The Best Cat in the World, written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Ronald Himler is a work prepared for use by parents, care givers and teachers as they work to prepare children for the inevitability of death of a beloved pet.
This story commences with a cat named Charlie and a boy named Victor.
When he was a young kitten Charlie enjoyed leaping, running and sprinting as he and Victor had fun playing together. Charlie and Victor played together a lot.
But today Charlie has grown old and because he is, he sleeps much of the time.
Charlie’s family recognized that he was not feeling up to par and they took him to the vet, the pet doctor, who had taken care of him from the time he was just a kitten. However, the vet could not help Charlie because he was not sick, he was just old.
And, as in life, Charlie went home and died with him family close by soon after his visit to the doctor. Victor was saddened and could not be cheered for two days. Mama fixed Victor’s favorite supper and Victor could not even eat it.
Victor and his mother planted a rosebush by Charlie’s grave. A mournful Victor sat often by Charlie’s grave and thought about Charlie and the fun times they had.
When Victor’s mother thought maybe they should try to find a cat who needs a home, but Victor did not want to think about it. Not too much time passed and Victor got a telephone call from Charlie’s vet. The vet told Victor he had a problem.
He asked Victor if he might help, the vet has a sad, homeless, little kitten who needs a home. Would it be possible, the vet asked, for Victor to take the cat home.
At first Victor was not certain that bringing a new cat home was a good idea. However Victor brings home the small bundle of fur. She is a girl, her name is Shelley.
Shelley does not look at all as did Charlie, she is a tortie, black with orange and white, Charlie was orange. Charlie slept on a pillow on Victor’s bed, she likes to sleep on the windowsill. She does not like to be scratched between the ears while she is eating, as Charlie did. Shelley isn’t at all like Charlie.
Shelley doesn’t do any of the enjoyable things that Charlie did, after a time Victor begins to understand Shelley is a different cat altogether and she does her own fun things. Her actions and behavior are not like Charlie's because she is not Charlie. On the other hand, Victor happily appreciates that he again has the best cat in the world.
As much as we love our cats, and take care of them, cats do not live as long as we will live. Our beloved pet will not be with us forever. And, as a parent I think that is a lesson best learned early. I was raised as a farm kid; farm kids grow up knowing that life is a cycle, birth, aging and death are all part. Somehow that helps to lessen the pain of losing a cherished pet, friend or parent, or even a child.
Even the best cat in the world doesn't live forever, and of course Victor is understandably miserable when his beloved cat, Charlie, dies. Osage County First Grade experiences the pleasure of new little siblings or cousins, and they sob when they tell that their dog or cat just died last night under the wheels of a car, or that grandpa died last night.
Adult, or teacher Reading The Best Cat in the World provides a dandy opportunity to talk about our feelings, and to begin to put into perspective our own lives as we face loss and sorrow.
Illustrator Ron Himler's watercolor and soft pencil images pair with Writer Newman’s touching narrative to perfection.
My students know that I like critters, a lot, we talk about Toes my dear Siamese who died just weeks short of her 20th birthday. And we talk as well about the homeless little Siamese lady cat I fished out from under our school building and the 6 kittens she gave birth to during the weeks following her rescue.
The Best Cat in the World is well written and much needed work that addresses the issue of death, in this case the loss of a pet with warmth and empathy. The book is offered in child friendly text, vocabulary is simple enough for young kids to comprehend, but, it does not talk down to or use –baby- language.
My class of First Graders cut right to the chase, ‘I bet you are glad that you have the kittens since Toes is dead, Mrs. M.’ The kids don’t couch it in graceful terms, but yes, I am glad that we have the kittens since our Toes is dead.
I am happy to recommend The Best Cat in the World for classroom bookshelf, public library collections, gifting a child who may have need for dealing with their grief from losing a pet, for parents, teachers and counselors who will use the book to help children begin to understand and deal with the certainty of life and death.
Available Amazon hardcover paperback
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Reviewed by Molly Reviews Books molly martin
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Internet Biography indicates: Lesléa Newman is the author of 70 books for readers of all ages, Her literary awards include poetry fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation.
Lesléa Newman is a poet, an animal lover, and the author of many successful books for young readers. Lesléa lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.
