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Pub date  April 16 2025

ISBN 978-1763686113

Price $9.99 (USD) Paperback, $0.00 Kindle edition

Reading age Baby-6

Length 27 pages

Author interview

Rogers’ debut picture book is a rhythmic, charming lesson in empathy and boundaries. Cleo the cat is a fan of cuddles, just not the ones that come with too much noise or unexpected handling.“If you squeal and run at me, / I will run away,” she warns. But Emma, her well-meaning human, can’t help herself. Every time she spots her feline friend, she shouts “Cuddle kitty!” and rushes in for a squeeze. What follows? “Hiss! Yowl! Run away!”

Rogers tells the story entirely from Cleo’s point of view. This clever reversal (seeing the story through the eyes of the animal) helps young readers tune in to what pets feel but can’t say. Cleo loves Emma, but she also needs gentler touch and quieter approaches. Her repeated refrains (“If you grab and pull my tail, / I will run away”) offer a kind of script for kids learning how to listen, observe, and treat others (furry or otherwise), with respect. 

The rhymes, with just the right balance of humor and instruction, are playful and accessible. “I guess I’ll have to show her / the right way to play,” Cleo declares after each failed cuddle attempt. And little by little, Emma learns. Alison Mutton’s gentle art captures the emotional beats perfectly. This is more than a cute cat book. It’s a purring, playful invitation to understand boundaries, read body language, and build trust—one gentle step at a time. 

A cozy addition to any child’s bedtime stack.

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