Opposites Attract (Kitty and Cat)

Two cats prove a study in contrasts in this humorous look at opposites from Hokkanen (Mossy and Tweed: Crazy for Coconuts). As Cat lounges on the windowsill, a pale-skinned human is seen heading toward the house holding a pet carrier. "Old" Cat's life is forever changed when a pair of human hands gently places tiny, bright-eyed "new" Kitty nearby. The ensuing pages visually depict the two pets' dance of getting to know one another as told in pairs of words with contradictory meanings. Cat, who sports black fur with a white patch around one eye, scowls and stuffs itself into a cardboard box on a page labeled "grumpy," as white Kitty, shown with a black patch of fur around the other eye, joyfully explores the levels of a colorful cat tree under the word "happy." The claws really come out when Cat is seen yowling and hair-raisingly jumping "up" as Kitty mischievously bites "down" on Cat's tail. After a dramatic chase sequence, the duo finds their way to an understanding--and a cozy, cuddling friendship. But a cheeky final illustration hints that quiet on the home front may not last. Digitally rendered feline figures pounce and play across ample white space, interacting with cat toys, yarn balls, and a goldfish bowl in various splashes of color, creating a lively, feline-forward concept lesson. Ages 2-5. Agent: Laurel Symonds, Bent Agency. (Apr.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Hokkanen tells a simple, satisfying story while including examples of opposites in a natural-sounding way. . . Color is used sparingly in some scenes and fully in others but always effectively. An amusing, enjoyable picture book for reading aloud.
—Booklist

The concise text, made up entirely of opposite words, is effective, while the digitally created illustrations of the protagonists will make cat lovers smile; together, text and art convey a simple story of the developing relationship between the new fur-siblings. . . endearing.
—Kirkus Reviews