Wild

PreS-Gr 2--"Cats have minds of their own" could have been the alternative title to this sweet story about a boy and his granddad who care for a community cat. The cat, who is a regular visitor to the grandfather's house, appears to arrive on schedule for reasons only known to it. Sometimes it's for food, sometimes a cuddle, and other times to play. On this particular "cat caring day," however, the cat does not want any of this from the grandfather or grandson, who is losing enthusiasm for the cat with each rebuff. The cat, as it turns out, is just passing through on its way to other adventures. Usher's writing and illustrations evoke the work of the late Maurice Sendak and effortlessly leap from reality to imagination. The cat's disinterest in the boy's attempts at interaction are comically depicted in multiple ink and watercolor drawings on several spreads, which later become lush habitats for cats (large and small) in the wild. VERDICT A whimsical book about understanding and appreciating the natural tendencies of outdoor cats, for every collection on pets.--Tamela Chambers, Chicago P.L.

When the narrator and Granddad catsit for the day, things get a little wild. In this companion title to Free (2021), the unnamed narrator (who presents White) is excited for "taking-care-of-the-cat day" with Granddad (who also appears White). The child excitedly plans to "play with her, feed her, and cuddle her!" Alas, these plans evaporate because, as Granddad explains, "You can't make a cat do anything it doesn't want to do." When they try to cuddle the contrary cat by the fire, she dashes away and escapes out the window. At this point, the story shifts away from (potentially dire) reality as Granddad and grandchild pursue the fleeing feline and end up in a fantastic jungle. They dance with a bevy of animals at "a wild party" complete with a lion and other cats playing instruments--including, of course, a fiddle. The bipedal lions, tigers, and bear in one scene never seem threatening, though a tiger on the cover might lead readers to think it poses a threat in the story. The illustrations strike a balance between cheerily daft (two tigers wearing silly hats boogie happily) and sublime (the narrator swings on a vine past glistening, foaming waterfalls). As in Usher's other picture books, this one has a generous trim size to invite shared reading, and the watercolor-and-ink illustrations seem to channel Quentin Blake's style. (And the cat is fine.) Wild, yes, but a gentle read, too. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.