Barney and the Kitten
Written by: Hisako Madokoro
Illustrated by: Ken Kuroi
Translated by: Peter Howlett
Published by: RIC Publications Ltd Asia, Japan
Ages: 3 – 6yrs
Theme: Love, caring, responsibility, adventure, friendship and humour.
Opening Lines: One day, Barney goes to play in the park. He hears a sound coming from under a park bench.
Synopsis: Barney is a chubby little puppy who loves adventure. One day he finds a cute little kitten crying in the park. The kitten runs to Barney snuggling up, thinking he is her mother. Barney is not sure what to do but when realising the kitten is lost, sets out to find it’s mother. Barney proves himself to be a real “big brother.”
Why I like this: It is such a cute and engaging story of an older puppy taking responsibility for a young kitten. The gentle sweet story written in bold print is easy to read and children will love it’s warm fuzzy message. Children learn the value of caring for others. The warm sweet illustrations are playful and a delight. The pages of the book are thicker than normal so will wear well with the constant request to be read. The book was originally published under the title of “Korowan wa Onlichan by Child Honsha Co ltd in Japan, 2006, later translated from Japanese to English. Great as a bedtime story or an added tool to help a young child adjust to a new arrival in the home
Resources/Findings: Although there are no resources directly related to this book , here are a few ideas where this book would be useful.
A great teachers aid for teaching about looking after animals…. http://www.allaboutanimals.org.uk/primaryTeachers.asp
All you need to know about very small pets for kids, links and communities, clubs, etc… http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/kids/best-small-animal-pets-for-children.aspx
Have kids in the classroom write why their brother or sister is the best. Here is examples and quizzes, etc… http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/home_family/comments_siblings.html
For parents helping their child adjust to a new sibling…. http://www.babycenter.com/0_helping-your-preschooler-adjust-to-a-new-sibling_3636582.bc
Thought you would like to see a little of illustrator Ken Kuroi’s work…. http://www.kaiseisha.net/illustrator/ken_kuroi.html
For more books with resources please head on over and visit the lovely author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with the books reviewed by many authors
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Awh, so cute! My kids are both asking for pets right now but they’re smelly ones so wherever they are we’d smell them through the air vents. Phil is so against it, but I think it’s great for kids. I’ve got to think of something 😉 We love our dog. Hmm..
Awwww.. “can we have a puppy, Mum? Can we please, Mum…..” lol I can imagine. They are cute, but they also grow up. I agree pets are good for kids. They learn responsibility and also that it is not all plane-sailing. Thanks, Catherine. 🙂
It’s a nice message to see cats and dogs getting along. We’ve had dogs that did and those that didn’t. Their personalities are different, just like people!
True, I guess, some personalities do clash. I have that problem at work and I am sure my cat and dog were much better behaved…lol. Thanks, Wendy. 🙂
What a sweet story. Would that most dogs and cats get along with one another!
It is sweet Jarm. Reminds me of my dog and cat. I must do a post on them one day soon.
That cover is way too cute!
Isn’t it, Joanna! I loved it right away! 🙂
Thanks for featuring this book. I love to see the way foreign picture books are put together. They just have a different flavor somehow, especially the German and Nordic ones. I hope this book will not be hard to find. Thanks again.
Your very welcome Joanne. I too love cultural themed books as well as books from overseas. Hope you find it… (Love your blog btw) 🙂
When on saw the title on Susanna’s list I pictured a big purple dinosaur. So glad it was a cute chubby puppy. This looks way to cute to not read. It’s on my library list.
LOL…. a dinosaur! It is way too cute Laura. I loved it right away! 🙂
This looks very cute, Diane! I love warm fuzzy stories… and warm fuzzy puppies and kittens 🙂
It is cute Susanna. Glad you liked it. Thanks for being here.
Barney is very cute! 😀
Isn’t he just! 🙂 Glad you like this Erik!
Awe so cute. You won’t believe this but I tell my toddler boy a story like this only it’s about a dinosaur baby looking for his mum,and another one helping him ( he’s dinosaur crazy) lol! Proves I must have some good ideas.
This sounds so cute and sweet! Thanks for the review. I’ll add it to my list.
Love the message for kids. Very sweet book!
This looks and sounds like a cute book. Any book that helps teach kids about taking care of animals and getting along is a good one! I hope that they found that kitten’s Mom. Or even better, that it went home to live with Barney! Thanks for sharing!
Diane…what a super review of what looks like a great book…and wonderful resource links as well.
Because I’m going to be surrounded by Asian authors, illustrators and publishers next week, I’m glad to add to my I’ve-heard-of-that-Asian-book-inventory…is the Asian theme carried through with the illustrations?
This cover looks old fashioned,m but I just looked it up, from 2006 – or was this a reprint? I just want to hu those two on the cover!