The House Cat

Reach for this book when your child is facing a major transition, such as moving to a new house or starting at a new school, and is struggling to let go of the past. It is especially helpful for children who feel like they do not quite fit into their new surroundings or are mourning the loss of a familiar place. The story follows Tom, a cat who belongs to a house shared by two different families. When one family moves away and takes him along, Tom finds himself in a beautiful but alien environment. His journey is a poignant exploration of belonging, the difference between people and places, and the resilience required to find one's way back to where the heart feels most at ease. While the adventure has moments of tension, it is ultimately a deeply comforting read for children ages 4 to 8 who need to know that their feelings of displacement are valid and that home is something that can be reclaimed or rediscovered.