Children

The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature / Nathan W. Pyle

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment 
The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature
By: Nathan W. Pyle
Genre: Children’s, Humor
Number of Pages: 36
Published: June 1, 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins
Dates Read: December 16, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Offspring and Lifegiver observe a strange creature that sneaks, hides, and vibrates around their house.

I have been following Nathan W. Pyle on Instagram for ages but has yet to read a book of his. This one came back at the front desk of the library while I was working up there and I immediately read it right then and there because it’s about cats.

I laughed out loud and shared the pages with coworkers throughout the day who had cats. Also have used the phrase “flavor muscle” to describe a tongue on multiple occasions.

I think this book will make both children and adults who have cats smile and laugh at the strange behaviors of these four legged felines described by aliens.

Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect / Hilda Eunice Burgos, Siara Faison (Illustrator)

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment 
Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect
By: Hilda Eunice Burgos, Siara Faison (Illustrator)
Genre: Children’s, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 160
Published: July 23, 2024
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Dates Read: September 15, 2024
Format: ARC / eBook

Miguel wants nothing more than to be far away from his family’s bodega in Washington Heights – seeing and drawing the world. For street-savvy and newly adopted cat Lolo, staying inside the bodega pounds perfect, as long as he’s out of the freezing cold.

But when Miguel ditches his responsibilities and lies to his parents about joining an art club, his art dream may come crashing down. Lolo must decide if he’s willing to be there no Miguel through anything, even venturing back outside into scary New York City sidewalks. 

This is such a cute and sweet story for young readers. The illustrations alongside the chapters added to the cuteness (though I got an digital ARC of this title, so some of the illustrations were not fully flushed out yet, I’m going to have to get my hands on a finished copy).

I also really enjoyed Lolo’s point of view – especially since the kitten seems to understand humans a lot more than we give our four legged friends credit for.

This book will be great for young readers, especially since it’s about following your passion while still balancing parental expectations as well.

*Thank you Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review