From School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1—A neighborhood's orange and white cat with mismatched eyebrows has many names because he claims one at each house he visits on Blossom Street. From a young ballerina to bird-watchers to gardeners, the feline's multicultural family members seem unaware of one another's existence until he goes missing. He's discovered at the home of an ignored woman, where he has decided to take up permanent residence. Luckily for all, the entire clan is eager to visit him, bringing collaboration to the community and providing the former recluse with company. Warm colors and busy vignettes keep the pages engaging. VERDICT This variation on the favorite Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore is a fun read-aloud that shows how cultural diversity coexists with emotional commonality.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
Review
The focus on friendly camaraderie and community-building will be appreciated by many adults eager to share their values, and this quiet tale, with the children in their lives.
—Kirkus Reviews
In her debut as both author and illustrator, Harnett gets everything right. Her story is touching without being overly sentimental (which is no easy feat). And her gorgeous illustrations perfectly suit the mood.
—The New York Times
[A] poignant and quietly humorous portrait of a community coming together [...] Mixing small vignettes with larger street scenes, Harnett nimbly juggles her large cast and the twin emotions of loneliness and contented companionship that she threads though this moving story.
—Publisher’s Weekly
Katie Harnett’s charming story celebrates the simultaneous cunning and caring of one very special cat, and his ability to bring together a whole community of humans.
—Janet Minichiello, Politics & Prose
Harnett has created a lovely reminder of the importance of noticing the loneliest, the neediest, in our midst. It is a necessary, touching reminder that will resonate for young and old, paired with warm, expressive, detailed illustrations that depict a beautifully diverse neighborhood.
—Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop
It gets right to the nub of modern urban life — the wonderful diversity, coupled with the isolation and awkwardness that means we may just about know the names of the people next door but, beyond that, it’s a smile and a nod at best.
—A Bookish Life
Archie is truly a cat looking for his forever home, and I'm proud to say he has a home on my shelf!
—Let's Talk Picture Books, Best Picture Books of 2016
From the Back Cover
The cat who lives on Blossom Street is called something different by everyone, and loved by all. But there is one house on the street that he hasn't visited yet...
From a wonderful new picture book talent comes a sweet and memorable tale about communities, friendship, and not forgetting those around us.|
The cat who lives on Blossom Street is called something different by everyone, and loved by all. But there is one house on the street that he hasn't visited yet...
From a wonderful new picture book talent comes a sweet and memorable tale about communities, friendship, and not forgetting those around us.
About the Author
Katie Harnett graduated from an Illustration BA at the University of the West of England, followed by an MA in Children's Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art. She received the Bologna Children's Book Fair ARS IN FABULA Grant Award in 2015.
