FIONA AND THE PECULIAR PRAISE
by Rennie Dyball ; illustrated by Maine Diaz
A pet cat named Fiona finally gets the recognition she deserves in Dyball’s picture book.
When Fiona, a fluffy white house cat, wakes Mom for breakfast in the morning, Mom says: “Too early, pretty kitty.” Then, when she helps with a rogue mouse, the neighbor calls her “Lovely.” In the evening, she chases a new toy, entertaining everybody with her acrobatics, and they call her “cute.” At dinner, Fiona sits on a laptop, and Dad asks: “Is it dinnertime, Gorgeous?” Fiona is fed up. “‘GORGEOUS?!’ THAT’S IT. I am OUT of patience now. I’ve done amazing things today, but all anyone can talk about is the way I look!” Finally, her human “sister” Lou (who has brown hair and light skin) says, “You know what I love about Fiona… I love how smart she is!” To Fiona’s relief, Lou goes on to acknowledge all that Fiona does for the family. Diaz’s full-page cartoon illustrations in pastel tones highlight Fiona’s dynamism. The illustrations bring the prose to life; readers see Fiona’s bravery, strength, and athleticism in action, as well as her expressive face. The first-person narration in Fiona’s voice adds weight to her dissatisfaction with being objectified. The story’s energetic pace mirrors Fiona’s busy day as well as her frustration, building to the dinner-table climax before the comforting ending.
A humorous reminder that cuteness is overrated, and some cats are not to be underestimated.