Pigeon & Cat

The arrival of a baby pigeon prompts an anxious feline stray to venture outside the confines of his city lot in Hemingway’s heartening picture book. Following love at first egg crack, Cat and Pigeon’s caring relationship soon manifests through presents from adventurously airborne Pigeon. Upon receiving red chalk from the fowl’s outings, Cat covers the lot’s walls with pictorial tributes to his avian friend. After the bird fails to return one night, the feline goes in search, marking his path with chalk signs, and in the process growing comfortable with the world (“With every new message that Cat makes, the city looks a little more like home”). Stylized mixed-media art maps Cat’s transformation, presenting a muted palette that shifts to vibrant as the compassionate, genuinely moving tale builds to an “all are welcome here” conclusion. Ages 4–8. (June)