Book Review: 'The Cat Who Saved Books' by Sosuke Natsukawa

✰✰✰✰✰ Nerdy Rintaro Natsuki is a high school hikikomori (a person who has decided to shut themselves away from society). All Rintaro wants is to be left alone, so he can read books. However, when is grandfather dies shortly before Christmas, Rintaro suddenly finds himself more alone than he ever thought possible. Soon he'll be expected to pack up his home and his grandfather's bookshop to go live with a distant aunt he barely knows. As Rintaro finds solace in stepping into his grandfather's shoes and managing Natsuki Books, he is startled by an ordinary looking tabby with an extraordinary skill. The cat can talk, and it needs Rintaro's help. Rintaro is intrigued, and because he has nothing to lose, he agrees to help. He follows the cat into a labyrinth and is confronted by a challenge in a seemingly different dimension. Although Rintaro is plagued by self-doubt, the cat is there to bolster his confidence. 

As Rintaro completes each labyrinth, he learns to believe in himself more and more. And although not everyone can hear the cat talk, it turns out there is someone else who can, his classmate, Sayo. As they pair up with the cat to solve more challenges and rescue more books, Rintaro comes out of his shell. Just when he thinks the adventure is over, it turns out the most challenging labyrinth awaits, and the stakes are higher this time. Rintaro must solve the challenge alone if he wants to save his new friend. With time running out, Rintaro must use every bit of knowledge, courage, and feeling he has or risk losing it all. 

The Bottom Line: I don't often read fantasy fiction; however, this book reignited my interest in the genre. This quick read whisks one away to a completely differently world filled with riddles, young love, angst, self-doubt, and learning to find your calling. The main character is an unwitting hero as he helps save books from an awful end. Along the way he learns to trust his gut and also learns to trust others. This book was enjoyable and the translation kept some Japanese words, which I appreciated. This story is a bit reminiscent of Greek mythology with the use of the labyrinths as well. Highly recommended reading for those who enjoy Fantasy, Japanese literature, and mysteries. I would love to see this made into a movie. 

[Note: Added notes from both the translator, Louise Heal Kawai, and the illustrator, Yuko Shimizu, were interesting, and I wish more books included this kind of additional information.] 

Details: The Cat Who Saved Books: A Novel by Sosuke Natsukawa. Translated by Louise Heal Kawai. Hardcover English translation edition published by HarperVia in 2021. [Original published as Hon wo mamorou to suru neko no hanashi by Shogakukan in 2017.] 208 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-309572-4 

Book Review: 'The Twelve Cats of Christmas' by Feather Flores

✰✰✰✰½ In the vein of The Twelve Days of Christmas, this picture book features twelve cats. Little ones can read with their favorite adult or follow along with the included player because this is a book that talks. Following the easy directions, just turn it on, press play, and read along as twelve cats get into some holiday mischief. From batting bows to shredding paper to helping Santa, these cats know how to have fun. Along the way, little ones will learn to count up to twelve and down again. 

The Bottom Line: Vox Books are great when your child wants to read a favorite book over and over again. The pace was just right for kids to follow along, and you can always pause it or go back a page or two. Colorful and festive illustrations in mixed media added humor to the story. My favorite part was the last four pages where readers have the opportunity to meet the twelve cats and read about their likes and dislikes. This fun holiday treat is recommended for kids just learning to read. 

Details: The Twelve Cats of Christmas (Vox Books Books that Talk!) written by Feather Flores & illustrated by Carrie Liao. Hardcover picture book published by Chronicle Books in 2022. 48 p. ISBN: 978-1-4521-8461-6 

Book Review: 'Negative Cat' by Sophi Blackall

✰✰✰✰½  A little boy wants a cat more than anything. He’s been asking his parents for over 400 days. Finally they give in, but only if he feeds it, cleans his room, and spends time reading every day. At the shelter, he chooses one cat and names him Max. The little boy is so excited, but Max is not. Max doesn’t like anything, and the entire family is annoyed. The boy’s sister points out that Max is kind of negative. So when the lady from the shelter shows up to collect Max, the little boy tries everything he can think of to change their minds. Will the negative cat shape up or get returned? Read this sweet tale to find out.

The Bottom Line: This adorable picture book highlights the best in people and pets. When you put your mind to something, chances are you can do it. Check out this title for story hour or bedtime reading with kids in grades K - 2. Enthusiastically recommended. [It’s interesting to note that the digitally created illustrations were “superimposed on the reverse side of vintage wallpaper salvaged from a falling-down house.” How cool is that?]

