The editors at the Hyacinth Review were given a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you’ve ever encountered a cat, chances are you’ve gotten the impression that they’re in the middle of something more important; a quest, perhaps. That’s the story behind Joren Cull’s latest release, Lap Cat, which follows its titular hero as they traverse a candy-colored town in search of the perfect lap.
We meet Squirrel, Kitty, Jo Jo, and the owners of several whimsical shops as Lap Cat runs amok, breaking buckets, windows, and sandcastles along the way. Each time, Lap Cat is oblivious to the destruction he’s caused, focusing only on his quest.
Every page is a visual delight, filled with details that would keep any child (or adult) busy on an I Spy style scavenger hunt. What’s truly impressive, however, is how Cull balances an eye-catching illustration style with substance. The reader is never fully distracted from Lap Cat’s mission, which takes a heartfelt turn as they realize how their quest has impacted the people closest to them.
It’s a lesson all of us could remember, regardless of age, and the beauty of Lap Cat is how universal both its message and medium are.
You can snag your own copy of Lap Cat through Penguin Random House as well as other major booksellers, including Bookshop.org.
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