Our Favorite Maine Coon Children's Book

My Cat, Coon Cat

Introducing a lovely children's book featuring the wonderful, lovable Maine Coon cat breed!

If you have children or grandchildren, you'll want to check out My Cat, Coon Cat.

It's a sweet tale (tail?) about a young girl, her little kitten, and a big Maine Coon cat who welcomes them to a new home.

Set in Maine, the illustrations immediately brought the sights, sounds, and smells of a Maine summer to my mind. I could almost smell the pine trees and hear the crickets.

This Maine Coon book was just released on May 12, 2011 so it's been around for a while! This children's book is large, hard-covered, and well suited for younger children.

My two kids took to it more than most books, for a simple reason. They feel very proud of their two Maine Coon cats.

And when they saw this book, featuring a Coon cat, they could relate to it. They almost felt it had been written just for them!

This is the story of one summer day in the life of a little girl. She has just moved into a new house, with her small red tabby kitten.

In the morning, she opens the front door to see a humongous Maine Coon Cat on the doorstep. Did he live here before?

Throughout the day, the girl gains the trust of the big Coon cat, as he chases a dragonfly, takes a catnap, and gets chased by a big friendly dog. In the end, a friendship is born, along with a new name for the cat!

My nine year old daughter quite enjoyed it, then went back to the latest chapter book she was working on each night.

Thanks to all the reading we've done over the years, she has discovered the wonderful journey her books can take her on. Or, as we say, "a movie in your head."

My son, who was almost 5 at the time of this review, was just starting to read on his own. The words in My Cat, Coon Cat were just right for him. This is a book for an early reader, and also a book to sit down and read together.

Even the youngest child will enjoy the story, the illustrations, and the rhyme.

A friend of mine who just happens to be a speech pathologist was telling me recently that rhyme in children's books helps kids to develop language and reading skills.

We decided to share the book with my son's preschool class of 3-5 year olds. They quite enjoyed it, and were kind enough to share their thoughts with us!

FiddleStarts Preschoolers:
"Our Thoughts On My Cat, Coon Cat."

Libby: "I liked the baby Coon cat, it was the mom."

Logan: "I liked the two cats."

Mac: "I liked the part when the other cat came cause she was looking right at him & thinks there is a dog chasing him."

Page: "I liked the big cat."

Carter: "I liked the cat in the flowers."

Gavin: "I liked the humongous cat."

Marco: "I liked the cat."

Emmett: "I liked the cat with the black fur."

Addy: "I liked the cat & the flowers." (note: there are a lot of lupines in the book!)

Jake: "I liked the big cat & the little one"

Lily: "I loved the kitty!"

Braedon: "I liked the two cats & the dog."

Ervena: "I liked the cat."

I see a common theme! It's fun to share a love of animals with our children. Their teacher, Judy, shared some of their conversation with me.

After they went around their circle and shared their favorite parts of the story, the children began describing their own pets at home! So it started a great conversation, too!

So if you have children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews, and also love Maine Coons, a book is a great gift idea. You'll want to check out My Cat, Coon Cat.

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