About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling displaced by a new addition to the home, whether it is a rowdy new pet or a crying new sibling. Frank the cat has a perfectly curated life of quiet naps and snacks until a 'bad surprise' arrives in the form of a slobbering, boundary-crossing puppy. This charming chapter book uses a humorous animal lens to validate the very real feelings of resentment, jealousy, and the loss of personal space that children experience during family transitions. It is an ideal bridge for early readers (ages 5 to 8) that moves from the frustration of shared territory to the eventual, gentle realization that a new companion might just be a friend in disguise. Parents will appreciate how it normalizes negative emotions without judgment, providing a safe space to discuss how we handle big changes in our 'kingdom.'
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with feelings of displacement and rejection in a secular, metaphorical way. The resolution is hopeful and realistic, showing that while things won't go back to how they were, the new normal can be even better.
