A Cat Story

September 1, 2020

Gr 4-7-In the Maltese capital of Valletta, a young cat named Cilla longs for a life beyond sleeping at the docks and stealing fish. After hearing the story of the mythical "quiet garden," wide-eyed Cilla drags her friend Betto along to find out more about the location of the old door-an entry that will take them to a home where cats are always welcome and well fed. A meeting with wizened church cat Old Paolo sends the two friends on an adventure across land and sea to the island of Gozo. Though they encounter physical and philosophical curveballs on their journey, Cilla and Betto are committed to discovering their ultimate home. Inspired by a past trip to Malta, Husted delivers a thought-provoking exploration of the power of storytelling wrapped up in a charming cat package. Naive, determined Cilla and cynical Betto are a complementary duo who remain loyal to each other despite differing outlooks. Their quest runs parallel with a contemplative thread examining the truth and perspective of stories. Readers will enjoy the visual storytelling that occurs when animals break out of panels to walk through a variety of art and paintings. Colorful, detailed, occasionally busy backgrounds immerse readers in the Malta setting. An extended final note includes all of the featured illustrations, many of which are from or about Malta. VERDICT Sure to spur discussion on how we envision and interpret stories.-Pearl Derlaga, York County P.L., VA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 15, 2020
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* Somewhere, there is a quiet garden where mice are slow and birds are fat, with a door that never latches. After hearing a tale about this mythical place, kitten Cilla becomes determined to find it, regardless of how many cats tell her it's only a story. Skeptic Betto, who enjoy his life on the docks stealing fish from the fishermen and sleeping under a leaky boat, agrees to accompany Cilla on her quest, and the two set out on an adventure that takes them far from home. Along the way, they meet guides, some speaking in riddles, others adapting zen koans into parables. All the while, the kittens' thoughts and experiences are illustrated by their movement in and out of famous, real-life works of art from a diverse range of origins. Husted's drawings are defined and detailed enough to stand up alongside these borrowed masterpieces while still being loose and expressive, ensuring that the cats maintain their cat-ness. As the kittens weave through the neighborhoods, rich oranges, greens, and blues evoke the Mediterranean country of Malta where the story takes place. A book that can be read on many levels and enjoyed by a wide range of readers, this is a beautiful reminder that there's a seed of truth in every story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

November 16, 2020
Stray cats wander Malta and lead mundane and monotonous lives in this graphic novel, stealing scraps and lazing about before retiring to an alley for the night. While Betto, a perpetually hungry tan cat, remains more than content with this life, Cilla, a white cat with black spots, decides to hunt for a mythical quiet garden, where cats’ tails are never stepped on, bellies are always full, and bodies are always safe and warm. Betto decides he can’t let Cilla travel alone, and the two journey across buses, boats, and a cantankerous sea en route to the quiet island garden, where they must ask “the right questions” to gain entrance. Throughout, various cats that the duo encounters relate stories they’ve heard—as when an elderly feline divulges information about the garden—via renditions of classic art (listed in the back matter) that showcase the creator’s versatility. Husted’s debut captures picturesque Mediterranean landscapes, and thin line art highlights the scrawny strength and fragility of the feline strays. Full of fun and whimsy, the story also reminds a heartfelt truth: “scraps aren’t so bad when you have a friend to share them with.” Ages 8–12. Agent: Judith Hansen, Hansen Literary Management.

March 1, 2021
This graphic novel, set on the island of Malta, is the story of stray cats who spend their days wandering the wet docks and eating fish scraps to survive. Cilla, longing for a more stable home, declares she will search for the mythical "quiet garden," which stems from a legendary kitten story; here live humans "with kind eyes who never step on our tails" and who welcome all cats. Cilla's friend Betto dismisses the story as "silly" but joins Cilla so that she doesn't have to travel alone. Their journey is perilous, and they meet curious characters along the way, including a feline who speaks in riddles and a herd of cats who essentially try to imprison them. Cilla is initially disappointed in what she learns about the garden but eventually realizes that "there is a measure of truth in all good stories." The tales the creatures hear on their journey are told through re-creations of classic art (noted in the book's back matter) by Renoir, da Vinci, Zhu Ling, and Randolph Caldecott. Husted has a loose, energetic line that reflects both the cats' graceful movements and their tough lives of scrimping. She captures the Maltese landscape with detail and a scrappy elegance. An enjoyable story, especially for cat-lovers, about how home is where you make it. Julie Danielson

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2021
This graphic novel, set on the island of Malta, is the story of stray cats who spend their days wandering the wet docks and eating fish scraps to survive. Cilla, longing for a more stable home, declares she will search for the mythical "quiet garden," which stems from a legendary kitten story; here live humans "with kind eyes who never step on our tails" and who welcome all cats. Cilla's friend Betto dismisses the story as "silly" but joins Cilla so that she doesn't have to travel alone. Their journey is perilous, and they meet curious characters along the way, including a feline who speaks in riddles and a herd of cats who essentially try to imprison them. Cilla is initially disappointed in what she learns about the garden but eventually realizes that "there is a measure of truth in all good stories." The tales the creatures hear on their journey are told through re-creations of classic art (noted in the book's back matter) by Renoir, da Vinci, Zhu Ling, and Randolph Caldecott. Husted has a loose, energetic line that reflects both the cats' graceful movements and their tough lives of scrimping. She captures the Maltese landscape with detail and a scrappy elegance. An enjoyable story, especially for cat-lovers, about how home is where you make it.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

August 15, 2020
In Malta, a stray kitten seeks a better life. Cilla the kitten is tired of eating scraps as a dockyard stray. A tale of "the quiet garden" where the humans are kind piques her interest, though all the other Maltese cats laugh at her for believing in fairy tales. Her skeptical best friend, a yellow kitten named Betto, joins Cilla against his better judgement. Their journey takes them through danger and around Malta while the animals they meet speak in philosophical riddles that Cilla takes as literal instruction. The stories that their mentors tell are illustrated as reimagined, primarily European works of art. There's no particular reason for Cilla and Betto to appear in these works, as they explore the Bayeux tapestry, are protected from Hokusai's Great Wave, and nap in Vincent Van Gogh's Caf� Terrace at Night. But the transformed classic artworks add visual interest to the deceptively simple panels (and for interested readers, a detailed endnote lists most of the works with some artistic context). Cilla's a white cat with striking black markings that accentuate her expressive face, whether she's disgruntled, scared, despairing, or happy to be with her best friend. The angles of her ears, drawn in simple, cartoonish stokes, tell the story of her feelings to any reader familiar with the body language of cats. Works equally well as simple animal tale, metaphysical journey, or reimagining of classic artworks. (Graphic fiction. 10-13)

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