Review | Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect

Summary: Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect

Miguel lives in New York City with his Mami and Papi and wants more than anything to be an artist, even though his immigrant parents want him to have a more traditional career. The next thing on Miguel’s wishlist is a pet, so what a joy when he finds a cat near his parents’ bodega. Written from the perspectives of Lolo the cat and Miguel, we follow these two as Lolo adjusts to having a family and learning to share his space and the love he’s received and Miguel finds a way to share his artsy dreams with his family.

The Good

Oh, what a charmer! I got an eARC of this book, but I was in between so many books that the young MG voice just wasn’t holding my attention, so I decided to wait for the audiobook release, and it was worth it. This young MG book (under 150 pages long) also includes cute black-and-white illustrations showcasing the bodega, Miguel’s family, and Lolo’s escapades. We also get an occasional peek at Miguel’s comics of Lolo in graphic panels (something I missed on audio)!

I loved the bodega setting and the Latino representation in this book. I was also enchanted by Lolo’s perspective! It’s so sweet hearing how a new pet adjusts to a new home and how safe it feels, as well as seeing Lolo reckon with his past and open up his home to other people. Miguel really struggles to help his parents see his perspective, so he lies at first, but eventually comes clean and faces the consequences — everything is handled appropriately.

Finally, this book is not all sweetness and sunshine. There’s also a bit of action as Lolo confronts some bad cats and even has to save the day once with Miguel’s help, so that should satisfy your young readers who like a dash of adventure.

Content Notes

Here are some specifics to know about the content.

Content Warnings

• Death: None
• Alcohol/substance abuse: None
• Sexual content: None
• Religious content: None
• Language: None

Diversity

• Ethnic: Most characters are Latino
• Sexual orientation: None

Recommended for ages: 7+

Good for kids who like:

• Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
• Katherine Applegate’s books
• Cats
• Books about art
• Stories set in the city
• Illustrated chapter books

Publisher Details

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