Jane Smith (15) (1978–)

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through Library Thing's early Reviewers program.)

"Miss Meow" is a little girl with a pair of black and pink cat ears, a fuzzy faux tail, and a boundless imagination. For Miss Meow, it's about the simple pleasures in life: a full bowl of cheese crackers; a soft, cozy cat bed to snuggle up in; scritches between the ears; and a ratty (pardon the pun) old toy mouse. But when an honest-to-goodness feline invades her territory, can show more Miss Meow learn to - gasp! - share?

MISS MEOW is a silly little book with a great big emotional center. As someone who used to pretend to be a dog - running around on all fours and lapping water out of a soup dish - I can definitely relate to Miss Meow. But she can also be a little bratty, especially when harassing her younger brother Felix (I'm not saying I wasn't also a brat, but it's not exactly endearing). I guess this makes the swelling-of-the-Grinch's-heart moment at the end that much more poignant, though. I love the emphasis on animal rescue, and opening up one's home to creatures in need. show less

This is an adorable book for children about a little girl who is fully convinced that she is actually a cat. Her family plays right along with her, even when they discover an 'actual' cat. This is a cute story about a little girl who discovers just how big her heart can grow.

This is the first children's picture book I've received through Early Reviewers. I flipped through it a few times and also read it twice. I'm hesitant to suggest this is a book with re-reading value. I don't quite see children asking to be read this one over and over again. Feels more like one read and done.

I can see giving this book to a child who really likes cats. Even if they don't pretend to be a cat like the little girl in this book.

As far as the message or theme of the importance of show more play, make believe and imagination it's there but it seems second to Miss Meow blaming her little brother for getting in the way of her being a cat. We watch Miss Meow handle this conflict in one way: being cranky. When she's cranky a storm rages outside her home and when she's content the sun is out.

The illustrations are best labelled cute and purple seems to be a dominant color. I think the end papers of the book are fantastic. I think that's my favorite part.

I visited the author's website because I was not familiar with any of her other books and the site has a selection of tie-in crafts and activities.. That definitely adds value for parents and educators. show less

This is a very cute picture book that focuses on a young girl's love of kitty cats. She dresses up like one and her loves to play with a toy mouse just like a real cat. Then one day her toy mouse is destroyed. She blames her older brother only to discover that maybe he isn't the one to blame. Colorful illustrations and great message on imaginative play, sibling rivalry and on discovering unexpected surprises. This would be a fantastic read aloud for young children and especially for animal show more lovers. I received a complimentary copy as part of the Librarything Early Reviewers. show less