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Little Cat's Luck

Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell
LIST PRICE $17.99

About The Book

From Newbery Honoree Marion Dane Bauer comes a heartwarming novel in verse that’s a companion to the “wholly satisfying” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) Little Dog, Lost.

When an indoor calico cat named Patches spots a golden autumn leaf fluttering past her window, she can’t help but venture outside to chase it. But soon, Patches feels something tugging at her, telling her to find a special place—one she won’t know until she sees it. Why must she go on this search? She doesn’t know yet.

Along the way, Patches finds herself in dire circumstances, but with the help of the other neighborhood animals, she faces off against the scariest dog in town and continues on her journey to her special place.

Beautifully told in verse and accompanied by adorable illustrations by Jennifer A. Bell, this heartwarming novel from Newberry Honor­–winner, Marion Dane Bauer, is a timeless, touching, and fulfilling story about finding your way home.

Excerpt

Little Cat’s Luck


Little cat,

searching.

Little calico cat

searching for a place,

a special place

to be her very own.

What she would do with a special place

once she found it,

she wasn’t sure.

Perhaps she would just curl up for a good nap.

But if she didn’t know

what her special place was for,

she knew exactly

what it would be like.

Hidden away,

snug,

dark,

quiet . . .

very, very quiet.

The little cat,

whose name was Patches,

by the way,

had checked

every possible spot

in her

entire

house,

looking for her special place.

Corners,

closets,

cupboards.

Even the dusty space

behind the refrigerator

and the floor beneath the kitchen table

next to the chipped blue bowl

that held her kibble . . .

and occasionally a touch of tuna.

Nothing

was quite right.

Not the pillow

where she slept

next to her girl’s sweet breathing.

Too open.

Not the basement

where her man pounded nails

and whirled saws.

Too noisy.

Not the studio

where her woman

slathered paint.

Too smelly!

And so,

on the day our story begins,

Patches sat just inside the window

at the front of her house,

gazing out

at the wide wide world

and longing.

She licked a paw

and ran it over her ginger ear.

She washed her black ear next.

But just as she was starting on

her pretty white face,

something caught her eye.

Something golden.

Something

f

a

l

l

i

n

g.

About The Author

Photograph © Marion Dane Bauer

Marion Dane Bauer is the author of many books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor book On My Honor and the Coretta Scott King Book Illustrator Award winner The Stuff of Stars. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and can be reached at MarionDaneBauer.com.

About The Illustrator

Jennifer A. Bell is an illustrator whose work can be found in greeting cards, magazines, and more than forty children’s books. She studied fine art at the Columbus College of Art and Design and spent many years designing seasonal giftware and greeting cards before becoming a children’s book illustrator. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (February 9, 2016)
  • Length: 224 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781481424882
  • Grades: 3 - 7
  • Ages: 8 - 12
  • Lexile ® 760L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

*“Bauer is a master . . . and crafts, with remarkably little text, memorable, fully understandable characters with achingly real worries and sorrows. . . . Bell's softly shaded illustrations are a perfect accompaniment. Excellent for young readers and all cat lovers.”

– Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"An endearing tale that is told with warmth and humor and a great understanding of love. This companion novel to Little Dog, Lost (S. & S., 2012) shines all on its own."

– School Library Journal

“[A] charming tale for young readers. . . . Animal-lovers will want to take this home pronto.”

– Booklist

Awards and Honors

  • CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
  • Maine Student Book Award Reading List
  • Texas Bluebonnet Master List
  • Minnesota Book Award Nominee

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Marion Dane Bauer

More books from this illustrator: Jennifer A. Bell