• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Lola Sneyd’s empathy for children is reflected in her poems. She writes of nature: plants, animals, bugs, the weather; of the environment in the city, farms, cottage country; of people and their foibles.

In this fourth collection, poet Lola Sneyd and illustrator Doug Sneyd observe those enchanting and complicated creatures we love, cats! Here are cats as fierce as tigers – smiling – sliding into the food dish – purring innocently – independent – patting the water-drops – interrupting our work and scratching the chairs. Sound like a cat you know?

Lola Sneyd and Doug Sneyd have collaborated on three previous books for Simon & Pierre: The Asphalt Octopus, The Concrete Giraffe and Nature’s Big Top.

Lola Sneyd is a poet, shortstory writer and journalist who grew up in the west, but has been a Torontonian for many years. A former public health nurse, she writes about and for all ages. She has taught Creative Writing and Writing for Children's market for the Toronto Board of Education.

Lola Sneyd's profile page

Doug Sneyd is an internationally syndicated cartoonist and illustrator, as well as a muralist and portrait artist of note. He is a regular contributor to major Canadian and American magazines and newspapers. He has illustrated over sixty children's books.

Doug Sneyd's profile page

There is a sense of caring an wonder here which should appeal to children from 5 to 12.

The poems are brimming with fresh and interesting perceptions of the natural world brightened by the author's cheery humour; Doug Sneyd's pencil sketches add considerably to the lighthearted appear of the verse.

Familiar topics are presented with freshness and humour in colourful and picturesque language. The black and white illustrations and general layout make this a visually appealing book.