Charming, delightful, inspirational and lovely are the words
that come to mind to describe, Oscar the
Christmas Kitten: A Story of Hope, an illustrated children’s storybook by a
mother and son team of authors, Robert and Beverly Kynor.
Set during December, in the frigid Christmas season, Oscar’s
curiosity got the best of him as he wandered outside his warm and cozy home to
see the lights decorating the other homes in the neighborhood. Seeking relief from the cold, Oscar snuggled
up to the heat of a car’s engine only to be trapped when the car started and
drove away. Later, finding himself lost
and cold, he sought shelter where ever he could, and wandered for days looking
for his home. One day, a passer-by
noticed the kitten next to a sign posted on a street lamp saying “Lost Kitten,”
and phoned the number. The owner came by
and picked up Oscar, and brought him home to his family, having been looking
and praying for his safe return. As the
story comes to a close, there is Oscar enjoying Christmas in his own bed, warm
and toasty.
The incredible journey, we learn at the end of the book, is
based on a true story. Yes, there is an
Oscar, and yes, he did accidently get taken away in a car for miles from home. Yes, he did wander for days. Yes, a sign posted outdoors lead to his safe
return. Robert and Beverly are the
people in the book, and due to their special skills in storytelling decided to
write this book based on their kitten, Oscar. It’s not often these idyllic children’s tales are based on true stories. I never saw a talking cat wearing a crooked
hat eating green eggs & ham, but Oscar exists!
Truth is stranger than fiction indeed, and children can be
told these true stories to instill a sense of hope and a “never give up”
attitude. The book is beautifully
illustrated by Michael Martinez, using pencil and watercolors, in a very
appropriately detailed fashion. The
pictures are designed for a child to visualize while being read the book, or
when older to read the book by themselves. The storybook is a perfect birthday or Christmas gift for a child, a
welcome addition to a pre-school library, or home collection of favorite
stories that can be passed down from child to child. Hardbound, with sturdy pages and finely
crafted binding, this book can last the nine lives that children often put a
book through. Let’s just hope Oscar
learned his lesson and there’s no sequel to his wandering adventure!
