I’m a sucker for a sweet story about people and their pets. Hat Cat by Troy Wilson and Eve Coy is just such a story, featuring a sweet little kitty, some curious squirrels and a kind and loving older gentleman.

The old man loved the squirrels and the squirrels loved the old man. One day a new little animal friend made it’s way to the old man’s backyard and quickly earned a place in his heart and home.

Troy Wilson paints such a lovely picture with the way the words flow from the pages. The text is very simple, perfect for this story of companionship and trust. There are phrases that are repeated throughout which really creates an intimacy to the story and invites the reader in to participate in the telling of the story, especially when used as a read aloud or cuddle up story.

I also appreciated how Troy Wilson left the man not coming home open ended. It allows for questioning and inferring, great for looking at reading comprehension and for young readers making connections to happenings in their own lives.

Eve Coy’s illustrations are darling! The sweet little kitty and the squirrels along with the human characters in the story are drawn in a way that is so warm and loving. Her watercolour and coloured pencil images create a softness which adds to the warmth of the whole story.