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Hero Cat
Five tiny kittens cry for their mama, as smoke begins to fill the abandoned warehouse that has been their home. But Mother Cat has left her cozy heap of kittens to go in search of food. Determined to save her babies, Mother Cat dashes into the burning building and follows the sounds of frightened mewing. In five daring acts, she saves each kitten—a true hero cat! This story, accompanied by beautiful illustrations rendered in pastel, honors the tenth anniversary of the real story of a homeless cat who rescued her kittens from a burning building in 1996.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2006
65 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Spinelli
138 books100 followersEileen Spinelli is an award-winning children's book author from southeastern Pennsylvania. She has written over 100 picture books and novels for children. Her husband is Jerry Spinelli, who also writes books for children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
December 20, 2019
The illustrations, the story; this one had it all. I was almost tearing up. It is a beautiful book in every way and tells the true story of a brave mother cat who refused to abandon her kittens no matter what. It’s worth a read no matter what age you are. It’s a good one for animal lovers, mothers, and for those who have ever been down on their luck.
The illustrations really put color, warmth, feeling, energy, and made the story come alive for me. They are absolutely excellent. I’m an animal lover and my heart goes out to any animal like this and I was ,indeed, affected by it. Cute though it was, cute had nothing to do with my love for it.
It’s all about survival.
The illustrations really put color, warmth, feeling, energy, and made the story come alive for me. They are absolutely excellent. I’m an animal lover and my heart goes out to any animal like this and I was ,indeed, affected by it. Cute though it was, cute had nothing to do with my love for it.
It’s all about survival.
March 29, 2010
Charming pastel illustrations - I especially love the cover, which is worth 5 stars by itself. The text is very simple, aimed at the 4-6 yo crowd, and based on the real-life story of Scarlett, a cat who rescued her five kittens from the burning garage where they lived in Brooklyn in 1996. "Firefighters spotted Scarlett, despite burns to her eyes, ears and face, toting each kitten out of the building to safety. Once outside, Scarlett nudged each baby with her nose to make sure she found all five." (New York Daily News) Four kittens survived, all were adopted by families, and Scarlett received Mother's Day cards from around the world. She passed away in 2008 after battling lymphoma, kidney failure, and a heart murmur (not covered in the book).
July 6, 2012
Scarlett the cat has been the subject of several books--and for good reason. In 1996, this brave former stray rushed into a burning building to rescue her kittens--despite suffering severe burns in the process.
Scarlett reminded us all that the idea of motherly love and bravery is not confined to the human species. What a fine idea to impart in a book designed for youngsters.
This lushly illustrated book gives Scarlett a bit of a back story, and is simply worded to encourage young readers. It would also be a fine read-aloud for a unit on the theme of bravery or compassion. Hero Cat is a great humane education choice.
Scarlett reminded us all that the idea of motherly love and bravery is not confined to the human species. What a fine idea to impart in a book designed for youngsters.
This lushly illustrated book gives Scarlett a bit of a back story, and is simply worded to encourage young readers. It would also be a fine read-aloud for a unit on the theme of bravery or compassion. Hero Cat is a great humane education choice.
April 12, 2017
A heartwarming story about a mother cat's love. I took away one star because some of the charming pastel art illustrations were not as good as others.
February 24, 2018
Love reading these books to my grandson.
My grandson loves it. I love reading to him. Every time we find something new that he likes. Thank you.
My grandson loves it. I love reading to him. Every time we find something new that he likes. Thank you.
December 24, 2019
The fact that this was a true story made it it all the more special.
October 12, 2022
I think I need to make a shelf titled "books you thought would be cute but actually rip your heart to shreds"
March 18, 2017
Mother Cat is homeless and about to have kittens. She tries several places to have her kittens but is driven away each time. Finally she finds an abandoned building and has her beautiful kittens. She has to leave them briefly to find food so that she will be able to make milk for them. While she is gone the building catches fire. Braving the flames she goes into the building repeatedly to save her kittens.
This story is based on a real event. All the kittens were saved, at the cost of the brave mother getting burned but surviving. She and her kittens were found by a fireman who took her and her kittens to a shelter where she and her kittens were adopted after they recovered from their ordeal.
This story is based on a real event. All the kittens were saved, at the cost of the brave mother getting burned but surviving. She and her kittens were found by a fireman who took her and her kittens to a shelter where she and her kittens were adopted after they recovered from their ordeal.
November 9, 2017
Hero Book!!
