Lost Cat by C. Roger Mader (review)

Slipper the cat enjoys her cozy life with “Mrs. Fluffy Slippers,” the owner of the fluffy bedroom slippers Slipper loves to snuggle with. When Mrs. Fluffy Slippers moves away, Slipper is accidentally left behind. After chasing the moving van to no avail, she finds herself in the big, wide world where she encounters a dog, a big horse, a smelly truck, and a kid who tries to catch her; when she decides to follow a pair of shiny girl’s shoes down the street, she’s delighted to be led to a house that holds a warm welcome—and her beloved fluffy-slippered owner, who’s the grandmother of the little girl in shiny shoes. There are dozens of lost pet stories but this one skillfully utilizes an intriguing cat’s-eye-perspective, vivid illustrations, and a happy (if unrealistic) ending to satisfying effect. Succinct, sonorous text (“Slipper felt a flash of fear, and in a heartbeat, she fled”) also makes for smooth reading aloud. Mader’s almost photorealistic illustrations (done in deftly blended pastels on paper) are compelling in their detailing, composition, and lighting. Scenes range from close-ups of the green-eyed, tabby tuxedo Slipper and the feet she encounters on her adventures to occasional shots of the cat from a distance; especially dramatic is the spread in which Slipper discovers she is lost, a tiny silhouette against a sunset sky, surrounded by dark forest. The attractive cat pictures and the circular storyline make this a fine addition to a cat- or pet-themed storytime; providing a real cat for furry snuggles will undoubtedly enhance the reading experience.