Big Cat Pepper by Elizabeth Partridge, illustrated by Lauren Castillo Ages 4-8 32 pages Bloomsbury USA May 2009 Hardcover     A little boy’s family consists of himself, his Mama, and Big Cat Pepper. It’s always been just the three of them, and he’s never spent a day without Pepper. After school each day, he runs home to meet Pepper under the apple tree. On the days that he can’t find Pepper, the boy has a neat trick to bring Pepper out of hiding - he just shakes Pepper’s kibble bag, and the cat comes running. Lately, Pepper hasn’t been himself; he doesn’t want to play, eat or drink, or even lick his striped fur. Mama says he’s very old and that he might die. The boy makes a soft place for the cat to snuggle in and strokes him gently. The boy’s heart is heavy with the impending loss. When the boy checks in the morning, Pepper is gone; it turns out Mama was right. The little boy and his Mama bury Pepper in a flower bed and cover him gently with flower petals. Mama assures him that Pepper won’t be afraid - his spirit is forever, it can fly and soar. The boy stands under the apple tree one summer morning and listens quietly for Big Cat Pepper. The whispering wind sounds like Pepper’s purr, and the grass tickling the boy’s legs feels like Pepper’s soft fur. Breeze plays around him, and the clouds roll by. The boy’s heart “flies open,” and he is at peace even though he can’t say why. What a touching little story. Big Cat Pepper handles the death of a child’s pet in a sensitive but not mawkish way. The boy’s tender love for his ailing best buddy is evident in the text and the illustrations, which seem tailor-made for each other. This warm and wise book is highly recommended for any child dealing with the loss of a beloved pet.     web reviews   Usha Reynolds/2009 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)