About the Holiday

Sponsored by global non-profit LitWorld and Scholastic, World Read Aloud Day encourages reading aloud to children not only today but every day. Reading aloud to children from birth is one of the best ways to promote language development, improve literacy, and enjoy bonding time together. Millions of people celebrate today’s holiday all across the United States and in more than one hundred countries around the world. Special events are held in schools, libraries, bookstores, homes, and communities, and authors and illustrators hold readings and visit classrooms. To learn more about World Read Aloud Day  and to find stickers, bookmarks, posters, and a reading crown to decorate, visit LitWorld.

Emergency Kittens

Written by Jody Jensen Shaffer | Illustrated by Dave Mottram

“Are you in a tough spot? Has life got you down?” Perhaps you feel the need to be rescued by a superhero—you know the kind: strong, fast, and with an awesome costume. But maybe there’s an even better option for making your day brighter. What is it? It’s actually three things. Three soft, cuddly, BIG eyed “Emergency Kittens!” “Meet Mimi, Twee-Twee, and Adorbs! These three cuties make everything better!”

Image copyright Dave Mottram, 2020, text copyright Jody Jensen Shaffer, 2020. Courtesy of Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

From ice-cream disasters to bad hair days to sticky situations, Emergency Kittens save the day. Take Sheldon. One day at the playground “his ball takes a bad bounce” right into the hands of three bullies. Sounds like this calls for some superheroes! And sure enough, they all “show up in a Flash!” with inspirational sayings, big promises, and eve their own hashtag. But while they’re busy lifting bulldozers, leaping tall walls, flying here and there, and getting all tied up in knots, Sheldon’s ball is still being bounced out of reach.

Image copyright Dave Mottram, 2020, text copyright Jody Jensen Shaffer, 2020. Courtesy of Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

Sheldon worries—who can help him? “Mimi, Twee-Twee, and Adorbs know the answer!” They spring into action—paws outstretched, capes flying—and in a bound they’re in the middle of the playground vanquishing those bullies with cuteness antics. But they still have one more play to make…ready? Who could resist those BIG EYES and rumbling Purr? No one! Not even the bullies. While those guys are distracted, Adorbs shoots the ball back to Sheldon. It’s just another day in the life of Emergency Kittens!

Image copyright Dave Mottram, 2020, text copyright Jody Jensen Shaffer, 2020. Courtesy of Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

Kitten lovers (and who isn’t?) rejoice! If you’ve ever gazed into a kitten or cat’s wide eyes and felt their little revving motor of happiness, you know how they can make any bad day seem better. Jody Jensen Shaffer brings that feel good warmth to her funny story that is purr-fectly aww-some. Sprinkling her story with puns and take-offs on superhero lore, Shaffer plays with stereotypes to deliver cuddles galore and a message that might is no match for sweetness and a little unconditional love.

Dave Mottram pulled out all the glimmering, hypnotic adorable stops in giving these Emergency Kittens their show-stopping, bully-melting gaze. Hilarious exaggeration, giggle-inducing rescues, and a set of clueless, self-absorbed superheroes will have kids in stitches from beginning to end. And the double-spread, poster-worthy reveal of the Emergency Kittens using their super power in its full force is sure to elicit plenty of prolonged Awwws and Ooos and exclaimations of “I want one!”

Sure to be a super hit with kids, Emergency Kittens! belongs on every home, school, and public library bookshelf for those times when extra TLC is needed.

Ages 3 – 7

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2020 | ISBN 978-1984830081

Discover more about Jody Jensen Shaffer and her books on her website.

To learn more about Dave Mottram, his books, and his art, visit his website.

World Read Aloud Day Activity

Match the Kittens Puzzle

These kittens all have a twin, but they got mixed up while playing! Can you find the pairs again in this printable Match the Kittens Puzzle?

You can find Emergency Kittens! at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

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