Beautiful kitten Tallulah is taken from her father Solomon and abandoned, left to die. She struggles through and makes it to a new family, but after triumphing over her own problems, Tallulah finds that Tammy Lee has serious problems of her own. Does the little kitten have what it takes to help another soul?
It's always great to have a brand new kind of narrator in a novel, and there will be many readers keen to live life through Tallulah's eyes. Haven't we all wondered what it must be like to see the world from a cat's point of view? It's one thing for a writer to get into the mind of a character, quite another to take on the voice of another species and make it convincing. That's exactly what Sheila Jeffries achieves in this book, and Tallulah's tiny shoulders carry us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Animal lovers will see that Sheila has captured the true essence of our feline friends, and it's clear that she has based this story on cats of her own. This is a book that will resonate with those who see the shining light within their pet, who know that their cat understands far more than basic needs such as 'eat' and 'sleep'. Their quirks and perceptive nature are brought to vibrant life here, in a way that could only be managed by someone who knows their animals well.
Cat owners will readily recognise much of the behavior in this book, which obviously helps to sell the story. Early on, our little hero is introduced to the litter tray, and while she uses it happily the first time, she has no interest in returning until its clean, so uses alternative facilities! This opening sequence is an accurate portrayal of the initial difficulties an owner can face with a new kitten, and could make some of us think twice about our angry responses to behaviours that come naturally to kittens.
Thematically, a broad array of subjects are discussed. Some of the material here is tough meat – an age of 11 or 12 up would be recommended here – and all readers are advised that there are some upsetting scenes, as Tallulah's mission to help TammyLee sets her on a difficult and emotional road. Tallulah has a tough start to life, and after overcoming her own challenges she must help and support another – it's about courage and selflessness, and the rewards that come from guiding others through difficult times.
TammyLee has to take care of her disabled mother, so we see how challenging life can be for a teenager who has to juggle this responsibility with school and trying to live her own life – which might encourage some of us to think twice about whether or not we have a hard existence. Then there's TammyLee's ultimate secret, one which should set parents and their children talking about the kinds of difficulty that the social pressure to have sex too early can bring.
Inevitably, and perhaps most importantly, Solomon's Kitten is about that unique bond that is forged between two souls, regardless of whether they are human or animal, and how understanding can transcend mere words.
This book challenges us to see our pets in a different light, as a beloved family member, and that they are creatures with deep feelings much like us. It helps us understand compassion and emotions that young children will often come to experience far to soon. Sheila Jefferies captures the essence of love and understanding, and deals with emotional subjects that shouldn't be ignored.
Essential for cat lovers, recommended for everyone.