The Homesick Kitten

Animal Stories #51

by Holly Webb, Sophy Williams (Illustrator)

Harper loves spending time with her gorgeous new kitten, Sammy. He likes sitting in the window, exploring their flat and playing in the garden. But then Harper and her family have to move in with her gran after she has a bad fall, and everything changes.

Sammy doesn’t feel at home at Gran’s house. He misses the smells and sounds of the flat, his real home. So when he spots an opportunity to go back, he takes it. But Sammy soon discovers home is more than just a building, it’s where your family are…

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

126 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 2022

About the author

Holly Webb is one of Britain's best-loved children's writers. She has written over a hundred books for children, and her work has been translated into over thirty languages. Holly lives in Tilehurst, just outside of Reading, Berkshire, with her husband, three children and several cats.

Reviews

[Dorian Jandreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vieniša mama su dviem dukrelėmis augina mažą kačiuką Semą. Netikėtai jų močiutė susižaloja ir dėl to jos persikrausto pas ją. Deja, kačiukui šis vietos pakeitimas ne į naudą. Išsigandęs ir besiilgintis namų jis pabėga... Bando rasti kelią į senuosius namus, bet deja išgąsdintas pasiklysta... Tačiau laimei viskas gerai baigiasi.

Esu didelis Holly Webb gerbėjas. Tas nenuostabu, jog man labai patiko ir šita knygutė. Tai turbūt vienintelės vaikiškos knygutės, kurios mano skonio. Autorė savo knygose dažnai aprašo netradicines šeimas: išsiskyrusius, vienišas mamas ir tėčius. Esu perskaitęs visas jos knygas apie kačiukus. (Apie šuniukus neperku, nes ne todėl, kad nepatiktų šunys (man jie patinka), bet tiesiog katės mano sielos gyvūnai. Tad lauksiu naujų knygučių.

[Crystal Reaume · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read out loud to the kids

[Diana N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home is where the heart is, the cuddly kitten version. Moving in with Gran sure shook things up a bit and was a different home, but Sammy realized the building wasn't what mattered.

This book is written very well to the point where you know what Sammy is thinking. It's weird almost having the emotional connection with a cat of all characters. Sammy could almost be a human.

This heartwarming book is simple in plot, but at the perfect level for elementary school kids, at least was a good level in content and word selection for my daughters. Cute and cuddly is always a big draw with the kiddos.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever read a book more in tune with what a kitten is thinking or feeling, this is it! So eloquently and lovingly pulls you into the lives of Harper, her family, and of course Sammy her kitten. There happens to be a big change in their lives that takes adjustment on all sides. But it affects Sammy the most. And therefore he makes a choice that upsets everyone and nearly ends on a sad note. Highly recommend this book be available at public libraries.
This is a wonderful, heartfelt tale that will really get the waterworks going. Great for a lovely discussion between parent and child about life in general and how change can touch many lives.
I received an advanced reader copy for free from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper's grandmother is not able to live on her own anymore, so Harper's family move in with her to take care of her. But Harper is worried that their new kitten Sammy will not adjust well to the move. Sammy is confused by the new house. His food bowl is in a different place, he can't get out the cat door, and his litter box is nowhere to be found! Sammy is sure that if he could just get outside then he would be able to find their old home again. Will Harper be able to find a way to make Sammy accept their new home?

This book is so adorable! It reminded me of getting my cat, Jellybean, when she was a little kitten and she would sleep at the end of my bed. I love the way the writing describes feline behavior, so that the reader can really envision everything that is happening in the story.

I really loved the way Harper's family bond together to care for the grandmother. It's not an easy transition and there are some frayed nerves and disagreements, but ultimately the family support each other through those difficulties and they learn to adjust to their new living situation. Such a lovely character arc for a sweet family!

I enjoyed the simple writing style which is perfect for young readers. Every three or four pages there is a pencil illustration with soft lines. I liked the art work and how it enhanced the story!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper adores her sweet new kitten, Sammy. He is so much fun and loves looking out their window, discovering new things in their apartment and of course going outside and playing in the garden. She cannot spend enough time with him.

