Review by Booklist Review
Cat is a scrappy tabby in a patched shirt and suspendered slacks who lives in a cardboard box in an abandoned lot. The lot is Cat's domain. He keeps it clear of intruders and only leaves to rummage for food. A storm alters his status quo when it upsets a bird's nest. Cat rescues the one unbroken egg, which soon hatches a little pigeon and an unexpected friend. Pigeon, who chirps adorably in emojis, helps expand Cat's horizons, but when she fails to return to the lot one night, Cat knows he must leave his familiar confines and search the city for her. As he does so, he leaves chalk-art messages for Pigeon on walls and sidewalks, and he is surprised by the friendliness and beauty he finds in the city's streets. Eventually, the friends are reunited in a heartening conclusion of urban renewal and community. Hemingway fills his illustrations with entertaining details and variation (nighttime silhouettes, spot art, peeks into another perspective), creating a dynamic reading experience and a friendship tale worth reading.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The arrival of a baby pigeon prompts an anxious feline stray to venture outside the confines of his city lot in Hemingway's heartening picture book. Following love at first egg crack, Cat and Pigeon's caring relationship soon manifests through presents from adventurously airborne Pigeon. Upon receiving red chalk from the fowl's outings, Cat covers the lot's walls with pictorial tributes to his avian friend. After the bird fails to return one night, the feline goes in search, marking his path with chalk signs, and in the process growing comfortable with the world ("With every new message that Cat makes, the city looks a little more like home"). Stylized mixed-media art maps Cat's transformation, presenting a muted palette that shifts to vibrant as the compassionate, genuinely moving tale builds to an "all are welcome here" conclusion. Ages 4--8. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--Cat, in collared shirt, suspenders, and pants, is an angry hermit that lives in a cardboard box in a vacant lot. In this cartoon representation of the urban decay of a city center, Cat learns the importance of friendship and community by saving the life of Pigeon. Pigeon and Cat learn about each other through speech bubbles that hold emojilike icons; Pigeon heals, then flies away from the abandoned lot and brings back gifts for Cat that readers will recognize as chalk, crayon, and other supplies that can be used in service of art. Cat is resistant to traveling the world beyond his abandoned lot, but celebrates the gifts with rebus drawings on one of the walls facing the abandoned lot. However, one day Pigeon flies away and does not return; thus begins a growth opportunity for Cat, opening the curmudgeon's heart and leading to a joyful reunion with Pigeon. The exquisite, vibrant handcrafted oil paintings on board are paired with 10--20-word texts on Pigeon's and Cat's thoughts and actions. VERDICT A splendid paean to the power of art to heal, and the trifecta of friendship, persistence, and inclusivity to rebuild community. A delightful book.--Vi Ha
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Review by Horn Book Review
A loner cat and an adventurous, outgoing bird are paired in this heartwarming story of friendship and community. Previously, Cat lived a small and solitary life in an abandoned lot, venturing out only to search for food and hissing at other strays he meets. When Cat rescues and cares for a baby pigeon, the world begins to open up, as Pigeon brings Cat various treasures and Cat uses them to transform one of the walls of the lot into "something beautiful." Then the two friends are separated. Cat's long search for Pigeon forces him to explore his city (populated by anthropomorphized cats and dogs) and meet his neighbors, leading to a much more cheerful home when the two are finally reunited. Hemingway's oil-on-board art has an animated quality that jumps off the page. The use of bright contrasts and dynamic perspectives helps bring the city and its inhabitants to life. Along with the main text, all of the dialogue is presented in speech bubbles, with Cat using words and Pigeon "speaking" in emoji-like symbols, which young readers will enjoy deciphering. A satisfying story exploring heart and home. Eric Carpenter May/June 2022 p.122(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An interspecies lovefest starring two urban strays. Depicting his anthropomorphic animals (except Pigeon) in ragged clothes, Hemingway pairs an anti-social stray cat who lives in an abandoned lot with a small gray bird who hatches in his lap from a fallen egg. Once Pigeon learns to fly, she begins bringing him paint, crayons, and other gifts…but then one day fails to come back. Cat leaves the lot to search for her--chalking messages on walls, sharing fish heads with other strays, and, in time, finding the city a more welcoming place than he had imagined. And, when at last he comes back, he discovers that not only has Pigeon returned, but she has brought with her a host of animal friends who have turned the entire lot into a verdant, brightly decorated public art space with a round table at the center where all can celebrate together. As if the storyline isn't cozy enough on its own, Hemingway sets it in a city as shiny and squeaky clean as can be, festooned with hearts, rainbows, and smiley faces. Even more adorably, Pigeon speaks entirely in emoticons and rebuses. These are fairly easy to follow, but, perhaps in a concession to less versatile readers (parents, for instance), Pigeon's longest speech--in which she explains to Cat that she was injured in a thunderstorm and what she has been up to since--comes with a translation. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sweet tale celebrating the joys of both personal and communal togetherness. (Picture book. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
