REVIEW: IT’S SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY!

When my grandfather was alive and still living in his house, he had a daily lunchtime routine: He would sit outside of his backyard workshop, drink a glass of milk, and eat a sliced apple with peanuts (always in-the-shell) that he kept in a coffee can. His yard was full of creatures like mice and birds and squirrels. Lots of squirrels. Squirrels who loved peanuts, maybe as much as my grandfather. As you can imagine, my grandfather and the squirrels became close friends. Close enough that he hand-fed at least one of them. To extend my, and my grandfather’s, appreciation for squirrels, today I recommend a picture book about a man, a hat, a cat, and squirrels:

​TITLE: HAT CAT
AUTHOR: Troy Wilson
ILLUSTRATOR: Eve Coy
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press/2022
OPENING LINES: 
 
The old man lived alone.
Every day, he stepped onto the back deck and put some peanuts on his hat.
And sat, as still and welcoming as a grand old tree.
The old man loved the squirrels.
And they knew it.

This sweet story is about a man, a cat named Hat, and a yard full of peanut-loving squirrels. The man loves Hat, but doesn’t let him out, for fear he will leave or chase the squirrels…or worse. But, one day, the man isn’t there to love Hat or feed the squirrels. Then someone new comes along, and Hat gets the chance to go out. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens next, but I promise you will be treated to a heartfelt conclusion. Eve Coy’s charming watercolor and pencil illustrations are perfectly suited for Troy Wilson’s simple, yet heartwarming text. You won’t want to miss this lovely, emotional story about trust and friendship.
 
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