Details: Negative Cat written & illustrated by Sophi Blackall. Picture book published by Nancy Paulsen Books in 2021. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-399-25719-3 

Book Review: 'A Street Cat Named Bob' by James Bowen

✰✰✰✰½ James Bowen was one of many buskers in London. Originally from Australia, Bowen had struggled to make his way. As a recovering addict, he had recently secured a flat. One day he noticed an injured cat in the hallway. He was immediately inspired to help this creature even though he could barely take care of himself. With little to spare, James sought medical help for the cat, now named Bob. After nursing Bob back to good health, Bowen released him. Given the choice, Bob had other ideas and decided to follow Bowen on his busking jobs. The man and cat quickly became an inseparable duo. And this is their story…one of friendship, adventure, survival, and love.

The Bottom Line: This heartwarming tale is perfect to read anytime…on a lunch break, while traveling, or even at the beach. It’s an easy read that will inspire you to look at people differently. Sadly, Bob passed away in 2020, but this story will live on and continue to inspire. Highly recommended for everyone interested in human-animal relationships, friendship, homelessness, and addiction.

Book Club Notes: In a nutshell, we loved this book! On a scale from 1 – 5 with 5 being the highest, the average rating for this book was 4.5. The movie was entertaining and captured the essence of the book. We enjoyed the unique perspective of seeing things from Bob’s point of view; how cute was that?

All in all, the book/movie taught us to see things from a different perspective, to stop stereotyping, and to give people (and animals) a chance. Most of us have interacted with a special animal sometime in our lives, so it was easy to connect with Bob’s story. Discussion questions are plentiful online, but the resource that stood out is available from the Okanagan Regional Library.

This book club pick is very highly recommended for book clubs interested in a feel good title that still has lots of deep topics to discuss. Check it out for your book club today!

Details: A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life by James Bowen. Paperback published by Thomas Dunne Books in 2012. 320 p. ISBN: 978-1-250-04867-7 

Book Review: 'The Great Pumpkin Contest' by Angie Rozelaar

✰✰✰✰ This is a tale of two little cats who have the same goal: to win the Great Pumpkin Contest. Even though they live right next door to each other, Mimi and Clara have very different approaches to growing their pumpkins. When the time comes, they separately take their entries to the contest. Mimi with one very large pumpkin, and Clara with her beautiful little ones. Along the way, one of them meets with disaster. Will the little cat ever be able to make friends now? A heartfelt gesture by a neighbor, makes the cats realize what is really the most important. 

The Bottom Line: Rozelaar serves up a charming picture book featuring the importance of friendship. Children will gravitate to the beautiful and bright illustrations created with water-soluble crayons, gouache, and collage. This seasonal book is perfect for little ones in Pre-K through K. 

Details: The Great Pumpkin Contest written & illustrated by Angie Rozelaar. Picture book published by Katherine Tegen Books in 2019. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0062741370

Book Review: 'Pumpkin Cat' by Anne Mortimer

✰✰✰✰ One late spring day, Cat wonders how pumpkins grow. Cat's friend, Mouse, decides to show her by helping her plant pumpkin seeds. As the days and months pass, the seeds grow into plants. With time and attention, flowers appear followed by little pumpkins. By the time Halloween rolls around, Mouse has a wonderful surprise for Cat.

The Bottom Line: This gentle story is perfect for any time of the year. It's a charming tale of friendship and gardening. Mortimer's beautiful illustrations are soft and colorful. This picture book will appeal to little ones and their parents. Teachers for grades K - 2 will find the "Instructions for Growing Pumpkins" at the back of the book useful as well.

Details: Pumpkin Cat written & illustrated by Anne Mortimer. Hardcover picture book published by Katherine Tegen Books in 2011. 24 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-187485-7

Book Review: 'A Very Fuddles Christmas' by Frans Vischer

✰✰✰✰✰ Fuddles is a very pampered cat. He likes to eat and take naps. His life is purr-fect. Then one day he follows his nose to a delicious meal, but his family shoos him away. It's the same with the presents, treats, and twinkling tree. What's a cat to do? Fuddles decides to run and finds himself outside where it's cold and icy. To make matters worse, those pesky squirrels won't leave him alone. So up the tree he goes to chase them. When the squirrels jump, Fuddles jumps too. Then down, down, down the chimney he goes to find a Christmas surprise waiting just for him.

