Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Bright Light Books and will receive a small stipend for this post. All opinions are my own.
Do you have a cat lover in your house? We are all cat lovers here and have two cats in our household including a kitten (at least for a few more weeks). Most kids love animals including kittens. If you have an emerging reader you will want to check out today's book. It is Oi Gets Lost by Lorna Likiza and illustrated by Yeveheniia Melnyk.
From the Publisher:
Oi Gets Lost Written by Lorna Likiza and Illustrated by Yevheniia MelnykAges 6+ | 124 Pages
Publisher: Bright Lights Books | ISBN-13: 9781739985318
Publisher’s Synopsis: Set in Kenya, Oi is a naughty kitten who lives with his Mummy and siblings in an outdoor shed. Despite Mummy’s warnings, Oi has a tendency of wandering off and exploring. But one day, after nearly being attacked by a dog, Oi ends up in an unfamiliar neighborhood. And this time, he’s not sure he’ll be able to find his way back home…
Oi’s adventure is sure to delight children and cat-lovers alike.
- ‘A brave and vivid adventure’ —Ijeoma Isichei
- ‘A sheer delight for all kids, a gem of a story’ —Okenna Nzelu
About the Author:
Lorna Likiza is a Kenyan writer, tutor of French, and Founder of the Heroe Book Fair. Oi Gets Lost is her first published book. She considers Literature as one of her passions and lives in Mombasa.
From Me:
Who doesn't love a good kitten story? This one is a fun one. Oi likes to sneak out when his mother is out hunting for food for her kittens. One day he goes too far and gets lost. He discovers what life without his family really means and learns how to survive. I love that he seems to understand the humans he interacts with, and he befriends a housecat. The housecat and Oi have very different lives and Oi compares them in his thoughts. There are terms that young American readers will not know because they are terms from Kenya and an explanation of some terms differing in America would be helpful; for example, Oi calls his mother Mummy. At the end of the book there is a little glossary of the foreign words. This is a perfect book to use to teach kids about glossaries and reading books that take place in different cultures and countries.
The book has a few illustrations throughout it but is not fully illustrated. The illustrations are colorful and fun and help to show some of the Kenyan culture and ways of life. This is a great book for kids who are ready for some more difficult reading but not quite ready for a novel. It teaches both culture and has a fun story and great character development. I also think it would be amazing for a lower elementary classroom to read and discuss!
Cat/Kitten Craft Round-Up:
We have shared many books about and with cats as well as cat crafts and more including some fun facts for World Cat Day! Since Oi is a kitten, I thought it would be great to have some kitten/cat crafts to go with this book. Here are some from my fellow bloggers! Paper and common household product crafts are first and then sewing and more complicated crafts are in the second group.
1) C is for Cat Craft from ABCs of Literacy
2) Handprint Cat from Mombrite
3) Cat Headband Craft from Simple Everyday Mom
4) Paper Plate Cat from Crafts by Amanda
5) Paper Plate Cat Craft from Simple Everyday Mom
6) Coffee Filter Cat Craft from Look! We're Learning!
7) Cupcake Liner Cat from Homeschool Preschool
8) Woven Paper Cats in Sweaters Craft from Pink Stripey Socks
9) Paper Bag Cat Craft from Simple Everyday Mom
10) Cat Paper Bag Puppet from Glue Sticks and Gumdrops
11) Origami Maneki Neko or Good Luck Cat
12) Origami Cat from Crafts Kids Love
15) Cat Mask Craft from Fantastic Fun and Learning
16) Cardboard Roll Cat from Mess for Less
17) Cat Rock Pets
18) Paper Quilling Cat from Artsy Craftsy Mom
19) Craft Stick Kitty from Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting
20) Slinky Cat Craft from Arty Crafty Kids
21) Bobble Cat Craft from Arty Crafty Kids
22) Cat Ball Game Craft from Hello Wonderful
23) Cat Whisker Lacing Activity from Your Therapy Source
24) Cool Newspaper Cats from Arty Crafty Kids
25) Cat Peg Doll (Not Pictured here)
1) Quick and Easy Cat Sewing Craft from Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting
2) DIY Felt Cat Plushie from Artsy Craftsy Mom
3) Beginner Sewing Project from Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting
4) Cat-Themed Air Dry Clay Ring Dish from Messy Little Monster
5) Cat Stationary Containers from Teach Me Mommy
Giveaway:
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Oi Gets Lost! Good luck!Ten (10) winners receive:
- A copy of Oi Gets Lost
