Cat Wishes by Calista Brill (review)

Cat’s tummy is rumbling, but when the snake he pounces on for a snack offers up three wishes to save his life, Cat’s intrigued despite his skepticism and he lets the reptile go. Despite believing “There’s no such thing as a wish,” he allows that if there were, he’d wish for fish. Lo and behold, he stumbles onto a pond and a page turn later there are fish skeletons galore (and a dainty burp from Cat). When he needs shelter from a rainstorm, his wish apparently leads him to the warm glow of a house, and he slips inside; then his third wish, for a friend, is fulfilled when a small girl walks in with her own tale of snake-granted wishes. The wish theme is classically folkloric, as is the three-part structure of the tale, and rhythmic cadence and gentle repetition give the book an easy storytelling tone. The art sets smudgy, subdued tones against a creamy backdrop, while pops of color, especially when Cat thinks of his wishes, contrast with the earth tones. Our snaggle-toothed kitty hero puts on airs, but viewers will easily spot his hesitant hope for magic and his joy as he snuggles up with the girl. This could refresh a well-trodden cat or fairy-tale themed storytime, but it might be best enjoyed as a quiet lapsit with a purring pet pal nearby.