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The Lost Kitten
When a tiny stray kitten turns up on the doorstep, Hina and her mother take the kitten in. Hina makes a home for her and learns all about caring for a living creature. Then one day the kitten goes missing.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 27, 2019
Originally published in Japan, this story tells of a little girl called Hina and her mother who find a kitten on their doorstep. The mother cat and siblings walk away, it's suggested they know this kitten is weak and will be looked after here. I was surprised and shocked that Hina says 'If we're going to have a kitten I'd rather get a cute one from the pet shop' I can't imagine a child saying that and not instantly feeling sorry for the poor little thing. However the mum takes the kitten in and cleans it's eyes and makes it a bed. Whilst Grandma rests in the other room Mum goes to buy some cat food, leaving the Hina to look after the kitten. When Hina can't find the kitten she thinks it might be lost and goes into the garden to look for it. Hina empathises more with the kitten now and remembers a time when she was lost and thinks how the kitten might be feeling without it's mother. The kitten is found curled up asleep and mum comes home with some cat food.
This book has beautiful illustrations and after initially not feeling sorry for the kitten, Hina does feel empathy for it and hopefully this kitten will have a loving and caring home. It was good to see the mention of a bell for the kittens neck to warn birds and wildlife but it would have been good to have a mention of the problem of stray cats and kittens and how neutering would be good to ensure more cats aren't homeless when this one grows up.
This book has beautiful illustrations and after initially not feeling sorry for the kitten, Hina does feel empathy for it and hopefully this kitten will have a loving and caring home. It was good to see the mention of a bell for the kittens neck to warn birds and wildlife but it would have been good to have a mention of the problem of stray cats and kittens and how neutering would be good to ensure more cats aren't homeless when this one grows up.
picture-books
July 6, 2017😿😿😻😻😻
I LOVE these illustrations.
I LOVE these illustrations.
December 26, 2016
It's all about subtle touches and compassion toward another living thing in this picture book originally published in Japan. For one thing, the illustrations contain interesting tones, tints, and shadings that make readers look twice at each page. For another important consideration, the story itself is told in a heartfelt way, revealing the main character's reluctance to take in a kitten that isn't particularly cute or healthy. The story begins when Hina and her mother open their door to find a sick stray kitten whose mother apparently has decided they are to be trusted with one of her offspring. They clean its eyes, feed it, and make it a bed. While her mother goes out to buy cat food, Hina checks on the kitten and becomes convinced that it is lost. She remembers how she felt when she was lost once and desperately looks everywhere, inside and outside, for the kitten. As it turns out, the kitten has found its own favorite place to sleep, and all reluctance about adopting the feline on Hina's part has disappeared. Except for the giving of milk to the kitten, which is not advisable, this picture book perfectly depicted how readily animals can creep into our hearts even when we don't want them to or least expect them to or have no time or room for them. The fast bond that forms between Hina and Sleepy is absolutely accurate, and her desperate search for that little cat is one with which anyone who spends time with a cat can relate. How they manage to find the most out-of-the-way sleeping places is beyond me, but they do, and those of us who love them lose a couple of years of our lives worrying about where they might possibly be until we find them. This picture book evokes those very real feelings of helplessness aptly.
September 23, 2020
My three year old LOVED this book. She wanted to read it over and over and kept telling people about it. I think she is drawn to these books that deal in a somewhat oblique way with tough feelings, the book shows both Hana's distress about losing the kitten, her discomfort with the sick kitten, and her stressful memory of being lost herself - I think for some little kids that stuff is so compelling because it's like "yes! I feel weird about stuff too!"
When we got this from the library I read it about a zillion times a day for a week, and then my kid seemed to move on. But I thought it was a well done story with some good dramatic tension but nothing actually troubling that happens, and does a great job of creating the drama in a somewhat ordinary event that is such a key part of being a kid, and a human overall.
When we got this from the library I read it about a zillion times a day for a week, and then my kid seemed to move on. But I thought it was a well done story with some good dramatic tension but nothing actually troubling that happens, and does a great job of creating the drama in a somewhat ordinary event that is such a key part of being a kid, and a human overall.
February 19, 2017
A gentle story of a mother and daughter taking in a kitten and the girl beginning to bond by remembering a time she was lost and in need of help like the cat. Sakai's artwork, dreamlike in gestural pastels, is gorgeous.
