Dear Stray

by Kirsten Hubbard, Susan Gal (Illustrator)

A prickly kitten and the child who chooses it revel in being kindred spirits while they both learn how to live with their wild side.

When a little girl adopts a tigerish stray kitten from the shelter, her family isn't sure about her choice. But she can see that she and the kitten have lots in common as they both have a tendency to lash out when they’re uncomfortable. The little girl does her best to be patient and give her kitten plenty of space, treating it the way she likes to be treated. And in doing so, somehow they figure out just the right ways to help calm each other. A poignant text and evocative art make this story about two friends who share the heart of a tiger a standout.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Animals, Emotion, Childrens, Family, Fiction

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2023

About the author

In search of transcendent backdrops for her novels, Kirsten Hubbard has hiked ancient ruins in Cambodia, dived with wild dolphins in Belize (one totally looked her in the eye), slept in a Slovenian jail cell, and navigated numerous desert apocalypses (her cult is satirical, she swears). But she always comes home to California.

Kirsten is the author of the young adult novels LIKE MANDARIN and WANDERLOVE (Delacorte Press/Random House Children's Books); the middle-grade novels WATCH THE SKY and RACE THE NIGHT (Disney-Hyperion); and co-author of the SECRETS OF TOPSEA series as Kir Fox. She is also author of the picture book DEAR STRAY (Nancy Paulsen/Penguin).

Reviews

[Theo Scully · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is actually about me and my boy

[Jessica Calaway · Rating 2 out of 5]

3 - 7 years

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Dear stray,
Some kittens are born with extra claws, like you.
My mom doesn't understand why,
with so much fluff and fuzz and floof to choose from,
I picked sticky, scratchy, spiky you.

Story is about a little girl bonding with her adopted kitten. Both are a little 'wild' and 'prickly' and hard-to-get-to-know. The little girl relates to the kitten as they both are little but have Tiger size emotions.

I really LOVED the illustrations. They are vibrant and so expressive. Story line is good as well watching both the girl and the kitten become a little softer around the edges.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl picks the spicy kitten at the adoption center. Her family isn't sure why she picked the standoffish one, but she reveals how she thinks they are kindred spirits. She also feels like sometimes there's a tiger inside.

Aww, a little book about self-awareness and taming prickly little beasts with patience, kindness, and love, whether those covered in fur or those wearing socks. Not all kids are naturally bubbly or warm, and this is a story for them. I love the illustrations in this. They're so unique, and perfectly reflect the tone and theme of the book.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for pet lovers, told in letters. I love the illustrations too

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this, but I wonder if the ending negated the theme?

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And when I saw so much FURY in your furry face, I thought maybe we needed each other." ...."All the world's a cage when you're a cat with the heart of a tiger." .... "You're my tiny tiger in kitten's clothing."

What a glorious story! Hubbard's fabulous use of imagery and emotional tumblings are only equalled by Susan Gal's magnificently bold spiky illustrations.

The narrator of this title obviously lives her life on an emotional roller coaster of her own making (or her given disposition) and when her mother takes her to the cat adoption center, she finds a stray with extra claws and a matching spiky personality. At home, the kitten is wild but the narrator loves her, understanding that "nothing can hurt you if you scratch first". This story makes me want to give every wild child a sparky spiky wild kitten like this who understands their moods perfectly.

Susan Gal's illustrations are unmatched for delivering the visuals that show how child and kitten live lives begging for the wild.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

  When a child takes home a "difficult" kitten for a pet, they both begin to learn about each other and how to accept their true nature. This book really struck a cord with me. Unpopular an opinion as it may be, sometimes some kids take a little more effort than others, the Calvins of kids per se. As a mother of a Calvin-kid myself, this book was perfect. My child and the child in this book are not bad kids, just kids with bigger emotions, bigger imaginations. From the mismatched socks to the chaotic drawings, the illustrations in this book are spot-on with the text, both beautifully portraying the wildness of a Calvin-kid. A wonderful book to remind us that strays and kids may be more prickly than others, but they also may need a little more love and acceptance.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. This was a powerful story. A young kid brings home a stray who is spiky and mean. It doesn’t want to let anyone close and it’s always scratching. The kid seems to understand it as he feels the same way. By watching and learning from the kitten, he feels better. The kitten does come around.