Unfortunately Harper's grandma takes a nasty tumble and because of her injury Harper and her family decide to move in with their beloved grandma to help her navigate life and heal. It is a major change for the whole family but especially for Sammy.

Sammy misses his old home and one day escapes and head back to his real home. Oh my!

Things are not so wonderful on his journey back and Sammy discovers that home is where your heart is... and in Sammy's case? It's with his family wherever they may be.

The illustrations are soft and in black and white. This heartwarming book is part of the best-selling Pet Rescue Adventures series by Holly Webb. I highly recommend this book.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: Poor Sammy. He is so happy in his apartment with mom and the two girls, Harper and Ava. Life is purrfect. But when Grandma falls and breaks her wrist, his life is going to be turned upside down. His family is going to leave the apartment and move into Grandma’s big house. Sammy is very unhappy. Nothing is the same and he wants to go back to where things were before.

So, when he gets his chance one day he escapes through an open window. He meets many challenges, not the least of which is traffic, but he finds his way back. The only problem is when he gets there he realizes that it is no longer home and to find home, he needs to find Harper.

By this time everyone is out looking for the errant kitten. It all ends up happily when they are reunited and Sammy understands that where you are loved is where you are at home. Delightful and touching story. I enjoy this author as she truly understands us kitties. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute book! It’s the first I’ve read in the series but each book can be read as a standalone. A family moves but the kitten is confused and misses his old home. The kitten decides to go back to his old home but it doesn’t work out.

I loved this book! It is a perfect early chapter book for younger elementary students, especially if they love animals. There are a few pictures that add a lot to the story.

[Katie Cat Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy reader. Kitten. Lost.

Story: Every day when Harper comes home from school, her cat Sammy is waiting for her. But when Harper and her family move, Sammy is homesick for his old home.

Language: Large font, b&w illustrations, UK, near present.

Chatacters: Harper, her little sister Ava, her mom and gran, and of course, Sammy.

Another goodie in the Webb series.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating by my 7-year-old daughter who absolutely loved this book. She thought it was very exciting and a little scary. She really liked the Grandma character and the fact that there were animals. She also liked the realistic illustrations. She begged me every night to stay up late and read more (rare!)

[Brittany Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sweet book! I look forward to reading more from the series! I’m glad it ended nicely!

[Caitlyn Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter enjoyed this book.

[Rachel VanRiper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read out loud before bedtime this week ♥️

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet book with a very sweet kitten.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anither read to Sarah book. Very impressed with the themes in this one

[Aistė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Įdomi knyga ir šis katinėlis šioje istorijoje labai mielas.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This early chapter book tells the story of Harper and her kitten Sammy. When Harper's family move to take care of her elderly grandma, Sammy has to adjust to a new home. Sammy misses the apartment he used to live in with Harper and their family and one day he escapes! Luckily Sammy realizes that home is where his family is and everyone is reunited and safe. This book is a short chapter book, it is about 125 pages and is divided into 8 chapters. Each chapters has light black and white illustrations, large, well spaced fonts and usually less than 100 words per page. Word choice is good, not too many unnecessarily challenging words and the illustrations also help with comprehension. This is a great book for readers ready for short chapter books but who can still benefit from pictures to support understanding, especially in longer books. It is part of a Pet Rescue Adventure series, and one that I could see readers in the grades 1-4 range enjoying and working their way through. I would definitely recommend this book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Homesick Kitten by Holly Webb is a sweet little story about adjustment. In this case it’s adjusting to a new living environment for both the humans and their new kitten, Sammy.

Sammy is a rescue kitten who finds his forever home with Harper, Ava, and mom. When grandma is hospitalized from a fall it’s decided that the girls, mom and Sammy are going to move out of their apartment and go live with grandma to care for her.

The move is, of course, difficult for everyone and adjustments must be made. The story takes a big turn when Sammy piddles on the floor and the window is left open to air the room. The kitten jumps out and tries to find his way back to the apartment that he’s familiar with.

The story is about the kitten’s trip to his former home and the girl’s frantic attempt to find him. I don’t want to give away the ending, but it’s happy.

Thanks to #TheHomesickKitten #NetGalley #PetRescue for allowing me to read this book.