For the Love of Autumn

A very sweet story with detailed writing and captivating illustrations. Any cat lover will like this one.

What an adorable book!! As an animal lover and cat (not owner, of course, but friend, I guess;>) I found this book especially touching and sweet and spot-on. It's obvious Polacco had a cat of her own and knew just how they can "help you unpack" and "scatter pencils everywhere" and be "the heartbeat of the home." <br /> <br />The illustrations of Autumn are completely precious! I'm not sure I was as big a fan of the people illustrations, but they fit well enough. <br /> <br />I adored the story (even if it was a tad predictable). And even though the ending seemed a bit too perfect/coincidental, I didn't mind, because, well, why *can't* things sometimes turn out so perfectly? <br /> <br />I probably should give this four stars, because of these "issues" (they really aren't issues though), and because I did feel that the writing style wasn't anything amazing. But, the story itself wins out and I have to give it five!

This was a very sweet book. It told a good story about a kitten that had wandered to another home. How would the two owners reconcile this? All ends happily. The drawings are nicely colored, detailed and the basic story has a lot of depth. All together a good satisfying read for all.

You'll want to go out and adopt a kitten after reading For the Love of Autumn. This charming storybook brings to life the joy and fun of having a kitty for a pet. The story is about Danielle, a young teacher with a kitten named Autumn. The gray kitty shares Danielle's life, pouncing at her ankles as she walks, and curling up with her in the evening with a bowl of popcorn. When the young woman gets a new job in a seaside village, Autumn "helps" her pack and move into her new cottage. Autumn disappears one stormy night and Danielle's students help her find the kitten, and her true love, as well. The heart of this book, as in other Patricia Polacco books for kids, is in the illustrations. The delicate full-color watercolors bring the story to life, and capture tiny moments like Autumn leaping toward a dragonfly on a flower. The faces of Danielle and her students show such expression. Even without the depth in the story, the book is worth it just for the artwork. Other good choices from Polacco: The Lemonade Club, Ginger and Petunia, I Can Hear the Sun (Picture Puffins), When Lightning Comes in a Jar, Mommies Say Shh! and The Bee Tree.