May 7, 2017
Originally published in Japan, this picture book demonstrates compassion and empathy as a mother and daughter, Hina, take in a lost kitten. A stray mother cat brings her kitten to their doorstep, scrawny with goopy eyes. Hina would prefer a cute kitten from a pet store. They care for the little kitten, give it some milk and Hina holds it and listens to its purr. Her mother heads out for milk, leaving Hina to care for the kitten. But when Hina turns back, the kitten has disappeared. Hina thinks of the time that she too got lost, knowing what the little cat must be feeling. She knows she has to help.
Lee’s text is gentle and moving. The connection between child and kitten is delicately created, anchored by their similar experiences of being lost. Lee allows the story to play out, using a light touch as the story spins and giving the reader the space to make connections themselves.
The illustrations by Sakai are equally gentle and expressive. Done in pastel colors with strong textural lines that carry from one image to the next. The kitten is depicted with real care, its bones almost showing through its fur. Tiny and fragile, it still fills the pages with hope.
Beautiful and delicate, this picture book is filled with compassion and love. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Lee’s text is gentle and moving. The connection between child and kitten is delicately created, anchored by their similar experiences of being lost. Lee allows the story to play out, using a light touch as the story spins and giving the reader the space to make connections themselves.
The illustrations by Sakai are equally gentle and expressive. Done in pastel colors with strong textural lines that carry from one image to the next. The kitten is depicted with real care, its bones almost showing through its fur. Tiny and fragile, it still fills the pages with hope.
Beautiful and delicate, this picture book is filled with compassion and love. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
March 2, 2019
The Lost Kitten is a beautiful book that touches the heart from the very first page. Graceful illustrations show Hina, a little girl, and her mother opening the house door and seeing a sick, skinny kitten. Behind it, the mother, with two other kittens looks like desperately asking for help: “Please look after my baby”.
Gradually, the story will illustrate the transformative power of animals on suspicious minds. Hina is young and skeptical. “Its eyes are all gooey. What is it’s dying?” she asks her mother… “If we’re going to have a kitten I’d rather get a cute one from the pet shop” Hina said. Her mother didn’t reply.
A loving and gentle mother will show Hina that the delicate animal needs to be cleaned, fed and taken to the doctor. The more time Hina spends to observe and interact with the kitten, the more curious and affectionate she feels.
“It has beautiful eyes”, Hina said…
Read more on the blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...
Gradually, the story will illustrate the transformative power of animals on suspicious minds. Hina is young and skeptical. “Its eyes are all gooey. What is it’s dying?” she asks her mother… “If we’re going to have a kitten I’d rather get a cute one from the pet shop” Hina said. Her mother didn’t reply.
A loving and gentle mother will show Hina that the delicate animal needs to be cleaned, fed and taken to the doctor. The more time Hina spends to observe and interact with the kitten, the more curious and affectionate she feels.
“It has beautiful eyes”, Hina said…
Read more on the blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...
February 16, 2025
A tender story about a mother and young daughter who wind up taking in a tiny stray kitten.
Hina and her mother accept the responsibility and do their best to help that kitten to survive.
THE PLOT IS BEAUTIFULLY PACED
Hina learns all about caring for a living creature. Then one day the kitten goes missing.
I like how the writing gives little Hina a voice. For example:
While trying to find a name for the kitten . . . "Just thinking about the kitten made her happy."
MORE PLOT, ALWAYS GENTLY CONVEYED
After the kitten disappears, Hina looks for her and -- herself -- gets lost.
No spoiler, but the ending is happy.
FIVE STARS for a soulful, honest story that captures the innocence of a little girl beautifully.
Hina and her mother accept the responsibility and do their best to help that kitten to survive.
THE PLOT IS BEAUTIFULLY PACED
Hina learns all about caring for a living creature. Then one day the kitten goes missing.
I like how the writing gives little Hina a voice. For example:
While trying to find a name for the kitten . . . "Just thinking about the kitten made her happy."
MORE PLOT, ALWAYS GENTLY CONVEYED
After the kitten disappears, Hina looks for her and -- herself -- gets lost.
No spoiler, but the ending is happy.
FIVE STARS for a soulful, honest story that captures the innocence of a little girl beautifully.
