The Little Kitten by Nicola Killen

Fall - and Halloween - seem like unreachable goals right now, but they'll be here before we know it! And while we don't know what traditions like trick-or-treating will look like this year, one thing is for sure - there will always be time for stories!

Ollie, an adorably plump little girl in a cat costume, heads outside to play with her cat Pumpkin. When they uncover a shivering little black kitten in a pile of leaves, they are delighted with their new friend and have lots of fun playing together. In fact, Ollie gets so excited about the kitten, she leaves Pumpkin behind! After she helps the kitten return to his mysterious home with a little magical help, she remembers Pumpkin - and realizes she, herself, is lost! Fortunately, Pumpkin comes to the rescue and, happily reunited, the next day Ollie finds a present from the little kitten.

Killen's art is all soft shades of gray, sprinkled with gold-tipped orange leaves and Ollie's rosy cheeks. There are hidden little secrets on each page, from die-cut windows to embossed gold lines on the orange pumpkins. Careful readers will see the little kitten reunited with his owner, zipping through the sky on a broomstick, through the window in the penultimate picture.

This gentle story will be acceptable to most families, even those who do not celebrate Halloween. The witch is only shown once, a tiny detail, and other than a little fear when Ollie is lost there are not scary elements to the story. Even the Jack o'lantern Ollie receives has a little kitten face on it. A sweet story for Halloween and a comforting tale about finding home.

Verdict: This would be a delightful addition to Halloween storytimes and collections; It's sure to be a favorite for families with little ones that want something Halloween-themed, but not too scary. And who can resist those adorable kittens, from Ollie to Pumpkin?

ISBN: 9781534466968; Published July 2020 by Paula Wiseman/Simon and Schuster; Review copy provided by the publisher; Donated to the library