The Bottom Line: This clever picture book will delight both the young and the young at heart. Vischer's fantastic illustrations are colorful and playful. A Very Fuddles Christmas is the purr-fect holiday treat for kids ages 3 - 7. The large print and easy words also make this a great pick for story time. 

Details: A Very Fuddles Christmas written & illustrated by Frans Vischer. Hardcover picture book published by Aladdin in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-4169-9156-4

Book Review: 'Deadfall Hotel' by Steve Rasnic Tem

✰✰✰ Ever since Abby Carter perished in a house fire, Richard  and his daughter Serena have been searching for a place to call home. When Richard responds to an ad seeking a proprietor for the Deadfall Hotel, he is surprised to be offered the job. Together Richard and Serena pack up their meager belongings and move, but nothing could have prepared them for what awaits at the Deadfall Hotel.

You see, the hotel is no ordinary inn. Through the guidance of Jacob Ascher, the previous proprietor, Richard slowly begins to learn the ins and outs of the hotel. While guests do come and go as expected, some guests never leave. Stranger yet, some guests have peculiar and even dangerous habits that must be catered to. Richard learns that being the proprietor of the Deadfall Hotel includes so much more than manning the front desk and overseeing the staff; he’s also the recreation director and the gardener to name a few of the many hats he must learn to wear.

Eventually, as the seasons change, so do Richard and Serena. They become accustomed to the idiosyncrasies of the hotel, which serves as a kind of safe harbor for lost souls. By living in an environment surrounded by death, Richard and Serena learn how let go of their own “ghosts” and live again.

The Bottom Line: Deadfall Hotel is a peculiar, different kind of book; each chapter tells its own story and all the chapters are woven together to form the book. While I enjoyed the eerie atmosphere of this book, I found myself longing for more information about the hotel, its guests, and Jacob, the previous proprietor. Recommended for fans of horror and for those wanting to read something new and different. This one is intriguing and a bit odd. Finally, sensitive readers concerned about the treatment of animals will want to steer clear of this one; it does contain scenes of animal abuse.

Details: Deadfall Hotel by Steve Rasnic Tem. Paperback published by Solaris in 2012. 304 p. ISBN: 978-1-907992-83-4

Book Review: Minifred Goes to School by Mordicai Gerstein

✰✰✰✰ Mr. and Mrs. Portly have been wanting a baby. Instead they get a precious little kitten. They name her Minifred and raise her just like a little girl. She wears clothes, reads, and sings. Only Minifred doesn't like to follow the rules. When her best friend, Olivia, goes off to school, Minifred decides to go too. Unfortunately, school has lots of rules, and Minifred breaks all of them. According to the principal's copy of The Big Rule Book, 'ALL students must obey all the rules.' Will Minifred have to leave school? Are kittens even allowed in school? Check out this cute picture book to find out.

The Bottom Line: Minifred Goes to School is a charming, fantastical tale about a talking kitten who was raised like a little girl, but behaves like the cat she really is. It's a fun picture book for kids going to school for the first time or getting ready to go back to school. Children will enjoy Gerstein's colorful illustrations too. Recommended for kids in grades Pre-K - 2. It's also a humorous pick for story hour.

Details: Minifred Goes to School written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. Hardcover published by HarperCollins Children's Books in 2009. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-075889-9

Book Review: Making Rounds with Oscar by David Dosa

✰✰✰✰ Oscar is not just your average housecat; he is a cat with a calling. As a resident of Steere House, he tends to the dying. Oscar has a knack for knowing when a patient is ready to pass on. Then he settles in on their bed and oversees their last moments on earth making the process just a little more comfortable for patients, their families, and staff alike. Oscar is so accurate that over time, the staff has come to rely on him to know when to notify families.

In addition to sharing observations about Oscar's uncanny gift, Dr. Dosa also imparts information to the reader about dementia related illnesses and hospice care. Many of the stories presented are uplifting although some tend to blend together after a while.

The Bottom Line: Dr. Dosa weaves together Oscar's tale with a collection of informative and touching patient stories. I originally chose this title for my nonfiction book club to read; it turned out to be their favorite book of the year. Don't let the topics of hospice, dementia, and dying deter you from reading this book. Pick it up and start reading; you'll be glad you did. Highly recommended for anyone who has a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. Also, recommended for medical students and professionals looking to gain a deeper understanding of hospice care.

Details: Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat by David Dosa. Hardcover published by Hyperion in 2010. 240 p. ISBN: 9781401323233

For more information, visit Dr. Dosa's website or the Steere House website.