Book Review of Little Black Cat Finds a Home
The Children’s Book Review
Little Black Cat Finds a Home
Written and illustrated by AJ Kemner
Ages 4+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: FriesenPress (2024) | ISBN: 978-1038321831
What to Expect: Halloween, friendship, perseverance, belonging, gentle spooky fun.
A little black cat races against the Halloween moon to find a witch who needs him, in a cozy-spooky adventure about friendship, hope, and belonging.
In the pumpkin patch, a little black cat faces a deadline: he must find a witch who needs a black cat before the moon reaches the top of the sky on Halloween night. Succeed, and he’ll have a home and become a Halloween Cat, the most powerful kind of black cat there is. Fail, and he’ll have neither. With a small mouse at his side, he sets off through the night, peeking into spooky houses and finding surprises he didn’t expect, but no witch in need of a cat. Just as hope begins to fade, a wise owl offers a mysterious idea that leads the pair toward the village of Witches Cove. Will the little black cat find his witch before midnight?
Written with a classic, kid-friendly structure (a clear goal, a time to contend with, and a loyal companion), the cat’s midnight deadline gives the story steady momentum—each new stop raises the question of whether this might finally be the right place. The friendship between the cat and the mouse provides warmth to the hint-of-spookiness quest, turning a solo search into a shared adventure. It’s the turn of hope, when all things seem lost, that gives young readers an emotional payoff that feels earned. Author AJ Kemner’s story ends with a satisfying resolution that rewards the cat’s persistence.
Kemner’s original artwork is moody, with shadowy tones set against glowing orange backdrops that capture the look and feel of an autumn night. The palette delivers just the right amount of atmosphere for the Halloween season, but never so dark that it overwhelms younger readers or storytime listeners. The art makes the book feel like a natural fit for reading by lamplight as the leaves turn golden and fall to the ground.
Little Black Cat Finds a Home is a seasonal treat with heart. It’s an excellent pick for young readers who love Halloween but prefer their spooks on the gentle side. Cat lovers and anyone who has ever been looking for their place in the world will be cheering for this little black cat.
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About the Author
Amy Johnson Kemner, author and illustrator of Little Black Cat, is passionate about art and storytelling. In this fun, spooky tale of friendship and perseverance, Amy Johnson- Kemner blended an entertaining story with her unique artwork.
Little Black Cat is Amy Johnson Kemner’s debut book and was inspired by the picturesque mountains, open farmlands, and the local pumpkin patch near her home in Broomfield, CO, where she lives with her husband and her cat, Lily.
