An overeager boy and his skittish cat find new ways to connect in this humorous picture book about boundaries and personal space.
Arthur adores his cat. Hes wild about Zeffo. But Zeffo? Not so much. Arthur would love to brush Zeffos fur, turn him into Super Cat, and jump into the clouds. But Zeffo would love some space.
One day Arthur gives Zeffo a big hug--and owwww! Arthur cries, Zeffo runs away, and the days and nights pass. Maybe Arthur needs a new and different way to connect with his cat.
With hilariously outlandish--yet deeply relatable--scenes of a boy and his cat, author-illustrator Johan Leynaud shares a warm, lighthearted SEL story of friendship, boundaries, and personal growth. Like Arthur, young readers will discover how love can mean giving freedom instead of taking control.
Translated from French by Sarah Ardizzone.
Johan Leynaud is a French artist, illustrator, and author who studied at the Beaux-Arts de Marseille and spends most of his time drawing. He hopes Arthurs Cat, his English-language debut, will help children respect animals as living beings who sometimes need their space. One day Johan watched his niece play with her cat--and Arthurs Cat began to grow in his mind. Follow Johan on Instagram @johanleynaud.
Sarah Ardizzone has translated over fifty books from the French, including Thread by Thread, Sweet Dreamers, and Letters from Bear (all Eerdmans). Her translations have been named to best-of-the-year lists by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and the Bank Street College of Education. Sarah lives in Brixton, England, with her family and a fluffy black cat named Hector. Follow her on Instagram @sarahtranslatorardizzone.
"A profoundly thoughtful look at the push and pull needed to forge a truly deep bond." --Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)
"Leynauds illustrations invite readers to immerse themselves in the subtext--from enormous furniture to precariously stacked chairs and touches of cleverly placed color, readers behold a toddlers vast world and sense Arthurs love-seeking desperation. A well-translated read for pet owners, parents, and children alike that echoes a common experience while conveying a meaningful lesson about balance, coexistence, and mutually healthy relationships." --Booklist
"The blend of pencil, ink, pen, and digital art is exceptional...notably the bright turquoise Zeffo, who will likely be just as irresistible to the reader as it is to Arthur....Leynauds steady and straight-forward presentation of the relationships that can form when there is room for saying no to hugs, pinches, or pats on the head is important for everyone--indeed, the lesson about bodily autonomy may be needed more by adults than young listeners." --The Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books
