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LOLA AND THE RENT-A-CAT

Name: LOLA AND THE RENT-A-CAT
Author: Ceseli Josephus Jitta
ISBN: 978-1-84780-139-5

by Ceseli Josephus Jitta & illustrated by Ceseli Josephus Jitta ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 1, 2010

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This peculiar import, an award-winner in Holland, may struggle to find an appreciative audience stateside. It’s possible that something was lost in translation—or perhaps cultural norms and values differ. The plot is clear and believable if not particularly engaging. An elderly couple are happy together. The husband dies. The wife is lonely. A pet provides comfort. Present-tense declarative sentences convey the action effectively but have an abrupt tone that some young listeners may find disconcerting. “One day John falls over. His heart stops beating.” Jitta’s illustrations likewise lack conventional child appeal. Created on a background of graph paper, they include collage, ink and paint. Figures are simply, sometimes awkwardly, drawn, and backgrounds are generally unpopulated. Movement is implied, and some gentle visual humor is included, but unfortunately the overall effect is disorienting. Unlike the winsome Tim (the cat Lola selects from the titular website to keep her company and cheer her days), this odd tale is unlikely to be chosen and enjoyed by casual browsers. For parents seeking to explain changes in a grandparent’s behavior after being widowed, however, it may be helpful. (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2010

ISBN: 978-1-84780-139-5

Page Count: 28

Publisher: Frances Lincoln

Review Posted Online: Dec. 25, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2010

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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DECOY SAVES OPENING DAY

by Shohei Ohtani & Michael Blank ; illustrated by Fanny Liem ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 3, 2026

A charming tale of an athlete who may not steal any bases but who will certainly steal readers’ hearts.

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Ohtani, pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, teams up with Blank and Liem to tell the story of how his dog, Decoy, threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

It’s a big day! Decoy leaps “off the bed. Then back onto the bed. Then off the bed.” The enthusiastic pup heads outside to practice with his lucky baseball but is quickly distracted by squirrels (“we’ll play later!”), airplanes (“flyin’ high!”), and flowers (“smell ya soon!”). Dog and pitcher then head to the ballpark. In the locker room, Decoy high-paws Shohei’s teammates. It’s nearly time! But as Shohei prepares to warm up, Decoy realizes that he’s forgotten something important: his lucky ball. Without it, there will be “no championships, no parades, and no hot dogs!” Back home he goes, returning just in time. With Shohei at the plate, Decoy runs from the mound to his owner, rolling the ball into Shohei’s mitt for a “Striiiiike!” Related from a dog’s point of view, Ohtani and Blank’s energetic text lends the tale a sense of urgency and suspense. Liem’s illustrations capture the excitement of the first day of baseball season and the joys of locker room camaraderie, as well as Shohei and Decoy’s mutual affection—even when the ball is drenched in slobber, Shohei’s love for his pet shines through, and clearly, Decoy is focused when it matters.

A charming tale of an athlete who may not steal any bases but who will certainly steal readers’ hearts. (Picture book. 5-7)

Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026

ISBN: 9780063460775

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

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HELLO, SUN!

by Lala Watkins ; illustrated by Lala Watkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 2025

Say hello to a relatable and rewarding early reader!

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Fun with friends makes for a great day.

Norbit, a salmon-colored worm with a pink kerchief, joyfully greets the day and everyone he encounters. “Hello, friends! It’s time for fun with the sun! Let’s play!” He and his menagerie of forest pals—including the sun, who grows limbs and descends from the sky—exuberantly engage in various forms of physical activity such as jumping, going down a slide, spinning around, and watching the clouds go by. Young readers will readily relate, as these are games that most children are familiar with. As day turns to night, Norbit says farewell to Sun and welcomes Moon with an invitation to continue the fun. Watkins has created a vivid world of movement and merriment. Her illustrations feature bright bursts of color that match the energy of the text, with most sentences ending in an exclamation point. The author/illustrator incorporates many elements that make for an ideal early-reading experience (despite the use of a contraction or two): art free from clutter, text consisting of words with only one or two syllables, and repetition and recurring bits, such as a continued game of hide-and-seek with Sun. Inspired by never-before-seen sketches from the Dr. Seuss Collection archives at the University of California San Diego, this is the first title for Seuss Studios, a new imprint for original stories from “emerging authors and illustrators” who “honor Seuss’s hallmark spirit of creativity and imagination.”

Say hello to a relatable and rewarding early reader! (author's note) (Early reader. 5-8)