Review by Booklist Review
An elderly man who lives by himself sits on his porch each day, feeding the squirrels. One morning, on the bench under his cap, he finds a surprise: a kitten he names Hat. Soon, they're enjoying teatimes, talk, and playtime. They're inseparable, except for when the man feeds the squirrels--then Hat must remain inside ("If I let you outside, you might leave me. Or you might chase the squirrels . . . or worse"). One day, the man goes out and doesn't return. While he's away, a girl and woman come to feed and be with Hat, but he's mostly on his own, missing his companion. Even when opportunity arises to finally venture outdoors, Hat doesn't leave, nor does he chase the squirrels; he stays, waiting. Eventually, the man comes home, and they have a happy reunion, including sitting outside on their bench, together. Simply constructed, well-paced lines use repetition to reinforce the pair's feelings, which are extended in the lovely, expressive watercolor-and-pencil illustrations. An affecting, reassuring portrayal of found family.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Wilson (Little Read Reading Hood and the Misread Wolf) writes about an elderly man with a captivating daily ritual: he puts peanuts in the crease of his plaid fedora, goes outside, "and sat, as still and welcoming as a grand old tree," waiting for squirrels. Coy (Daddy-Sitting) paints a long view from the woods as the rodents look up and begin to approach ("The old man loved the squirrels. And they knew it"). One day, the white man finds a kitten on his bench under the hat and, naturally, names it Hat. He's smitten--"He let Hat do whatever he liked"--with one exception: the cat may not go outside, lest Hat "leave me. Or you might chase the squirrels... or worse." Wilson is a canny storyteller who uses rhythmic changes and repetition to make each beat right ("So he shut the door tight. Every time"). Coy contributes warm, soft-edged images in colored pencil and watercolor, clearly conveying the way the man's face crinkles up with pleasure. Anyone who's been unfairly maligned will derive special satisfaction as Hat eventually gains a chance to prove himself in this gentle picture book. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Hilary McMahon, Westwood Creative Artists. Illustrator's agent: Charlie Bowden, Pickled Ink. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--An elderly man, who lives alone, takes joy in sitting on his back porch and feeding the squirrels. He places peanuts on his hat and, sitting "as still and welcoming as a grand old tree," he allows the animals to feast. One day he picks his hat up from the bench and discovers under it a very small orange and white kitten. The kitten, promptly named Hat, has the run of the house and can do whatever he likes except go outside. Worried the animal might leave or harm the squirrels, the old man keeps Hat in the house at all times, though the feline clearly wants to venture out. One morning the old man is gone and the kitten is tended to by a woman and her young daughter. During the man's extended absence, the caretakers learn something about Hat that his owner doesn't understand until he returns home. The repetition of text creates a nice flow, while charming pastel watercolors and colored pencil illustrations depict a cozy, plant-filled home and an amiable relationship between cat and human. VERDICT An additional purchase, this would fit in collections dealing with intergenerational relationships and friendships from unexpected places.--Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek P. L., WI
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An elderly man tries to keep a stray cat away from the squirrels he feeds. Every day, while standing on his back deck, an old White man feeds squirrels by placing peanuts atop his flannel hat. One day he discovers a small surprise hiding under his hat--a small and fluffy stray cat. The man names him Hat, doting on his new pet by feeding, stroking, and talking to him. The man lets Hat do whatever he wants--with one exception. Fearing Hat might run away, chase his squirrels, or worse, the old man shuts the back door tightly when going outside to feed the squirrels. Hat watches, longingly, from inside. After the old man disappears, Hat is alone for days. A Black family arrives to feed, rub, and talk to Hat until the day he finally spies the back door open and makes a run for the deck where the squirrels wait. Outside at last, what will Hat do? This gentle tale of a kindly old man who dotes on squirrels and his kitten is moving in its simplicity. Rendered in soft color washes, the realistic illustrations create a quiet atmosphere. The body language and facial expressions of the old man and his cat reveal their deep, mutual affection. Scenes of woebegone Hat waiting alone or sadly curled into a ball in the old man's hat speak volumes. A sweet peek at the bond between a man and his cat. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
