not a fan of library or book-themed books - I feel like it's preaching to the choir and a bit self-indulgent - I can really get behind this one. It has a strong, humorous plot besides the "love reading" message and even sneaks in a subtle hint; Stevenson gets into reading after drawing and being allowed to choose his own books.

Verdict: A perfect summer read. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9781481435697; Published 2016 by Paula Wiseman/Simon and Schuster; Borrowed from another library in my consortium