cats

2 New Perfect Pet Picture Books

| Tasha
Cover image for The Passover Pet Surprise by Ana María Shua, illustrated by Ángeles Ruiz. Features children and a dog outside a bird cage with two birds inside.

The Passover Pet Surprise by Ana María Shua, illustrated by Ángeles Ruiz

  • Publisher: NorthSouth Books
  • Publication Date: March 3, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9780735846081

Jordanita and her family are spending Passover in Argentina. What she loves most is how many pets her aunt, uncle and cousins own.  When they get there, they spend time with all the animals. The turtles and dog join in on the water fight. Even the pet parrots are moved to the garden to watch the fun. The family gathers for Passover dinner and they talk about freedom. When Jordanita spots the birds, she thinks about freedom and knows just what to do. In the morning, when the parrots are missing, she has to admit what she did to her entire family, learning that taking care of animals can sometimes mean not letting them go free. 

Shua tells the story of this big merry Jewish family with such warmth and love. It’s like being invited to share their table with them. The jolly chaos of a holiday spent together is captured on the page both in the text and illustrations. Those illustrations are filled with small details and show clearly the diversity within their family. I particularly appreciated that there was no neat ending about the parrots returning to their cage.

A diverse title ideal for Passover collections. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Cover image for The Rare Bird by Elisha Cooper. Features a white cat leaping against an orange sky with mountains and trees below.

The Rare Bird by Elisha Cooper

  • Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
  • Publication Date: February 24, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9781250364395

The Rare Bird was flying through the forest, knocking leaves off the trees. While the pictures tell a very different story than the text, a cat leaping through the living room. Rare Bird climbed on a rock, which was actually the dog. Rare Bird did all sorts of birdy things, which also in the real world matched cat activities. Even his dreams were filled with bird thoughts. At night, he was read a story about other animals and became an Elephant! 

Cooper brilliantly allows his text and images to directly contradict one another. Children will love seeing the ways in which the cat’s life and imagined bird activities overlap as curtains are ripped, boxes are napped in and the dog slumbers on. Cooper’s text is flatly narrative like a nature program while the images are jaunty and humor-filled. 

A delight of catty attitude. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

3 New Picture Books That Have Just What You Need

| Tasha
Book cover for Bored by Felicita Sala. A white child is draped over a pile of clothing and cushions.

Bored by Felicita Sala

  • Publisher: Neal Porter Books
  • Publication Date: January 6, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9780823461141

Rita was so bored. She was too bored to read or draw or think. She tried to surprise herself in the mirror and stretch so far that she could reach the top of her door. She couldn’t do either of those. Nothing else worked either. Rita wondered how many other people in the world were bored too. Perhaps, they could all get onto a bus that would take them to a special place just for bored people. Rita imagined that the bored people would fill up like balloons from everyone yawning so much and float into the sky. In the sky, they discover an island below them that is interesting and manage to land there. It’s boring there, but people start to invent things to do. Even Rita does. But that’s when her Mom calls and Rita might just be too busy to be bored now. 

A playful yet wise look at boredom and how it can get your mind going in new directions that would not otherwise be explored. Rita and her boredom is itself a funny take filled with yawns, desperation and malaise. Her wild imaginative musings take the book in a new and colorful direction. The illustrations in the book work to show just how normal and dull Rita’s room and house are. They adjust beautifully as her imagination begins, the dull colors steadily changing. 

Just the right book for kids who could use a little boredom. Appropriate for ages 3-5. 

Book cover for Listen, Hippo! By Gabriel Evans. A boy and a hippo share a couch and a cozy blanket and talk together.

Listen, Hippo! By Gabriel Evans

  • Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
  • Publication Date: February 10, 2026
  • Reviewed from PDF sent by publisher
  • ISBN: 9798217038732

Billy was having a sad day. His friend Hippo thought he knew exactly what Billy needed. Dressing up! Billy tried to explain that it wasn’t helping, but Hippo had another idea. Perhaps dancing in the cherry blossoms or being up high in a tree. Billy tried again to explain. Hippo instead headed for a pirate ship but Billy felt seasick. Maybe magic carpets? Perhaps a party? Billy finally told Hippo that he just wanted Hippo to listen to him. So what did Hippo do next? Exactly that. 

