Review by Booklist Review
In this cute and whimsical animal fantasy, three kittens at the local market help their mom with her beloved bakery stand. After making themselves useful for a while, the kittens are sent off by momma cat to enjoy the market day with a little spending money, and their gentle adventure begins. While the kittens roam, they look for the perfect gift for their mom, and the market is full of magical choices, like glittery sweaters, shiny trinkets, sparkly flowers, rainbow seashells, and magical soups, all drawn in lovely detail. Some booths take money, while others trade goods, and eventually, the kittens make their way back in time to enjoy the market's transformation into a big party. The simple, stylized cartoons and easy-to-read words in short sentences give way to the rich and colorful setting of the market, full of all sorts of anthropomorphic animals getting along genially. For little kids learning to read independently who love kittens and cute, sparkly things, this is a fun, accessible read with plenty to spark their imaginations.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Market day is a day of discovery for three anthropomorphic kittens. The cats from Spring Cakes (2021) help their mother sell her baked goods at market day for the first time. Calico kitty Cinnamon lays out the sweet and savory treats. Orange kitten Ginger trades some muffins for a scarf knitted by a cat who doesn't have any cash. But the kittens are quickly tired out…so Mom gives them some money and baked goods and sends them out to explore. They decide to look for a gift for her. The soup they eat is yummy, but as Cinnamon points out, it would spill if they tried to bring back a bowl. Gray cat Nutmeg wonders if Mom would like a carrot, but Ginger notes that they have veggies at home. Each kitten buys something as they search, so when they find the perfect gift--a rainbow shell--they have to barter for it. Then they notice that they're lost! Cooler heads prevail, and they retrace their steps to watch the sunset with Mom and enjoy a magical party in which the veggies come to life and dance. Harmon's second early reader for lovers of comics and cats is as charming and uplifting as the first. Simple text in speech bubbles and narrative boxes, combined with bright, engaging panels and a relatable story, make for a fine tale for those new to graphic novels. Let's hope these three kittens have more adventures to come. (Graphic fantasy/early reader. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
