'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Review: Cat's First Baby

Cat is agile. Cat is proud. Cat is independent and clever and delicate.

What cat is not is ready for the family to expand.

It starts with a ‘hello’, and the new bundle is small, so who cares. 

But the bundle grows, and moves, and makes noise. And… it doesn’t seem to be another cat.

Cat checks it out. From many angles. It doesn’t look like a cat, it doesn’t have a tail like a cat, but there are some similarities. Somethings they both enjoy doing (like napping!).

Cat’s First Baby is a glorious exploration of life with a new baby. Delivered in scrumptious (and hardy) board book form, this is the perfect book for new baby bundles (and their parents!). It’s joyful and truth-laden simplicity delivers a million smiles as you read.

Author/illustrator Natalie Nelson has captured the true essence of a cat on these pages. I love the way cat moves slow and steady at first, then tests the waters, then starts to embrace the change. Nelson notes she watched a lot of you-tube videos about cats and kids and interviewed loads of cat owners to build the best story ever. And she has.

Nelson’s illustrations are equally as glorious as her words. Colour extends to every corner of the page, with Cat (in blue) shining bright as you move through the story. The details are in the expressions, and nelson’s ability to inject so much emotion into every sideways look and glance is just magic.

This is a brilliant board book. Joyful, funny and engaging for the whole family. And if cats are not your thing, Nelson’s first book, Dog’s First Baby, is also a hoot!

But, really, who doesn’t love cats?

Title: Cat’s First Baby
Author/Illustrator: Natalie Nelson
Publisher: Quirk Books, $14.99
Publication Date: 1 March 2022
Format: Board Book
ISBN: 9781683692935
For ages: 2 - 5 
Type: Picture Book, Board Book