Are you owned by a cat? If so, you need no explanation. If you are not a cat’s OTP (opposable-thumbs person) you have yet to live a full life, so GET CRACKING. I was midwife to a rescued cat’s litter of six kittens...born in our living room...I felt special even though Mama Kitty did all the work. This book brings her, those kittens, and that special night back to me — No flames needed. Oh yes, I love this book. Anyone with a heart will love this book. Have no fear: Share it with children of all ages.
Are you owned by a cat? If so, you need no explanation. If you are not a cat’s OTP (opposable-thumbs person) you have yet to live a full life, so GET CRACKING. I was midwife to a rescued cat’s litter of six kittens...born in our living room...I felt special even though Mama Kitty did all the work. This book brings her, those kittens, and that special night back to me — No flames needed. Oh yes, I love this book. Anyone with a heart will love this book. Have no fear: Share it with children of all ages.
February 13, 2018
Beautiful Story
This was an absolutely beautiful story!! My daughters thoroughly enjoyed it!
I even read the true story part with Hero Cats real name, they thought it was awesome!
This was an absolutely beautiful story!! My daughters thoroughly enjoyed it!
I even read the true story part with Hero Cats real name, they thought it was awesome!
February 19, 2012
Based on a true story, the feline heroine lived until 2008....
August 10, 2018
I was immediately drawn into Hero Cat emotionally by the sweet illustrations. Very simple and to the point text had me holding my breath as to what would happen next to Mother Cat and her kittens. Somewhere in the book, I forgot I was not there, actually with Mother Cat. After finishing Hero Cat, I was releaved to see her photograph on the final page.
Eileen Spinelli does a fine job of portraying just how far a parent will go for a child, family bonding, and animal welfare. Parents, caregivers, or teachers, there are many conversations to be had after reading Hero Cat beyond the family unit, animal compassion and adoption, but also fire prevention and safety.
I think Hero Book should be a must for the 4-7 year old crowd!
Eileen Spinelli does a fine job of portraying just how far a parent will go for a child, family bonding, and animal welfare. Parents, caregivers, or teachers, there are many conversations to be had after reading Hero Cat beyond the family unit, animal compassion and adoption, but also fire prevention and safety.
I think Hero Book should be a must for the 4-7 year old crowd!
May 9, 2018
A TRUE HERO!
The story of Scarlet the car who went into a burning building time and again to rescue her kittens is amazing. It's nice that it has been put in a book for young children. She is a testament to what a mother is willing to sacrifice for her children.
The story of Scarlet the car who went into a burning building time and again to rescue her kittens is amazing. It's nice that it has been put in a book for young children. She is a testament to what a mother is willing to sacrifice for her children.
May 15, 2018
Great book based on a true event
July 28, 2018
My daughter loved this book so much we read it twice in a row!
September 26, 2018
Based off a true story, this MO Show-Me award winner, tells the story of a mama cat who rescues each of her kittens, one by one, at great personal sacrifice from a burning building.
January 31, 2020
you got tens secord
March 12, 2020
something about this cat just calls 2 ya? gorgeous illustrations. well done. good quick read.
February 9, 2021
My children loved it, but it started off sad and only became worse for a time. The ending is worth it, and they were happy to find it is based off of a true story!
April 13, 2021
Loved this one! Maybe use with a theme of heroes or fire prevention month in October
August 11, 2021
A touching picture book inspired by a true story. My child thought it was sweet, but it didn't particularly hold her attention.
February 3, 2023
She truly is a hero!
January 12, 2024
I Love My Cat
November 18, 2025
Hero Cat by Eileen Spinelli - This is on kindle unlimited. A very brave mama cat has a happy ending for herself and her babies after her heroic rescue! Very sweet! Happy Reading!
September 2, 2015
O.K., so here's the thing. I like cute books and funny books and all that, and even fact books are good sometimes if they're not too hard. And books with just pictures and no words too. But you know what the best books are? Books that are stories and the stories are TRUE.
And that's what this one is. It's about this cat that no one likes, not even the other cats, but then she goes and has her kittens and she's a really good mom, but guess what? When she goes out for dinner, there's a FIRE and so she has to go back into her house and get her kittens. That makes her a hero, but I don't know. What else was she SUPPOSED to do? Let them burn up?
Anyway, the story is good enough, but then at the end they show a picture of the REAL CAT, and her hair is all burned up and she's lying there with her babies, and you can just tell she's the best mom ever!! So this is one of the best BOOKS ever. Wow!!
