Cat’s First Halloween

Baby-Toddler–This board book focuses on the bond between a cat narrator and its baby companion. The story presents some general elements of the Halloween season, rather than covering the rituals or folklore, or presenting a substantive plot. Given the sparse, straightforward lines—“We sneak./ We peek./ We prowl…/ and we yowl!”—the vibrant art adds necessary detail to the uncomplicated language. Emphasizing the bond between the cat and its unnamed baby companion, the illustrations help readers understand the urban setting and its relationship to the words better. For example, a page with the simple words “Outside, it’s getting chilly” is accompanied by the baby in a baby carrier picking apples with their parent. Seasonal elements not represented in the words show up in the art, which includes jack-o’-lanterns, costumes, decorations, and more. Overall, the simple words err on the thin side of spare, although the illustrations bring in some detail. This is not a comprehensive overview of what the season entails, although it hits on a few lively notes, and it hits them brightly enough. The baby and parents are Black.