Alicia Potter's (Mrs. Harkness and the Panda) words and Birgitta Sif's (Oliver) illustrations work in tandem to provide warmth, humor and charm in this tale of pets and their people.
When Miss Hazeltine opens her Home for Shy and Fearful Cats, she is surprised by how many people drop off their pets. Some are afraid of mice and birds; some won't purr. She offers classes on many topics, including Bird Basics, Climbing Up and Climbing Down, Scary Noises and (the hardest) How Not to Fear the Broom. One cat, Crumb, is more frightened than the others and hides all day long.
When Miss Hazeltine heads out to fetch a bucketful of milk, she trips and sprains her ankle and is unable to return to her charges. They all muster their courage and head out into the night to rescue her. Bringing along the feared broom from their training, the cats find Miss Hazeltine and help her back home, confirming that they have become cats who are "Shy and Pretty Brave If You Ask Us."
Sif's use of many details--particularly everyone's wide eyes--is especially effective. This is a quiet story that will long be a favorite in homes, libraries and schools. With a light touch, Potter and Sif remind us that, even if we are afraid, we can all find courage when we need it. --Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop