" Who's the best cat in the world? I asked him after Mom turned off the light. Charlie purred a rumbling reply."
But even the best cat in the world doesn't live forever, and the young narrator of this touching story struggles to deal with the loss of his beloved cat Charlie. His mother suggests getting a new cat, and after some hesitation, Vincent agrees. But the new cat, Shelley, is very different from Charlie. She doesn't look like Charlie, she doesn't like the same things Charlie did, and she doesn't do the things Charlie always did. But despite all these differences, is it possible that Shelley might, in her own way, also be the best cat in the world?
LeslC)a Newman's gentle story honors the full range of a child's feelings when dealing with the loss of a favorite pet. Ronald Himler's soft watercolor and pencil illustrations capture the poignant emotions of the young boy as well as the playful antics of his new kitten.