And that's what this one is. It's about this cat that no one likes, not even the other cats, but then she goes and has her kittens and she's a really good mom, but guess what? When she goes out for dinner, there's a FIRE and so she has to go back into her house and get her kittens. That makes her a hero, but I don't know. What else was she SUPPOSED to do? Let them burn up?
Anyway, the story is good enough, but then at the end they show a picture of the REAL CAT, and her hair is all burned up and she's lying there with her babies, and you can just tell she's the best mom ever!! So this is one of the best BOOKS ever. Wow!!
January 30, 2021
Sweet story about a mama cat who loves her kittens so much that she'll risk her life for them. Mother Cat finds a place in an abandoned building to give birth to her babies: Black-and-White, Gray, Siamese, White Paws, and Smokey. She sets out to find food for the kittens and returns to find the building on fire.
The illustrations are what really makes the book. Jo Ellen McAllister Stammen's pastel illustrations - especially of the cats - are realistic and expressive. The cats look furry and like they could jump off the page. Stammen also reflects the light of the flames in the burning building and the soot on the cats' fur.
The best part of the book is that it's based on a true story. Read the author's note to learn about Scarlett the cat's real life story and see a photograph of her and her kittens! All in all wonderful story whose illustrations make this book too cute to pass up.
The illustrations are what really makes the book. Jo Ellen McAllister Stammen's pastel illustrations - especially of the cats - are realistic and expressive. The cats look furry and like they could jump off the page. Stammen also reflects the light of the flames in the burning building and the soot on the cats' fur.
The best part of the book is that it's based on a true story. Read the author's note to learn about Scarlett the cat's real life story and see a photograph of her and her kittens! All in all wonderful story whose illustrations make this book too cute to pass up.
September 27, 2008
My daughter is reading every Show Me candidate this year for a school library project. The Show Me Award is an award from the Missouri Librarians Association to recognize the best children's story book of the year. Missouri librarians choose ten candidates and Missouri school children read each book and vote for the best. Many, many wonderful children's books have won in past years. If Sloane reads all ten nominees, she'll get a hardback copy of the winner for this year. YIKES!! I hope this one doesn't win. It is a sweet enough story, but I found it a little boring. My daughter loved it, though. I guess that's what matters. I guess I had just come to expect a little more from Spinelli.
August 1, 2014
Breathtakingly gorgeous realistic artwork by Jo Ellen McAllister Stammen -- the details on the cat and her kittens are amazing, the colors are simultaneously subtle and arresting (probably oil pastels), the textures almost make you want to reach out and stroke the page. The storytelling is solid and effective with sparse, simple, thoughtful text by Eileen Spinelli. Based on a true story, a tearjerker with a happy ending -- fire-endangered kittens and a mother cat who rescues them -- c'mon! What's not to love about this book? Also, a faceless female firefighter is the only human to grace the pages -- yay for some gender diversity in depiction of traditionally male-dominated careers and professions!
May 19, 2015
Adorable book, but furthermore, true!! Scarlett showed more love and bravery than many humans do. My mom calls my cat, Bella, that "Danged old cat!"...however, the love I see from Bella I have no doubt she'd be a mother like this. All one has to do is Google the words "hero cat" or "hero dog" and you get a plethora of stories such as the one Spinelli writes. Our pets are truly amazing creatures and it brightened my day to learn about Scarlett. The world was better for having her in it! The way Spinelli told the story for a young child (bought the kindle edition so I can read it to my niece when I get to see her) as well as the beautiful pastel graphics, make this an enchanting book!
October 10, 2013
Hero Cat weaves an endearing tail with classically beautiful illustrations.
Mother Cat is in need of shelter, she knows she will give birth to a litter very soon. She finds rest and comfort with her new kittens but must leave to find food in the cold. Upon her return, the kittens are helpless in a burning building, turning this new Mother Cat into an extraordinary Hero Cat!
This book is based on a true story, making the tail even more precious.
Hero Cat is written by Eileen Spinelli with illustrations by Jo Ellen McAllister Stammen
Hero Cat earns a rating of... 5 Kittens Mewing!
Mother Cat is in need of shelter, she knows she will give birth to a litter very soon. She finds rest and comfort with her new kittens but must leave to find food in the cold. Upon her return, the kittens are helpless in a burning building, turning this new Mother Cat into an extraordinary Hero Cat!
This book is based on a true story, making the tail even more precious.
Hero Cat is written by Eileen Spinelli with illustrations by Jo Ellen McAllister Stammen
Hero Cat earns a rating of... 5 Kittens Mewing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews