Book Review of Cuddle Kitty! A Tail of Friendship
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The Children’s Book Review
Cuddle Kitty! A Tail of Friendship
Written by Steven Rogers
Illustrated by Alison Mutton
Ages: 4-6 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Self-published (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-7636861-0-6
What to Expect: Friendship, pets, animal behavior.
Unlike a pet dog, pet cats can be challenging for young children. They are inclined to run away, hide, or even bite and scratch if not handled carefully. In this lovely picture book, a skittish but lovable cat protagonist talks to readers directly, helping them understand what cats like and what they don’t.
Cleo doesn’t mind humans … so long as they know how to treat her! Cleo is a cat, and cats are very particular about how they play with humans. They don’t like loud noises, sudden movements, or rough handling. Emma really wants to cuddle Cleo, but she’s not very good at being quiet, or slow, or gentle. She is determined, though—so Cleo decides she’ll just have to teach her the proper way to play with a cat! Luckily, she’s a very patient cat, and soon Emma has learned that if she speaks softly and pets her gently, Cleo is all about the cuddles!
With artwork that switches between the cat and human perspectives, readers will be able to empathize with a nervous cat to better understand why cats react the way they do. They will love seeing how a loving bond can develop between cats and humans and will hopefully learn some tips for getting along with their own pet cats!
This delightful picture book is perfect for families with young children who are either considering adopting a cat or already have feline companions at home. Cat lovers of all ages will appreciate the authentic portrayal of feline behavior, while parents and educators will value how it teaches empathy and gentle handling through an engaging story.
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About the Author
Steven Rogers is an emerging children’s book author from Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Steven developed a love of rhyming picture books while reading to his young daughter. Steven was inspired to write his debut picture book (Cuddle Kitty: A Tail of Friendship) as a way to help his daughter play more gently with the family cats.
For more information, visit stevenrogers.com.au.
About the Illustrator
Alison Mutton is an illustrator from Perth, Western Australia who has been illustrating books for kids big and small since 2008 and has contributed to over 140 books in educational, traditional and indie publishing. She works from a tiny studio in her back yard, supervised by her dog Myrna, and when she’s not illustrating she enjoys playing the piano, watching old movies, needle felting and dancing the Lindy Hop.
For more information, visit alene-art.com.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Cuddle Kitty! A Tail of Friendship. Learn more about getting a book review …