Evans builds up the tension as Hippo ignores Billy’s needs again and again. Using more and more outrageous responses that all seem to lead to costume changes, Hippo is invested in using fun to make (perhaps force) Billy to feel happy again. When the tension breaks, the best part is that Hippo is right there for Billy, creating and holding space for his feelings, not interrupting and offering a hug at just the right time. The art in this picture book has a marvelous timeless feel as does Hippo and his wild distractions. The pair together on a couch under a fuzzy blanket is sure to give even the saddest among us a little smile. 

Get distracted by Hippo, stay for the heart-felt connection. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Book cover for What a Small Cat Needs by Natalia Shaloshvili. A grey cat looks out from the book holding a cup of milk. A bird stands next to him. Rain and clouds fill the background.

What a Small Cat Needs by Natalia Shaloshvili

  • Publisher: Enchanted Lion
  • Publication Date: January 27, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9781592704774

A small cat needs all the parts of its body, including a tail if they are willing to stand still to get one. A small cat needs to be able to run away and come back with a mouse. A small cat needs to eat, needs a place to have privacy. She needs to get wet in the rain, then protected from it. Perhaps a room with walls to stop the wind, and a window to watch the birds. She needs a door to wait at for someone to come home and hold her close.

There is so much charm in this Russian picture book that shows empathy and warmth for the small cat throughout. The book never veers into sentimentality, instead focusing on what the cat needs to survive and thrive in a cold and wet world. The text is lovely with moments of humor that will invite children to linger with this small cat. The illustrations are done in acrylic paint, watercolor pencil and digitally. They have a whimsical quality to them that matches the text, filled with softness even when dark and rainy.

A small delight of a picture book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Cat Nap by Brian Lies – Book Recommendation

| Tasha

Cat Nap by Brian Lies (9780062671288)

This picture book is pure visual joy. A cat naps in the warm afternoon sun. Awoken by a mouse, the kitten follows the mouse into a poster about Egyptian Antiquities at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The first place they land is a sculpture with hieroglyphics. They run through the sculpture, taking on the art style as they pass by. They leap to the next, this time an illuminated manuscript. Then the next where they become clay sculptures. They pass through paintings, past wooden masks, into stained glass, and Japanese ink. Finally, Kitten realizes he is lost and can’t see the mouse anywhere. A kind monk from a gold leaf painting suggests he listen for home. Kitten can hear the food being poured into his bowl! 

The final pages of this picture book show the Caldecott Honor-winning artist working on the art for this book. Instead of doing the various styles digitally, Lies created the art, including all of the pottery, stained glass, gold leaf, paintings and sculpture. It’s such a rewarding read where the physicality of the art he created truly shows on the page. These are illustrations that will stop you and make you feel.

A romp through art, this picture book is one to inspire more exploration. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Greenwillow Books.

3 Witty Witchy New Picture Books

| Tasha

Evelyn Witch Gets a Pet by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Charles Santoso (9781250804211)

Evelyn wakes up one morning with a feeling that she is missing something. It’s not her pumpkins or her potions, but it might just be a pet! However, she doesn’t have enough money for a pet of her choice and has to settle for the discounted mystery pet box. Inside is an egg. Now, Evelyn isn’t very patient, so she sets out to use her magic to hatch the egg. However, she also doesn’t know what hatches from eggs. Perhaps a unicorn? A narwhal? A porcupine? When nothing works, she decides to just be patient and take the best care of her egg. But what could be inside? A book that looks at patience through a wonderfully witchy lens. This picture book has a delight of a mystery at its center that will entice children to find out what in the world is in that egg.

A great Halloween read aloud without any scares. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Roaring Brook Press.

This Year a Witch! By Zoey Abbott (9781665956024)

The young narrator of this picture book has been a bunny for Halloween and a mouse the year before that. In fact, every year, she has been entirely adorable for Halloween. But this is the year that all changes and she dresses up as a witch. She’s been preparing by growing out her hair, making accessories, and preparing for her witch’s brew. But when she is finally ready and in her costume, she’s a bit more witchy than she can handle! With a little help from her father, she embraces her pointed hat, witchy robe and dark side. 

