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Cleo and Rob
A kitten called Cleo steps into six-year-old Rob's life after his big brother, Sam, dies. Based on true events in author Helen Brown's family, this heartwarming story first appeared as a world-wide bestselling book for adults, Cleo.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
Paperback
Published March 5, 2020
14 people want to read
About the author
Helen Brown
19 books200 followersHelen Brown was born and brought up in New Zealand, where she became an award winning columnist, TV presenter, and scriptwriter. She now lives in Melbourne, Australia, with husband Philip and their high maintenance cat, Jonah.
She loves writing about cats and the impact they have on people's lives. Her memoir CLEO (2009) became a New York Times bestseller, translated into more than 17 languages. A major movie is in development.
The sequel, AFTER CLEO CAME JONAH (2012) (otherwise known as JONAH or CATS AND DAUGHTERS), was published in many languages and embraced by readers and critics alike.
Other titles include TUMBLEDOWN MANOR (2014), BONO (2018) and the children's story CLEO AND ROB (2019).
Her next book, MICKEY, will be released in North America and Australasia in February 2022.
When she isn’t writing, Helen enjoys knitting badly, laughing with grandchildren and swimming near the family beach shack on Phillip Island.
Find Helen on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Helen.Brown....
She loves writing about cats and the impact they have on people's lives. Her memoir CLEO (2009) became a New York Times bestseller, translated into more than 17 languages. A major movie is in development.
The sequel, AFTER CLEO CAME JONAH (2012) (otherwise known as JONAH or CATS AND DAUGHTERS), was published in many languages and embraced by readers and critics alike.
Other titles include TUMBLEDOWN MANOR (2014), BONO (2018) and the children's story CLEO AND ROB (2019).
Her next book, MICKEY, will be released in North America and Australasia in February 2022.
When she isn’t writing, Helen enjoys knitting badly, laughing with grandchildren and swimming near the family beach shack on Phillip Island.
Find Helen on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Helen.Brown....
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 23, 2026
Omg I need to read the description of books before I purchase and read them to my kid. All I knew was that this was on the Premier's Reading Challenge, so why not give it a go? I WAS A MESS. Actual sobbing. It did lead to a good discussion about death with kiddo, though he rightfully told me I should check next time lol
June 14, 2022
shocking twist near the beginning
October 28, 2022
My four year old borrowed this one from the library. Few pages in, completely unexpected, I didn't know if I could finish reading this one. This story is heartbreaking. I was not ready or prepared to read this one, not to mention the follow up conversations.
In short - this emotional rollercoaster should be read before you, struggle-to-continue -sobby-snotty-mum-cry, to your child.
Prepare yourself.
In short - this emotional rollercoaster should be read before you, struggle-to-continue -sobby-snotty-mum-cry, to your child.
Prepare yourself.
February 5, 2020
Based on the author's life (told in her adult memoirs), this picture book tells how a kitten helps Rob back to life after the death of his older brother, in a car accident.
It is simply told, but sympathetically and realistically.
At the end, Rob is a father, and shares stories of his brother and their cat, with his children.
It is simply told, but sympathetically and realistically.
At the end, Rob is a father, and shares stories of his brother and their cat, with his children.
May 1, 2021
This review was published on Lost in a Good Book
I first came across this picture book not knowing about the adult book Cleo but it didn’t matter because Brown captures an emotional journey through beautiful words and Morris’ illustrations are the perfect balance that reflect the picture book format while never making light of the content.
This is a heartfelt story that is super sweet but quite sad as well. The exploration of brotherly relationships, family dynamics as well as the emotion impacts of loss and suffering make it a powerful read but one that speaks to both children and adults.
The way that Cleo and Rob come together after tragedy is so incredibly sweet and as the story goes on it shows how those moments from childhood have a long lasting effect on Rob's life. Anything based on a true story is going to get me invested and emotional, especially if an animal is involved and this story was no exception. A truly beautiful read.
I first came across this picture book not knowing about the adult book Cleo but it didn’t matter because Brown captures an emotional journey through beautiful words and Morris’ illustrations are the perfect balance that reflect the picture book format while never making light of the content.
This is a heartfelt story that is super sweet but quite sad as well. The exploration of brotherly relationships, family dynamics as well as the emotion impacts of loss and suffering make it a powerful read but one that speaks to both children and adults.
The way that Cleo and Rob come together after tragedy is so incredibly sweet and as the story goes on it shows how those moments from childhood have a long lasting effect on Rob's life. Anything based on a true story is going to get me invested and emotional, especially if an animal is involved and this story was no exception. A truly beautiful read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews