Ruffles and the Teeny, Tiny Kittens by David Melling, nosy crow, c2021, 2022 (first U.S edition). 9781536227468
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Format: Hardcover picture book
What did you like about the book? The irrepressible Ruffles is back! And this time he seems to find himself in charge of five teeny, tiny kittens. Ruffles is an adorably cute little white dog with a big grey circle around one eye and a big black nose. The five little kittens are a variety of orange. Ruffles is a kindly little dog but, even so he does not like sharing his food or his ball, nor his snacks, cushion, basket, tree, stick, hole, window, chew toy or his blue blanket. But the kittens do. They have taken over his blue blanket and that is just TOO much! A tug of war ensues with the blanket being ripped in two! The kittens feel just as miserable as Ruffles. The blanket is now too small to warm Ruffles in his basket – until the kittens pile on him to keep him cozy. Though the story is somewhat predictable, it does not delete any of its charm and cuteness.
The illustrations, rendered in pencil and colored digitally, are sparse on the page with all white, blue, red, green, or yellow backgrounds. It’s just Ruffles and the kittens, no props, making the characters and the story stand out in their simplicity.
Anything you did not like about the book? Not a thing.
To whom would you recommend this book? Those who liked Ruffles in his first story, Ruffles and the Red, Red Coat, will surely love this one even more. Readers who like stories with dogs and cats will also gravitate to this sweet story.
Who should buy this book? Public libraries and child-care centers
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Totally worth the time, yes!
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review
Date of Review: September 30, 2022
Youth Services Book Review 
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