
A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling lonely after a friend moves, or is grappling with the temporary loss of a pet. The story follows a young girl named Annie, whose cat disappears as winter sets in. To cope with her loneliness, she tries to befriend the wild animals in the nearby woods by leaving out corn cakes, with gentle and humorous results. As the seasons change from winter to spring, the story unfolds with a comforting and joyful resolution. Ideal for children ages 4 to 7, this book is a wonderful tool for validating feelings of sadness and demonstrating that difficult feelings, like winter, eventually pass and can give way to joyful new beginnings.
The book deals with the temporary loss of a pet. The approach is metaphorical, using the cat's disappearance rather than death. The resolution is entirely secular and very hopeful. The sadness Annie feels is addressed gently and is the central conflict, but the reader is given information (through the illustrations) that the cat is safe, which mitigates the potential anxiety.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThis book is perfect for a 4 to 6 year old experiencing a temporary separation or loss, such as a friend moving away, a deployed parent, or a missing (but not deceased) pet. It addresses the ache of loneliness and the desire for connection, making it ideal for a child who feels a bit lost and is trying to figure out how to fill a void in their life.
Parents must preview the book to understand the dual narrative told in the border illustrations. It is crucial to point out the borders to a sensitive child, showing them that Taffy is safe and okay even when Annie doesn't know it. Without this guidance, the story could cause anxiety about pet loss. With it, it becomes a comforting lesson in patience and trust. A parent hears their child say, "I miss my friend so much," or, "When is Fluffy coming home?" The child might seem withdrawn or express a feeling that no one wants to play with them. This book helps when a child's sadness feels big and a parent wants to offer a story showing that sad feelings do pass.
A younger child (4-5) will enjoy the animal interactions and the happy surprise of kittens. They will connect to the basic feeling of missing the cat. An older child (6-7) will be able to follow the parallel story in the borders, appreciate the humor of the unsuitable friends, and grasp the connection between the changing seasons and Annie's emotional state.
The primary differentiator is Jan Brett's signature use of intricate border illustrations to tell a parallel story. This technique provides comfort and dramatic irony, allowing the reader to know the missing cat is safe, which transforms a potentially scary story about loss into a gentle, reassuring tale about patience and the cycles of life.
At the beginning of winter, a young girl named Annie is heartbroken when her cat, Taffy, disappears. Feeling lonely, she spends the winter leaving corn cakes on her windowsill, hoping to attract a new pet. Her offerings attract a succession of woodland creatures, a moose, a bear, a wildcat, but none are suitable companions. All the while, the book's signature border illustrations reveal Taffy's parallel story: she is safe and has found a mate. With the arrival of spring, Taffy returns to Annie's home, not alone, but with her new family of kittens.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.