A little black kitten with a white heart on his forehead is abandoned in the forest in this original fairy-tale from Clyde Robert Bulla, eventually finding his way to the city, where he is adopted by Tell, a talented painter who had given up on his art in despair. Inspired by his new feline companion, Tell takes to painting again, and creates a beautiful room dedicated to his Valentine Cat. But when the cat is stolen by the devious chimney-sweep Ketch, and made to climb down sooty chimneys, it seems that neither will be happy again. Fortunately, the cat finds its way to Princess Florinda, and in turn leads her to Tell, changing both of their fortunes forever...

A delightful story from Bulla is paired with lovely vintage illustrations from Leonard Weisgard in The Valentine Cat, a simple six-part chapter-book first published in 1959. Whether the beginning chapter-book reader enjoys stories in which homeless animals find a family and home, or loves fairy-tales featuring princesses, this book is sure to please! The only other Bulla title I have read, The Wish at the Top, was also a fairy-tale of sorts, and both stories are enough to convince me that I should seek out more from this author. Recommended to children who are just getting going with longer fiction, and who enjoy animal stories and/or fairy-tales. ( )

Ex libris Rebecca Schaffner ( )