Pigeon & Cat
by Edward Hemingway; illus. by the author
Primary    Ottaviano/Little, Brown    40 pp.    g
6/22    978-0-316-31125-0    $17.99

A loner cat and an adventurous, outgoing bird are paired in this heartwarming story of friendship and community. Previously, Cat lived a small and solitary life in an abandoned lot, venturing out only to search for food and hissing at other strays he meets. When Cat rescues and cares for a baby pigeon, the world begins to open up, as Pigeon brings Cat various treasures and Cat uses them to transform one of the walls of the lot into “something beautiful.” Then the two friends are separated. Cat’s long search for Pigeon forces him to explore his city (populated by anthropomorphized cats and dogs) and meet his neighbors, leading to a much more cheerful home when the two are finally reunited. ­Hemingway’s oil-on-board art has an animated quality that jumps off the page. The use of bright contrasts and dynamic perspectives helps bring the city and its inhabitants to life. Along with the main text, all of the dialogue is presented in speech bubbles, with Cat using words and Pigeon “speaking” in emoji-like symbols, which young readers will enjoy deciphering. A satisfying story exploring heart and home.

From the May/June 2022 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.