The Cat Man of Aleppo

by Irene Latham, Karim Shamsi-Basha, Yuko Shimizu (Illustrator)

The courageous and true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War offered safe haven to Aleppo's abandoned cats.

Aleppo's city center no longer echoes with the rich, exciting sounds of copper-pot pounding and traditional sword sharpening. His neighborhood is empty--except for the many cats left behind.

Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay--he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, War, Nonfiction, Cats, Childrens, Biography

34 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2020

About the author

Irene Latham is a poet and novelist who was born the middle child and first daughter of five kids.

Irene has lived all sorts of places and traveled worldwide. Since 1984 she has called Birmingham, Alabama, home.

She thinks growing up with three brothers was great preparation for raising her three sons. She also thinks getting a sister was one of the best things that has ever happened to her.

Irene is proud to be the only leftie in her family of origin AND in her current family.

According to Irene's Dr. Seuss' MY BOOK ABOUT ME, she has wanted to be writer since she was eight years old.

She also wanted to train a horse that her sister would ride to victory in the Kentucky Derby. That hasn't happened. Yet.

Irene didn't take a single writing course in college.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A flat, dry presentation for material about which I have mixed feelings.

I get the love for pets -- I have two dogs -- but I'm weirded out when donations of money and resources are directed to saving animals in a war zone when there are people in that same area who need the same stuff. And this book draws attention to that by having the protagonist himself actually start diverting some of the charity he receives for the cats to helping the people around him, which then opens an ethical can of worms, I suppose, because there is some donor somewhere who gets to be indignant that a human stole a meal they intended for a cat and could demand their money back.

Larger picture, it solidifies concerns I have about our reliance on a patchwork system of charities that occasionally over-saturates some problem areas while others go completely neglected because they are not, y'know, photogenic enough. At its core, this is implicit bias in action.

Finally, I sometimes wonder about books like this where the creators are profiting off the story of a person or persons who are still actively in need of financial or other support. I mean, the Syrian Civil War is still ongoing, but I see nothing on the book or marketing website about this being a work for charitable benefit or even anyone involved having paid the Cat Man for rights to his story. I guess it raises awareness and provides links for making donations in the tiny print at the end, but is that really sufficient when there are people (and cats) currently living in a war zone?

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartwarming and beautiful true story of Syrian ambulance driver and paramedic Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel. In 2012, when the civil war erupted in Aleppo destroying the city, families fled and abandoned their cats. Alaa began feeding the homeless cats and by October 2013, he decided to create a sanctuary for the stray felines in his neighborhood. Italian humanitarian Alessandra Abidin learned of his efforts and spearheaded publicity and donations from around the world. Alaa became known as the Cat Man of Aleppo. As donations grew, he has expanded to include a playground and orphanage for children and a shelter for other rescued animals. This marvelous illustrated children’s book is a testament to a man with the biggest heart. It touched my soul. See ernestosanctuary.org for further information. 5 big stars.

[Tatiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say it about a picture book, but I feel like there is a lot of context missing in this story.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, This was a heartwarming story about a man taking care of the abandoned cats in the war torn city of Aleppo. I read this because its a Caldecott Nom book. Caldecott is about the art and not so much the story. I can't say much about the artwork. It's not bad and not great. It's good work, but I don't see why it was nominated. It seems fairly straight forward artwork.

This is a true story. I don't know, I simply wasn't drawn into the story. There was hope in the story and animal lovers are going to love this book so much.

I would be interested to know what kids would think of the book. It seems rather serious for a bedtime story and yet, it's also about hope. I don't know what they would think.

[Ms. B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a book for cat lovers! This is the true story of a man, Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel who starts a sanctuary for cats in his war-torn home. Even if you're not a cat fan, the authors' and illustrator's notes will inspire you.
This is a picture book for animal lovers of all ages; old or young.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that illustrates what happens when war comes to a city. Many leave, others stay behind. The story focuses on ambulance driver Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel who stays behind and does what he can to help those around him. In particular, the story focusses on how he cares for the cats people have left behind. The illustrations are gorgeous and according to the explanation at the back of the book, they were thoroughly researched for authenticity. Despite the story being about the devastating effects of war, it is a joyful and hopeful one, focused on what we can do to help in a time of suffering.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the civil war began in Syria, many people were forced to leave their homes in search of safety. Unfortunately, most of the people, in their haste to evacuate, were unable to take their pets with them.

Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel is an ambulance driver in Aleppo. He stayed behind in his war torn city to help as many people as he could. Then he became aware of the many abandoned, frightened, and starving cats that were roaming the streets. He began to try to care for them. But with little money it was difficult. When people became aware of his humanitarian efforts, donations began to arrive from all over the world! Not only could he help the cats, but now he could also help orphans.

This book tells Mohammad’s amazing and selfless story of love, kindness, and compassion. Even though it is written for young readers, adults would enjoy reading this book as well.

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

With their 2020 picture book The Cat Man of Aleppo co-authors Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha tell the inspiring, thought-provoking and indeed true story of Mohammed Alaa Aljaleel (who is actually and in reality known as the Cat Man of Aleppo).

Yes and basically, in The Cat Man of Aleppo Latham and Shamsi-Basha textually and with an understated but celebratory personal accolade show how Mohammed Alaa Aljaleel refuses to leave (to flee from) his home city of Aleppo, Syria when civil war breaks out, how he, how Alaa (even during the intense horror of unrest, of strife, of indiscriminate bombings) is still working every day as an ambulance driver in order to help and to provide aid to his fellow citizens (those who have not tried to leave, those who are unable to leave Aleppo). And narrationally accompanying Alaa driving his ambulance, The Cat Man of Aleppo (and of course Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha) then depict poignantly, heartbreakingly but equally with a sense of sweetness and hopefulness that as he, as Mohammed Alaa Aljajeel is driving through the often bombed and destroyed streets of Aleppo, he is often encountering stray and feral housecats (many of them abandoned because of their human families being forced to flee their homes), that filled with compassion and loving pity for these abandoned and unfortunate felines, suffering only due to a war completely caused by humans and by human bigotry and hatred, Alaa begins to feed and give clean water to the stray cats of Aleppo, which ends up winning Mohammed Alaa Aljaleel international media attention, and charity aid from abroad (with which an animal sanctuary is able to be built, as well as a playground for the local children).

Now on the surface, with The Cat Man of Aleppo Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha's presented text clearly and painfully demonstrates that during wartime, domesticated animals (from companions to livestock) are also and equally often and sadly victimised (and in every way as much and as horribly as people), are brutally injured, are killed or are like it is being described with the stray cats of Aleppo, Syria abandoned as their human families are forced to to become refugees (and it is indeed textually encouraging to see how Mohammed Alaa Aljaeel in The Cat Man of Aleppo actively provides both help and affection to and for Aleppo's stray felines and how charities from abroad have responded with enough generosity to help not only the abandoned cats but also Aleppo's children).

But yes, if I do dare to dig a bit deeper, there is also left one main and for me totally necessary, required question that really should be asked as well as answered by the authors in The Cat Man of Aleppo, by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha (even though I must admit that my inner child is not really asking, but that my older adult self most certainly is). For considering how much of an ecological and environmental problem (and even a potential fiasco) feral cats can be (and in particular for small perching songbirds), that domestic feral felines tend to be prolific breeders and can thus easily overpopulate and spread diseases, I for one do find it rather sadly frustrating and actually quite ridiculously lacking that NOWHERE within the pages of The Cat Man of Aleppo is there any information provided by Latham and Shamsi-Basha whether helping and caring for the abandoned stray housecats of Aleppo also entails them being spayed and neutered, having veterinary care and necessary feline specific vaccines being provided. For no, while Mohammed Alaa Aljajeel providing food and water for the stray cats of Aleppo is of course something positive in and of itself, without a spaying/neutering and veterinary care campaign, just feeding and watering the abandoned felines in my humble opinion actually has the tendency to do more harm than good in the long run both for the environment and also for the cats themselves.

And indeed, that in The Cat Man of Aleppo Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha make no mention AT ALL regarding the latter, yes, this is majorly and personally annoying and frustrating, this is a huge textual problem for (in particular older and critical adult) me and enough so to only consider a three star rating for The Cat Man of Aleppo. Because even though The Cat Man of Aleppo is poignantly and sweetly recounted and that I can certainly understand why and how Yuko Shimizu's delightfully expressive black ink and digitally colourised accompanying illustrations have won her a Caldecott Honour designation for 2021, that spaying and neutering the abandoned felines of Aleppo, Syria seems to not be considered even remotely important, well, to point out that this is majorly grating on me is both true and also kind of an understatement (and in particular since Yuko Shimizu's pictures in The Cat Man of Aleppo of huge masses of feral stray cats totally visually demonstrate that there is in fact a massive problem with feral felines overpopulating Aleppo, Syria and needing to be not only helped, not only aided but also controlled with regard to to their obviously increasing numbers).

[chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

i received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

a beautiful, heartwarming story told in pictures and simply-structured paragraphs. full review to come.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need a feel-good picture book? Look no more. First, before the story, there’s a note from Alaa that begins with “This is a story about cats and war and people. But most of all, it is a story about love…” ❤️ This picture book tells the story of Alaa who stayed behind in his country when so many needed to flee for safety during the war. He drives an ambulance and helps those in need. Among the city rubble, he began to find abandoned cats that were hungry. Many, many cats. Everywhere! He scrabbled together some funds to buy a building and set up a sanctuary so cats can be fed. After a while, word got out and donations began coming in from all over. Now, when others have to leave the city, they bring their cats (and other animals) to Alaa to care for.

The art for this book was first drawn with black ink on watercolor paper, then scanned in and colored using Adobe Photoshop. Be sure to check out the notes in the back matter! Congratulations to Irene Latham, Karim Shamsi-Basha, and Yuko Shimizu for being awarded a 2021 Caldecott Honor!

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

The Cat Man of Aleppo was an honest look into the difficult times the people of Syria have been and are experiencing. What does one do with their pets when war comes to their doorstep? To their neighborhood?

Aleppo is Alaa's beloved city. He wants to help, and in time realizes cats are everywhere, hungry and scared. It is a blessing to all, including all those kitties, when Alaa determines it is his mission, his responsibility to help them find what they need to live and enjoy life. Alaa becomes so good at taking care of those furry creatures, that he turns his talent to the humans left behind in Aleppo. He finds resources and recreation to help children be children, even if there is war all around them.

An eye-opening read for my group. They had not considered that play and war might exist in the same spaces, where cats might also find sanctuary.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and touching book. When war comes to Syria, a gentle-hearted man named Alaa chooses not to flee, but rather to stay and help. In a bombed-out, nearly deserted city, Alaa realizes that "there is something he can do: he can look after the cats."

Alaa's little project to feed and shelter the abandoned cats of Syria grows by leaps and bounds. Soon his story has gone around the world thanks to the Internet, and donations come from all across the globe. He is able to build a sanctuary for cats and other animals, build a playground for children, and dig a well and distribute food to the people of his city. States the text, "All he did was love the cats, and that love multiplied and multiplied again."

This is a wonderful story of the power of compassion, and a powerful counterpoint to those who argue that caring about animals is unimportant and a waste of time. Compassion is an action word, and there's nothing that prevents us from expanding our empathy to encompass all of those who are in trouble.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have some problems with this one.

1. Isn't the civil war still going on?

2. Not that I like dogs, but ... what happened to them?

3. Who are the random kids who buy the first batch of meat for the cats with him?

[Kris Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well... it would certainly invite questions.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Co-authors Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha tell the story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, the eponymous Cat Man of Aleppo, in this deeply moving picture-book. A man who had always loved his home city, Alaa refused to leave Aleppo when civil war broke out in Syria, working as an ambulance driver in order to help his fellow citizens. As he traveled the increasingly bombed-out streets, he encountered many stray cats, left behind by their human families, who had fled in the face of war. Filled with pity for these creatures who suffered because of humanity's actions, he began to feed the stray cats, an action that soon won him international media attention, and aid from abroad. With this help, he built an animal sanctuary, a playground for the local children, and did many other wonderful things...

Chosen this year (2021) as one of four Caldecott Honor Books - the others are: Zetta Elliott and Noa Denmon's A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart , Cozbi A. Cabrera's Me & Mama , and Deborah Underwood and Cindy Derby's Outside In - The Cat Man of Aleppo features the striking artwork of illustrator Yuko Shimizu. