"Brooke Kerrigan brings this picture book to life with full-page, mixed media illustrations. She thoughtfully portrays characters and objects from unique visual perspectives where their positions enhance readers' connection to the story. Brenna's storyline and word choice, in combination with Kerrigan's realistic illustrations, make The Girl with the Cat award-worthy. It is relatable to children, yet reminds them of an important message: they can make a difference. Friendship is another theme portrayed in this story. This charming picture book can be used as a book to read for pleasure, inspiration, or as a teaching tool at home or at school. Possible follow-up activities to reading this story include brainstorming ideas for meaningful letter writing or visiting a nearby (or virtual) museum where students can enjoy experiencing the power of art. These activities and teaching of themes may need adult prompting, or it's possible that some children may seek these out on their own.

Highly Recommended " -- CM Magazine "I love absolutely everything about this book! It is beautiful in both the story and the illustrations. What makes this book even more special--it is based on a real-life situation that happened in 1966 in Saskatoon, Canada. There are a couple of powerful messages going on in the story at the same time. First, this young girl starts to really see the beauty of art. When she first arrives in the museum, most of the art does not really appeal to her and she feels the paintings are just big stripes of color or dots. However, the more time she spends in the gallery telling her stories to the statue, she starts to see these paintings as other things such as the sea and boats on a warm summer day. It is as if the paintings are coming to life all around her. Another important message in this story in the power of the written word.

This young girl used her words in a letter to persuade the director of the museum to keep the statue--and it worked. The best part--the back of the book shows a picture of the young girl and her brother (Caroline and Frazer Markham) and a photograph of the actual letter she wrote to the director." -- Youth Services Book Review "This Is a great lesson, that anyone can make an effort to do something positive for the world. One voice soon becomes the voice for many." -- Shelf Life Magazine.