Scamp - by Anden Wilder (Hardcover)

About the Book

A little girl thinks she is a cat, just like her feline best friend, until she begins growing up and learns that being a big kid is not so bad.

Book Synopsis

This playful story about a little girl and her best cat friend is a unique exploration of the changes children go through as they grow from toddler to big kid--for fans of Truman and Big Cat, Little Cat.

Scamp believes there are two cats in her house--one pink (Scamp herself) and one black (Hector)--until her growing body begins behaving in not-so-catlike ways. She suddenly finds herself standing on two feet...eating with a spoon...even enjoying the bath. What is happening to her? But when Hector needs help, Scamp must choose between acting like a cat and taking a big-girl stand to rescue her friend.

This sweet and poignant picture book, with inviting watercolor art by a debut talent, perfectly captures the moment when a little girl realizes she is becoming a big girl, and the universal bittersweet beauty of change.

Review Quotes

A Kids' Indie Next List Pick
A Junior Library Guild Selection
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for Ages 3-5
Winner of the Purrfect Page-Turner Award

"An adorable tale sure to resonate with kids learning their own independent skills."--School Library Journal

* "Wilder's delightful text pairs perfectly with illustrations done in gouache, watercolor and colored pencils.... With its subtle humor and whiff of nostalgia about the inevitable passage of time, Scamp is likely to be kept on the shelf for years to come."--BookPage, starred review

"Funny and relatable. I can't wait to do storytime with this book!" --Suzanne Lucey at Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, NC

"Gentle and sweet, and shows a child learning on their own, from their perspective. There are no parents guiding the very young child (it reads as a one year old) to hold their hand, and thus gives the child real agency, and we don't see that enough in picture books (or any other book for that matter)." --Paul Swyden at Silver Unicorn in Acton, MA

"Perfect for the youngest cat lovers! Simple and delightful--the mirror images of cat and child will get readers into the spirit of Scamp!" --Jessica Palacios at Once Upon a Time in Montrose, CA

"A delight from first page to last, this joyous, beautifully illustrated cat tale jumps off the page with true-to-life emotions from both the young cat/person to the expressive cat." --Maureen Palacios at Once Upon a Time in Montrose, CA

"Employing succinct, lively language, Wilder tells a satisfying story about friendship, change, and milestones. Crisp minimal illustrations, often bathed in warm light blues, capture both the humor and poignancy of connection between a child and pet."--The Horn Book

"The playful premise is a hoot, and Hector and Scamp are a truly precious pair. The inviting blue-and-pink-hued illustrations have a comforting, cozy quality about them, and comical details abound. An adorable ode to feline friends and a welcome reminder that growing up doesn't have to mean everything changes."--Booklist

"The spare text plays against the illustrations with gentle humor, demonstrating that while change can be unnerving, true friendship will find a way to endure.... Perfectly adorable, especially for families with babies and felines of their own."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Truman meets Big Cat, Little Cat in this playful story about a little girl and her best cat friend--a unique exploration of the changes children go through as they grow from baby to big kid.

Scamp believes there are two cats in her house--one pink (Scamp herself) and one black (Hector)--until her growing body begins behaving in not-so-catlike ways. She suddenly finds herself standing on two feet...eating with a spoon...even enjoying the bath. What is happening to her? But when Hector needs help, Scamp must choose between acting like a cat and taking a big-girl stand to rescue her friend.

This sweet and poignant picture book, with inviting watercolor art by a debut talent, perfectly captures the moment when a little girl realizes she is becoming a big girl, and the universal bittersweet beauty of change.