Children love books, animals, and bright colors--this book combines them all in a perfectly sweet, artistic way. Over the course of a single day, a blonde-haired little girl makes a new friend by reaching out, tenderly wooing, and patiently awaiting the love of a cat that showed up on her doorstep that morning. She eventually wins the heart and trust of this shy, fluffy coon cat. From climbing a tree and napping in the sunshine, to exploring the neighborhood and chasing a dragonfly, to watching the full moon and cuddling with the little girl and her own kitten, this timid Maine coon cat is welcomed into a new home after he welcomed them to their new home.

Both the author and illustrator have homes, and further ties, in Maine. Their love of this place is obvious through their words and work. The Maine coon cat, which I had never heard of before reading this book, is thought to be native to Maine, is the State Cat of Maine, and is now making a presence here in children's literature. Available for a reasonable price--$18 or less--this book is a great addition to any home (or other) library. The book is full of delightfully detailed watercolors that are painted with a bright, eye-catching color palette. The beautifully captured nature scenes (birch trees, bright purple flowers, tree blossoms) and the lovely depictions of inside a home (rugs, toys, wallpaper) are engaging and invite the readers to linger over each page.

My Cat, Coon Cat is a large book with a hard cover and easy-to-read print. The rhyming text could be read by an early-reader or read aloud by a seasoned reader to anyone of any age. The simple, lyrical verse that flows from page to page will make you smile. It is an easy-to-follow, heartwarming storyline that will win the hearts of parents and children alike.

Product review by Melissa Cummings, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, June 2011