The artwork is watercolor, ink and digital. The relationship set up with the art is fantastic. You can gradually see them getting closer together as time goes on. Their prickliness comes through the artwork so well.

A great story about accepting our own prickly nature. I can certainly have mine.

Kids who love cats will flip over this story.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Dear stray,
Some kittens are born with extra claws, like you.
My mom doesn't understand why,
with so much fluff and fuzz and floof to choose from,
I picked sticky, scratchy, spiky you.

Premise/plot: A little girl bonds with her new kitten. The book shows page by page how these two are similar. Both are a little 'wild' and 'prickly' and hard-to-get-to-know.

My thoughts: I really LOVED the illustrations. The illustrations are so expressive. I enjoyed the story as well. I liked seeing the slow progress of the relationship. I think this is realistic.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why would you pick the prickly kitten? This child chooses to adopt a pet that leads with their claws instead of their floof, in part because the child themself often feels prickly. The story offers an opportunity to talk through those grumpy, irritable feelings; there's even a moment of pause to feel the breeze on your face and let go of some of those irritations. I especially liked the scene where our prickly child talks about her grumpy day.

The illustrations mimic the soft/prickly conversation going on in the text: they are both bold and sharp, and full of warm, bold, fluffy colors.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl chooses to adopt a scratchy, scraggly little kitten. On the outside, the kitten doesn't look very cute, quite the opposite. On top of that, it lashes out and scratches when it can. But the little girl, against her parents wishes, takes the kitten in because she sees a part of herself in the kitten. As she cares for it, she gives it space and waits for it to be ready to come to her.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love animals, you may also share the sentiment that they can be better than people in many aspects. A scrappy kitten and their new human might be easily misunderstood by others, but as they spend time together, they form a bond that readers will recognize and resonate with in relation to their own beloved critters.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book. A socially challenged child picks a socially challenged kitten from the shelter. The story is sweet and very relatable to any child who has felt like they don't fit in. If you have ever thought "I don't do people" or "it's too peoplee out" then you will get all the feels from this book. Illustrations are wonderful too.

[Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes my cat rescuing pushover heart so full! I saw a quote the other day "I'm a friend to all cats, even the mean ones. They have their reasons." and now I'm crying over a silly little cat picture book and I need to go give all my prickly stubborn tiny ex feral/stray wannabe tigers a hug they will fight me over.

[Monet · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ideal read for kiddos with sensory issues, ADHD kiddos who struggle to sit still (a lot like the main character!) and all kiddos who feel like the black sheep of their family. It contains a great lesson for kiddos to learn at a young age: just because some people may think you're difficult to love doesn't mean you don't deserve to be ❤️

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute but not outstanding cat picture book about a child who adopts a prickly, scratchy cat and identifies with the cat's sometimes difficult personality.

Themes: Cats, Social Emotional
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so effective. The illustrations -- of a wild cat and a girl who feels a little out of sorts -- are colorful and sketchy and inviting. I love picture books of all cats, but this one, about a spiky cat with extra claws -- is unique and lovely.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl chooses a feisty kitten at an adoption event. This book is a letter from the little girl to the kitten. She talks about how she chose the kitten because she feels spiky at times like the kitten.

A sweet, sweet story. Recommended.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stray kitten is as wild and spiky as the girl who adopts it. Told in short addresses that read like letters, the story of how the two come together is warm and satisfying. Brilliant, bold illustrations in black brushstroke and glowing colors are by Susan Gal.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this story.

[Ariana Katalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The colors of the illustrations bring to life and even give a new layer of depth to an already visceral story of a young kid who takes in a stray cat that is just like her.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adopting a "less desirable" cat all while dealing with emotional regulation and feeling "less desirable" sometimes.

Sweet adoption story.

[Amity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm trying to do better. Sometimes it feels like I'm always trying and trying.

Another day, another picture book that makes me tear up at the reference desk. 5 spiky days out of 5

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes: cats, emotions
Ages: older elementary age
Pub year: 2023

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty cute, and I would probably give it 4 stars if I was more of a cat person. But I'm not.

[mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable. Cute story on the surface about a stray kitten, but also helping kids (and grownups!) understand that sometimes anger is really rooted in fear.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotions and compassion are explored in this sweet book about a kid giving a spicy stray a home.

[Ayedria Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a pretty book! It's so adorable

[Janeene · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the illustrations and the way author mirrors story of the "prickly" cat with the kid in story