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Kitty Born at Sea: A Kitty Adventure

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Ages 9-90! In his first adventure, curious and funny Kitty grows up at sea protecting the big boat, Betty. Sailing from Mexico to Virginia, he experiences unfamiliar and exciting places with Captain, Momma, and Rod. However, young Kitty's world is limited to his home, Betty. He longs for excitement to be one day found on land! That day unexpectedly comes on the shores of the Severn River. Find out how this adorable baby cat handles his life-changing adventure. Let Kitty warm your heart and home!

132 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2017

11 people are currently reading
1302 people want to read

About the author

Donna Mae Smith

2 books47 followers
I am Donna Mae Smith, born Donna Mae Grigelis. I am a waterman’s daughter who grew up on the Mobjack Bay in Virginia. I had a great childhood being barefoot and carried a bamboo-fishing pole.

My father had followed his Uncle Corbett to Virginia’s grand James River oyster beds. Daddy learned and worked hard in the rivers while Mom took care of the home front and the budget. It was a great decision, for we prospered.

Some 20+ years ago, I returned to Virginia and the country road on which we lived. I have since sold real estate locally while enjoying my grown daughter and much of my family close by.

I started writing when I was nine or ten years old. I write what I know a little about, or what I think I know about. In recent years, I realized I have a cabinet full of works ready to be finished for publishing; I decided to return to my love of writing.

Writing is very rewarding and fun employment. I am always excited to get to my desk and begin to work!

Kitty Born at Sea: A Kitty Adventure is my first release. I am working hard on my next.

I thank you for purchasing and reading my books. I do hope we have a relationship that lasts a lifetime. Please offer feedback! You will help me grow.

Thanks so much, Donna Mae

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Keep Calm Novel On.
469 reviews71 followers
August 10, 2019
The author via Booktasters provided a copy of the ePub in exchange for an honest review.

Donna Mae Smith has written and illustrated Kitty Born at Sea: A Kitty Adventure. The reader will explore the world on Kitty’s fast-paced journey. This creative read is imaginative and draws the reader into Kitty’s life immediately. Betty is Kitty’s mother and she is modelling important life lessons and positive skills. Kitty is confident and comfortable in his own fur. Middle-grade readers will enjoy this well-written chapter book. An illustration introduces each chapter and gives the reader another glimpse into Kitty’s environment. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Cristina Slusariuc.
83 reviews6 followers
October 25, 2017
I was pleased surprised that, even if at the first view, “Kitty Born at Sea” seems a book mainly dedicated to kids, teaching them about the ocean in general through the lovely furry protagonist, the author managed to captivate me, as a grown up, down to the last page.

I appreciated the fact that, to create an engaging storyline, the writer knew how to combine an adequate language for the little ones, with a dose of geography and delicate humor. Due to this, I firmly believe that Kitty’s story easily develops the children’s thinking and imagination and, at the same time, stimulates them and the readers in general, to have constructive questions – in my case, related to the life decisions.

I didn’t have in a long time such a heartwarming reading! I would warmly recommend Kitty's story to the parents (and implicit their kids), who are looking for a delightful book.
8 reviews
August 27, 2017
Kitty is a rambunctious, mischievous kitten living and learning on board the boat, “Betty”. Kitty’s momma has her hands full, teaching kitty about life on the boat, and preparing Kitty for life on shore. They have great adventures as the boat sails from one port to another on its journey from Key West to Virginia. Life is exciting and grand, but not without peril, as Kitty finds outs.
Because I am familiar with many of the exotic, wonderful locations in this story, I enjoyed it as much as my grandchildren. Kitty’s story is a great one to stir a child’s imagination and encourage a lifetime of curiosity about places unknown. Kitty Born At Sea is sure to open up a new world in the minds of children who have never experienced the awesome ocean.
Profile Image for Gina  Rae Mitchell.
1,362 reviews98 followers
January 24, 2019
Follow the adventures of a rambunctious calico kitten as he learns about life on sea & land.

What an unusual little kitty. This story would be suitable for most children in the 8 - 12 age group. However, it would make for excellent bedtime reading to younger children.

I appreciated the subtle tie-ins to life lessons, manners, safety and more. The authenticity of the sailing and life on a boat is extraordinary. For a landlocked reader like me, it was quite educational. So maybe I should expand the recommended reading ages.

Perhaps Kitty Born at Sea could be tidied up a bit with editing, but the uniqueness of the story more than carries the book from start to finish.

Overall, I believe this book is well worth your time to read no matter what your age.
Profile Image for Divya Mahajan.
277 reviews22 followers
July 27, 2019
Kitty Born at Sea is a cute little read for very young kids that also teaches them some lessons about courage, morals and discipline.
Though in the beginning it looks a little confusing but once into the story, children and along with them adults would enjoy these these books. There were few illustrations but very beautiful. I wish there were more to make the story more colourful.
The story traces the young kitten "Kitty" as he learns from his mother Sara and human about growing up and courage and discipline. The story also teaches to face the inner fears and to be brave in any situation.
It is a sweet read and would also make children interested in reading and learning. I would recommend it to kids all ages. I got this book through @BookTasters from the author
Profile Image for Cherie.
1 review2 followers
April 5, 2018
My 9-year-old loved this book so much that she has written a review. We are both eagerly awaiting the next instalment. This is what she had to say:
"When I picked up this book and read the first 2 lines, I couldn't stop reading it, because it was so amazing. The whole book was super good, but there was only one thing I didn't like: there wasn't a second book! My favourite part was when Kitty finds her captain again."
Profile Image for Susan Barton.
Author 6 books94 followers
June 27, 2017
Kitty Born at Sea is a wonderful chapter book for middle grade readers. Listed in the 9 - 12 age group, this book has the perfect combination of simple and challenging words for this age.

Although it's geared toward children, Kitty Born at Sea is a lovely story for any age - readers who are cat lovers, like myself, will enjoy it immensely. I'd definitely read more from this author!
Profile Image for Donna Mae Smith.
Author 2 books47 followers
April 27, 2017
I am not sure how I got here. I am new to Goodreads.

However, Kitty Born at Sea is fantastic, but I am a little bias. Review me, please!!
13 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2017
Read it myself before passing it on to a child I know.
I think it's perfect for either a child or an adult to read to a child.
It's not too long, and I believe any small child will enjoy it!
Profile Image for Alison Klakowicz.
26 reviews3 followers
September 27, 2019
Kitty Born at Sea is ADORABLE. When I first chose this book what struck me was the title. I thought it was such a unique concept and wanted to know more about the kitten living on a boat. I grew up in a sailing and boating community in Eastern North Carolina on the Pamlico River and spent our summers in the OBX. As an adult I lived in Wilmington, NC and frequented the waterways. My father built sailboats as a hobby and side job when I was very young. So boating and sailing were a big part of my life. As a native North Carolinian and East Coaster, I was delighted when I started to turn the pages of this book to find the setting a part of my youth as well as my current life. The storyline of a little kitten being brought up on a sailboat traveling up the Eastern Seaboard with his momma kitty, the captain, and passenger Rod is beautiful. A real classic tale that reminds me of beloved books like Misty of Chincoteague. Purrrfect for the cat lover and beach lover in your life!
148 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2018
This not my kind of book. It was very different with the cat's perspective.
Profile Image for Char Greene.
1 review
March 8, 2022
My children love this book. They have read it several times. They are excited to read the next one.
41 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2020
Who doesn't love sweet cute furballs , called kittens. Most of us can spend hours just watching them. Their playfulness, their energy, their curiosity everything brings a smile. But do we ever wonder what it's like to be a killen ? What the kitten thinks, how it sees the world, how it's life changes as it grows up ?
The answer to all these questions is the book " Kitty born at sea by Donna Mae Smith. It shows the world through a kitten's eyes.
The book is the story of Kitty , a small kitten, who takes birth in a boat in the middle of the sea. His mother's name is Sara. At first there are only two persons in his life , one is his mother Sara , another is Captain, their human guardian. Then his life changes a bit and some other characters are also introduced as the story progresses.
This is a very cute story. Children will love it. But it will also be enjoyed by adults.
I liked Kitty 's adventure on land the most. Well thought and quite realistic.
Grt book . Eagerly waiting to read the next book of the series.
41 reviews
August 18, 2020
Kitty Born at Sea by Donna Mae Smith follows the eponymous Kitty on board a ship named Betty, along with the Captain, passenger Rod, and his mother. Having lived his entire life at sea, Kitty is intrigued by the land and soon gets the opportunity to see and explore different areas in the Gulf Of Mexico and the areas of the US. But one day he wakes up and discovers that Betty is supposedly no longer docked. Can Kitty make it back to the ship and his Momma?

This book is marketed to children around the age of 9, which seems fair. There are some words that perhaps younger readers will struggle with, and there is quite a bit of text which could be a deterrent. But older children can follow the plot easily enough, and it is adventurous enough to keep them entertained. The first few pages were admittedly a little slow; we essentially watch Kitty grow up and explore the ship. Some of the passages felt a little repetitive, and that became clearer when the characters begin to see and explore land. In this section, the plot really begins to kick in and provides a welcome contrast to the slower-paced beginning. The images, also done by Smith,  almost act as chapter headers and provide a small teaser for the upcoming chapter, enticing the reader to continue.

Nonetheless, Kitty Born at Sea provides a lot of themes and interests to children. There is the idea of facing one fears which children can identify and possibly relate to. But Smith has also cleverly woven facts about sailing and US coastal landscape into the narrative. Not only are younger readers potentially learning about new topics, but the book also encourages them to engage with the natural world, and perhaps explore the surrounding areas where they live. Kitty Born at Sea is a very positive and engaging novel in that sense as it tackles subjects that children understand and encourages them to learn more. Despite the rather slow beginning, Kitty Born at Sea is a sweet, fun novel for children and one cat lovers, in particular will, enjoy.
Profile Image for Rosie Lammin.
7 reviews
August 18, 2018
This book is different to the type of book I usually read therefore I didn't know what to expect. When i started reading Kitty born at sea I decided to do a bit of research and it aid it was aimed at ages 9+ which means it is also aimed at my age because of the plus. Which I thought was a bit mature I was thinking maybe ages five to seven even though the vocabulary would be very advanced for a five to seven year old.
Also within the first chapter I was very confused whether to what Kitty was as in some cases it can be used as a girls name as well as an actual baby cat. Also extending that note I had to re-read the first chapter to understand also where Kitty was because it wasn't extremely clear.
But there was some positive too! Like the way it teaches lessons such as face your fears which is part of the reason I believe it should be aimed at younger children so then they realize from a young age that you shouldn't be scared to conquer your fears. on top of that it is quite humorous especially for young children.
Overall this book has its negatives and positives and as I mentioned it is not my usual type of read and it was Interesting experiencing different types of books.
Profile Image for Kim.
384 reviews11 followers
July 25, 2019
I was given this book for free for an honest review for Booktasters.
Kitty Born at Sea is about a young kitten who is learning the ropes of sailing, and living on the land. It is easy to imagine his adventures and get swept away by his journey.

As a special education teacher, I am used to reading children's books, and yet the third person narrative and overuse of the names "Kitty, Momma, and Captain" bothered me at first, but once I got into the story, I was in love with every single character. I would recommend this book to any child (or adult) who loves cats. It could be read out loud to your child, or grandchild, or have your child read it to you, because there are a few difficult words, and sure to be lots of questions. I could not help but read it as teacher, and there are many life lessons within the story that could create wonderful conversations with students or children as you read it together. I have a very vivid imagination and the illustrations in my mind were so colorful that I wanted to paint a picture for almost every page. This would easily make a wonderful short cartoon, and I look forward to reading more of Kitty's adventures in the future.
Profile Image for Linda Guest.
45 reviews4 followers
September 15, 2019
A lovely story with easy to read language, ideal for the emerging reader, probably aged 8 -11 but enjoyable for adults too. This tells the story of a new kitten, born on a ship named Betty and his longing to get off the ship and explore some of the exciting places that he can see from the deck. The kitten is funny, charming and inquisitive, traits that any cat owner will identify with and the setting of the story provides a learning platform for geographical facts to be included. As a UK reader I knew virtually nothing about the USA coastlines that are travelled in this book and I found it all very interesting. As the star of the book, Kitty has a lovely personality and I can see this being a children's favourite read.
Profile Image for Robin Atkins.
418 reviews9 followers
December 7, 2017
What a cute story!

I love to read stories about cats. True stories or fiction, it doesn't matter. When I saw the book, I knew I had to read it.

This is a great story about a male calico cat named Kitty. Kitty has an adventure and what a big one it was. No spoilers here.

Reading this kids book was a lot of fun. The book is well written. A sweet book and a great read. If you like cats, you will enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book from the author via Booktasters for a review.
Profile Image for Pari.
152 reviews18 followers
October 31, 2018
This book was such a pleasant read. It had everything for a child’s delight, from talking animals, to travelling, to adventures at sea with different knowledgeable facts thrown in between the lines. The book caters to a wide range of age group, being suitable as a night time story for a one year old to a book of adventure for a 7 or 8 year old. After going through the book, the reader tends to have basic idea regarding a mariner’s life, the name of the units in a boat, even, about animal care.

Overall, it was fun to read this well – written book with lovely illustrations!
Profile Image for Angela Lambkin.
2,354 reviews27 followers
May 21, 2018
Kitty's grand adventures was fantastic.

The only that I did mot like was that this was a very long book. I enjoyed this book of adventures from Kitty's perspective though. I would recommend this for those who like animal, mysteries, people who enjoy stories of traveling on a boat like Betty, action and adventures stories as well. These are my reasons for give no this a rating of 5stars. Sunny
Profile Image for Maria Rivas-mc.
267 reviews8 followers
February 14, 2018
What a delightful story! Great as a series of bedtime stories for younger children but, If I were 8 again, I’d be gobbling it up and looking forward to further stories about the brave and bright Kitty. This illustrated book offers opportunities for discussions on boats, on weather, marine and animal life, as well as familial relationships, and that’s just for starters. Loved it
Profile Image for Donna Mae Smith.
Author 2 books47 followers
April 14, 2017
OK, this is my first children's book, and I love the story. The story is adventurous yet heartwarming, plus Kitty is a good role model for kids.

On Amazon, the cover has been updated. Will it update here? This cute little guy looks like a fox!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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