Katie, Kit, & Cousin Tom

Reach for this book when your child is vibrating with excitement about a visiting relative or friend, only to feel let down when the guest does not want to play the same way they do. It is a perfect tool for navigating the common childhood frustration of mismatched expectations and the delicate art of hosting. The story follows young kittens Katie and Kit as they eagerly prepare for their Cousin Tom's arrival, only to discover he has very different ideas about what makes a visit fun. Tomie dePaola masterfully captures the nuances of social disappointment and the eventual path toward compromise. Through gentle humor and relatable feline characters, children learn that even if a playdate does not start the way they imagined, there is always a way to find common ground. This is an excellent choice for preschoolers and early elementary students who are beginning to navigate more complex social dynamics and need a model for patience and flexibility.