Abbott has created a funny and smart book about the immense decision of what costume to wear at Halloween and how regrets can set in at the last minute. Children will recognize the joy at embracing a new character, the build up to the holiday and the rush of feelings as it all starts. The illustrations add to the pleasure of the book with their vibrant Halloween colors as they capture the little girl’s emotions clearly. 

A non-scary Halloween book just right to share aloud. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Atheneum.

Witch Cat by Lucy Rowland, illustrated by Laura Hughes (9781547616718)

Pippin has always loved being a witch’s cat, but then he starts to long for something different. When he discovers a pirate ship about to leave, he is invited to join the crew and solve their mouse issues. But the sea is not the right place for seasick Pippin and he quickly leaves them at the first island they visit. It’s there that he considers very briefly being a knight’s cat but the local dragon keeps him moving. Perhaps being a pet? A cowboy’s cat? Nothing quite seems right, until he sees a rather witchy broom. But how is Pippin to find his way back home? This picture book is told in rhymes with just the right mix of Halloween and humor.

Great for sharing aloud and full of fall fun. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from copy provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

See the Dog: Three Stories about a Cat by David LaRochelle

| Tasha
Cover image for See the Dog.

See the Dog: Three Stories about a Cat by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka (9781536216295)

When the dog gets sick, cat takes his place in this sequel to See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog. In the first story, Cat has to run, bark and then dig a hole. But the cat has their own way of digging that surprises the bossy book. In the second story, the cat has to swim across the lake and fetch the stick. But cats don’t like water nearly as much as dogs do! Again, the cat makes the most of it by the end of the tale. The third story has the cat protecting a sheep from the approaching wolf. All seems lost until cat is saved and can stop being the dog in the story.

The Geisel Award winning, See the Cat was a great book for beginning readers and the second in the series keeps the same wit and silliness. The bossy tone of the book is just right, following so many beginning reader tropes with repeating words, direct orders, and all with very funny results. This is another book that will have readers laughing rather than frustrated as they start to read.

I’m fascinated that these books are done by two people, since the illustrations and the text seem to beautifully interwoven into one solid story full of humorous moments. the illustrations play with beginning reader simplicity but add in a touch of frenzy and zany energy that makes it all the better.

A grand sequel sure to charm beginning readers and the adults who listen to them read. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Candlewick.

Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima

| Tasha
Cover image for Hardly Haunted.

Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima (9781534441705)

A house stood on a hill. It was worried because it didn’t have a family to live in it. In fact, the house wondered if it might be haunted! But it didn’t want to be haunted, and hoped that if it behaved perfectly no one would notice that it was spooky. Still, there was nothing to be done about the cobwebs and dust, or the squeaky doors and stairs or the rattles in the pipes. The house tried very hard, staying perfectly still and quiet, holding her breath. But when the wind came, she couldn’t stop the scratch of branches on the roof or the groan of the wind through her windows. It let the house relax again, accepting that she was just spooky. Now all she needed was a family looking for a haunted house that rattled, groaned and squeaked.

This picture book reads aloud really nicely, inviting readers into the struggle of a house that dreams of being entirely different than she is. The writing draws out the noises that the house makes, featuring them so that children listening to the story can help make the sounds too. The house itself is a marvelous character, struggling to be different until she accepts herself as she is with all her creaks and scratches.

The art is just the right amount of spooky for preschoolers, full of purple shadows, long green grass and a black cat to enter the house with. The house herself uses her windows to great effect to smile, worry, and eventually come alight in the night.

A little spooky, full of noise and lots of fun. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from copy provided by Simon and Schuster.

Yes & No by Elisha Cooper

| Tasha
Cover image for Yes & No.

