The Cat Way

Sara Lundberg

Every day they go for a walk together, the human first and the cat a few steps behind. They always make the same rounds and there’s a particular spot where they usually stop to play hide and seek. But one day, the cat is fed up! She goes in a different direction, away from her human and the same, familiar path. The human becomes very afraid and confused. Should she stay or follow? Where is her cat going anyway? What if they get lost and never find their way home?

Sara Lundberg is one of Sweden’s most praised picture book makers and has been awarded several prestigious nominations and prizes, including the August prize twice as well as Snöbollen for best Swedish picture book of the year 2018. With The Cat Way she has created yet another colorful and poetic tale, a picture book for all ages.

Awards 

– Winner of The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award 2024

 

– Kirkus Review Best Picture-Book Conversation Starters of 2024

– Selected for the 100 Outstanding Books Exhibition by dPictus, BCBF 2023

– Selected for the Original Art 2024, an Exhibition of Children’s Book Illustration at The Society of Illustrators, New York

Press voices

“The stunning, saturated watercolor and gouache illustrations, in tandem with the thought-provoking text, chart the emotional journey of both human and cat as they discover that changing things up can result in fresh perspectives. A lovingly told exploration of compromise leading to a new outlook on life.” Kirkus reviews (starred review)

“Just like her previous books, The Cat Way is a visual treat. (…) It is a warm story about adventure in everyday life, and to dare to broaden your own horizons. A picture book for all ages about the friendship between humans and animals, about compromising and daring to let the one you love be free, but also about the security of unconditional love. (5/5)” BTJ

“There are books and there are BOOKS. Some platitudes only scratch on the surface. You’ve forgotten everything before you’ve barely had time to close the book. And then there are unforgettable stories, such as Sara Lundberg’s The Cat Way. (…) . The kind of book that floats, deepens, and always triggers your thoughts about life, love, relationships (…)” Dagens Nyheter

“An unbelievably beautiful picture book with text and illustrations that invite for an afterthought.” Shora Esmailian, Sydsvenskan

“There’s a funny surreal quality to this story, while at the same time the emotions are so real to me. It’s both telling its own story straight, while also feeling like it’s talking about a lot more than just the relationship between a woman and her cat. The art is fantastic, I love the gatefold (a rare three-page gatefold, no less!) and the simplicity of the telling. GREAT work by translator B.J. Woodstein, by the way! It really gets the tone of the book down JUST right!” Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production

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