Just So Stories

New South Books

Greystone Kids

June 2025

ISBN 9781778401718

RRP: 29.99

How can I not absolutely love this one? Based on a true story and about a little girl and her friend, her black cat May, my first thought was of The Kid and Whiskers aka The Demon Spawn. This pair has been together for almost 11 years, her mother having got the kitten for her not very long before she died. And as an extra bonus, this is the first book I’ve ever reviewed which also features words from a Canadian First Nations language, namely Cree.

Author/illustrator, Julie Flett, is a highly regarded, award-winning Cree-Métis creator and I just love that this story is a true anecdote about her niece, Margaux and her best-friend-cat, May.

May was a little too curious when Margaux’ aunt was packing up to move and got a little too comfortable in a cosy box. While Margaux worries over May not coming home that night, Nitósis (Aunt in Cree) starts unpacking and sorting in her new home when she hears a ‘meow’. Yep, May was transported in a very dark box bumping all the way to the city.

Needless to say, Nitósis has to turn around and drive back to deliver a very affronted May to a very relieved Margaux. It’s just a sweet and happy story that could easily happen to any cat really. We all know about cats and boxes!!

Of course, when we move house it’s a mission and a half to get The Demon Spawn into a carrier – risking life and limb really. Clearly May was made of more docile stuff. Both text and artwork are simple and effective. Kiddos will love this as much as I do. Not all friends are human ones for sure! It’s a purring 5 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛rating.