Ethan and the Strays

Every day on their way to and from school, Ethan and his older brother, Sam, pass three stray cats. Ethan would desperately love to keep one, but Dad says no pets. As the weather grows colder, Ethan worries about how they will stay warm and fed. He brings them his leftovers, and Sam buys outdoor cat shelters from a veterinary clinic, where the boys take the cats to be spayed and neutered before re-releasing them. Will Dad change his mind on the no-pets policy?The mixed-media artwork is colorful, the protagonist is adorably cherubic, and it is a positive representation of two brothers of color working together on a project in a sweet, collaborative way. While the story may be thin, it’s a solid, fact-filled book for kiddos curious about cat care, incorporating information about how cat fur grows thicker in winter, how you can calm a cat by draping a blanket over its cage, and how insulated boxes provide shelter for strays. Thoughtful back matter includes resources and tips on how to catch-neuter/spay-return a cat.