Hi Everyone!
It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday, and I’m thinking about how much I love October because of all the wonderful autumn and Halloween picture books there are. 😊 ☢️
This one is new this year from talented author/illustrator Nicola Killen and I think you will be as taken with it as I am!
Title: The Little Kitten
Written & Illustrated By: Nicola Killen
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, July 21 2020, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8 (though I think kids slightly younger would enjoy it too!)
Themes/Topics: seasons (autumn – with a nod to Halloween), kindness, friendship, doing the right thing
Opening: “It was a crisp autumn morning, and Ollie was heading outside to play, closely followed by her cat, Pumpkin.“
text and illustration copyright Nicola Killen, 2020, Paula Wiseman Books
Brief Synopsis: Ollie and her cat Pumpkin come upon a tiny kitten shivering in a pile of fallen leaves. Ollie warms the kitten up and the three become fast friends, but when Ollie sees “Lost Kitten” posters she knows she has to help her new friend get home.
Links To Resources: Make Your Own Kitty Pumpkin 1; Make Your Own Kitty Pumpkin 2; Kitty Pumpkin Cookies (the recipe shows other kinds of faces, but you can add ears and whiskers 😊); write a haiku about autumn (examples to inspire you on the link)
text and illustration copyright Nicola Killen, 2020, Paula Wiseman Books
Why I Like This Book: I know quiet books are not the “in” thing, but I love them 😊 This book is so sweet and lovely, such a gentle story about friendship and caring on a crisp autumn day. Ollie, dressed in her cat costume, her cat Pumpkin, and the Little Kitten are three of a kind – perfect playmates. Ollie’s distraction with the kitten (which makes her lose track of her beloved Pumpkin) is very believable. Her kind heart helps her get the kitten to its rightful home. And the moment when she can’t find Pumpkin is touching and saved from being too tearful by Pumpkin’s happy reappearance. The art is what really makes this story special, though. Little die-cut windows allow for an interactive experience on some of the pages. Other pages shine with foil leaves. The simple color palette lets the warm orange really stand out. And the combination of text and art makes for a quiet, comforting story about everyone ending up where they’re supposed to be.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
text and illustration copyright Nicola Killen, 2020, Paula Wiseman Books
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
What a sweet story Susanna. I adore those illustrations. That cat suit is sooo cute. I’m glad no cats were hurt (other than feelings) in the making of this story! 🙂 Thanks, added it to my TBR list.
Awww. Such a sweet Halloween story. Can’t wait to see the illustrations you describe.
I was looking for another new Halloween story to gift. Such a sweet story. Love the illustrations!
What am I doing here? That book is cute as a button, but chock full of kitties. Ugh. This is no place for a doggie.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I put this book on my TBR list. It sounds so sweet and I love the illustrations.
I’m always up for a kitty story. And I love the art – the way orange stands out so nicely. I need to get my hands on a copy to check out the die-cut windows!
Being a fan of quiet stories, too, this one really appeals to me. The art is wonderful; pairs so perfectly with the text. Glad to know about this one! Congrats to Nicola and thanks for featuring it, Susanna.
I’m full of awwwws at this book. It took me back to when my son dressed like a kitten for Halloween. This is such a sweet story. I, too, am a fan of quiet.
I love this incredibly sweet story! And the illustrations are so charming; they work beautifully with the text. I too love “quiet” books, they make for a perfect nap/bedtime read. Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to read it.
Such a sweet looking story, Susanna…thanks for being our Perfect Picture Book fearless leader.
IMO quiet books ARE the “in” thing! and this is an adorable one!
This sweet story will warrant a trip to the book store! Thanks Susanna for bringing Perfect Picture to us!! 🙂
This is so adorable! I do enjoy quiet books! Thanks for sharing!