About This Book
Reach for Hip Cat when your child is facing a setback or feeling discouraged by a new challenge. It is the perfect choice for a young dreamer who needs to see that even talented people have to work hard and stay patient to reach their goals. This rhythmic, jazz-inspired story follows Oney, a cool cat who travels to San Francisco to pursue his passion for music. While Oney is a gifted saxophone player, he quickly learns that the road to success involves doing whatever it takes to survive, including working a day job at a diner. The book beautifully balances the excitement of artistic pursuit with the grounded reality of persistence. It is an excellent tool for discussing grit and the dignity of work, wrapped in a vibrant, musical package that is ideal for children ages 4 to 8.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with the struggle of the 'starving artist' in a metaphorical sense through animal characters. It is secular and realistic about the necessity of working a job one might not love (the service industry) to fund a passion. The resolution is hopeful and celebratory.