Yes & No by Elisha Cooper (9781250257338)

A dog and a cat live together. In the morning, the dog is ready for anything while the cat wakes up more slowly and with a touch of grumpiness. The dog wants breakfast, while the cat isn’t hungry. The dog helps clean up, and the cat walks off. The dog wants to play while the cat avoids him. Their owner sends them outside to play together. The dog is full of delight and eagerness, exploring the backyard with enthusiasm while the cat naps on a tree branch. Finally sent off even further, they head out together and find a common spot to sit and look at the world while sniffing the breeze. Called to come back in, now it’s the dog who doesn’t want to go back inside, doesn’t want to have a bath, or head to bed. It’s the cat who brings the blanket back and gets the dog ready to sleep. But the cat may have other ideas too.

Told in the voices of the cat, dog and their owner, this picture book is marvelously understated. The voices of each character are distinct from one another with the imperious cat, the eager dog, and the owner who’d just like a little peace. The text reads aloud beautifully, since it is solely the voices of the characters with no narration at all.

The art is classic Cooper, telling a story in deft and clever lines. The cat is an elegant black figure against the white background while the dog almost bursts from the page, often looking right at the reader and looking for fun.

A grand picture book of opposites who are the best of friends. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

Itty-Bitty Kitty Corn by Shannon Hale

| Tasha

Itty-Bitty Kitty Corn by Shannon Hale, illustrated by Leuyen Pham (9781419750915)

Kitty thinks she might be a unicorn. She puts a horn on her head and feels wonderfully unicorny. But the others don’t see her that way. Parakeet and Gecko remind her that she is a cat. But Kitty continues to be a unicorn with hooves and a horn. She even says “Neigh!” Still, Parakeet and Gecko don’t see her as anything but a kitten. When a real unicorn arrives, Kitty flops away, dejected that she can’t be anything like the shining unicorn in front of her. But the unicorn surprises Kitty with his own secret, that he sees himself as a Kitty-Corn. Suddenly Kitty realizes that she too is a Kitty-Corn and has a new friend who supports her and sees her that way too.

What starts out with dressing up and pretending becomes something much deeper in this book that explores identity and the right to be who you are. Kitty faces real derision from Parakeet and Gecko, who live on the margins of the page and comment on who Kitty thinks she is. They are rude and horrible, speaking to Kitty as if they are the only ones who can define who she is. With the arrival of Unicorn, the book changes to one of allyship and friendship.

Pham’s illustrations play into the fuzzy and sweet start of the story. Unicorn’s arrival is stunning, hooves first and then the full reveal. When he goes on to tell the truth about himself, Pham’s illustrations stay just as bright and pink and purple as before. The change happens not in the world around them, but in the magic of their connection.

A brilliant and crafty look at unicorns, kitty-corns and identity. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from copy provided by Abrams.

Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable

| Tasha
Cover image

Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable, illustrated by Stephanie Yue (9780593306321)

Katie’s friends are heading away to sleepover camp for the summer but Katie and her mother can’t afford for her to attend. When Katie discovers that she can go for just one week, she creates a plan to earn money in their apartment building. Unfortunately, she kills houseplants, isn’t strong enough to lug groceries up the stairs, and cleaning is a bust too. But when a neighbor discovers that Katie has a way with cats, she asks her to cat sit her 217 cats, who luckily are trained to use the bathroom rather than litterboxes. Very quickly, Katie realizes that these are not normal cats. They use the computer, 3D print things, order pizzas, and destroy the apartment. Just when Katie is about to lose yet another job, the cats come together and repair the apartment before their owner returns. As she continues to cat sit, Katie starts to believe that the owner just might be the infamous burglar who has been roaming the city despite the local superheroes searching for her.

This middle-grade graphic novel is purr-fect feline fun. Set in an urban area filled with less-than-super heroes and crafty villains, Katie’s life is rather mundane. She goes to school, spends time with her single mother, and looks forward to postcards from her best friend. That all changes when she starts cat-sitting and the fascinating cats take over her life. Their naughty evil natures as well as their technology skills make for an unusual job.

The art and words work well together, creating a world primarily set in the single building and the surrounding neighborhood. Full of expressive characters, dynamic cats and strange superheroes, the book is funny and has just the right amount of quirkiness.

A great book for cat lovers and babysitters alike. Appropriate for ages 9-12.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Random House Kids.