May 10, 2017
This is a touching book about a mother cat who drops her sickly kitten off to be cared for at home with a grandmother, mother, and her young daughter. If you like gentle reads about animals who need to be cared for, and which also has a happy ending, you might like this one. This short book, with its simple prose and softly painted illustrations kept me emotionally involved, wondering what was going to happen to the kitten. If you like books by country veterinarian James Herriot, you might also like this one, because it is written in a similar style and tone.
February 19, 2017
Soft smudgy drawings match this tale of a little kitten left behind by his mother. Hina is not so sure she wants to keep the scrawny little bundle. But after the kitten is cleaned up and snuggled with she knows she wants to keep him. When the kitten goes missing Hina remembers a time when she was lost and looking for her mom. Frantic to find him she discovers him asleep in her closet. A charming about love and responsibilty.
September 8, 2017
Lovely book, originally published in Japan, about a mother and daughter taking in a baby kitten whose mother didn't want it or couldn't care for it. Actually generated a conversation with my girls about foster care and adoption!
October 6, 2023
The beautiful classical nostalgic illustrations hail to slower times. They reminded me a little of the legendary Shirley Hughes. The story is simple but not simplistic, capturing the emotion of its young protagonist Hina, as she tries to care for a tiny kitten.
Very appealing. 4.5 stars
Very appealing. 4.5 stars
June 18, 2017
Might be a little too sad/worrying for kiddos, but the art is beautiful.
August 30, 2017
Illustrations: A+!
Plot: B
Verdict: currently requesting all other books Komako Sakai has illustrated
Plot: B
Verdict: currently requesting all other books Komako Sakai has illustrated
November 1, 2017
Gorgeous illustrations, as well as a bittersweet story of a child's discovery of an abandoned runt kitten.
January 7, 2018
Real 70s style book about a little girl who has adopted a kitten. The story doesn't really go anywhere, but the kitten is cute.
February 17, 2023
A slightly meandering story, but quiet books from the child's point of view is the author's trademark. Terrific illustrations by the author as always - gorgeous and distinctive style.
March 6, 2025
Beautiful Illustrations. Although the writing was not great.
February 6, 2017
A tiny kitten arrives unexpectedly on the doorstep and Hina and her mother make it welcome in their home. It is not the most beautiful kitten but it has beautiful eyes once they are cleaned up and Hina is very happy with the new arrival. Whilst mother is out the kitten goes missing and Hina relates to how she thinks the kitten must feel, away from its mother, as she was once lost for a short time too.
“The cat left us her kitten. Now I have to be its mother. I have to give it a name. I have to find it”
The kitten is found sleeping on Hina’s sweater and Hina gives the kitten a name, Sleepy.
“Sleepy, let’s be friends forever, okay?
Hey stop sleeping so much. Are you listening, Sleepy?”
It is a simple story, illustrated beautifully by one of the most popular children’s illustrator in Japan. The muted, life like illustrations that skilfully capture the curiosity and thinking of a child. A lovely book to be shared.
Reviewed by Judy Sail (Bookrapt)
“The cat left us her kitten. Now I have to be its mother. I have to give it a name. I have to find it”
The kitten is found sleeping on Hina’s sweater and Hina gives the kitten a name, Sleepy.
“Sleepy, let’s be friends forever, okay?
Hey stop sleeping so much. Are you listening, Sleepy?”
It is a simple story, illustrated beautifully by one of the most popular children’s illustrator in Japan. The muted, life like illustrations that skilfully capture the curiosity and thinking of a child. A lovely book to be shared.
Reviewed by Judy Sail (Bookrapt)
January 23, 2017
Lovely pictures, lovely story. Nice feel-good book to share with children.
June 4, 2018
Bring the tissues for this one. This is a beautiful story about taking in a stray kitten. Would make a great read aloud for elementary children.
April 23, 2017
This was a cute little book about a lost kitten. I think that I look like the little girl who found it and I hope that if I ever find a kitty that it is as nice as the one in the book. I loved the artwork and wonder how they paint these.
May 4, 2017
L'adoption du chaton est un peu trop idéalisée pour qu'on y croit vraiment, mais l'histoire reste mignonne.
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June 22, 2017wonderful touching story about having a kitten
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews