About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a major life transition, such as moving to a new home or starting a new school, and needs a comforting story about resilience. Suzanne is thrilled to move to the countryside because it means she can finally have a kitten, but the joy is complicated by the stress of being the new kid at school. When her beloved kitten Boots goes missing during a heavy rainstorm, Suzanne must navigate intense feelings of worry and responsibility. This gentle chapter book is perfect for 6 to 9 year olds, offering a safe space to explore the anxieties of change while providing a hopeful resolution. It is an excellent choice for teaching children about the emotional bond between humans and animals and the importance of staying optimistic during difficult times.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: The middle section of the book involves the kitten being lost in the cold and rain. For sensitive children, the descriptions of the kitten being wet, scared, and alone might cause some mild distress or sadness. 2. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss pet safety and what to do if a pet goes missing. There is also a brief opportunity to talk about the 'new kid' experience at school and how external stressors (like a lost pet) can make adjusting to a new environment feel even harder.
Ideal Reader
A 7-year-old animal lover who might be feeling nervous about an upcoming move or a new school year and needs a story that acknowledges those 'big feelings.'
Parent Prep
No specific pages need previewing, though parents of very sensitive children may want to reassure them early on that the story has a happy ending. A child crying because they feel responsible for a pet's safety or the fear of a pet being in danger.
Age Experience
Younger readers (6-7) will focus heavily on the kitten's safety and the 'adventure' of the search. Older readers (8-9) will better appreciate Suzanne's internal conflict regarding her new school and the difficulty of balancing new responsibilities.
What Makes It Special
Holly Webb's 'Animal Stories' series is unique because it doesn't shy away from the genuine, sometimes painful emotions children feel toward their pets, yet it maintains a reading level and tone that remains accessible and safe for early elementary readers.
Read plot summary
Suzanne moves from the city to the country and is finally allowed to get a kitten, an orange tabby named Boots. They are inseparable until Suzanne starts a new school. Boots, confused by the new routine, tries to follow her and gets lost during a severe rainstorm. Suzanne and her family must search the unfamiliar countryside to find him.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Suzanne was so excited to move to the country. How did her feelings change once she started her new school?
2
Boots tried to follow Suzanne to school because he missed her. Why do you think it is hard for pets when our routines change?
3
When Boots went missing, Suzanne felt like it was her fault. Do you think she was responsible, or was it just an accident?
4
How did Suzanne's family help her stay hopeful while they were looking for Boots?
5
If you were Suzanne's new friend at school, what would you say to help her feel better while Boots was lost?
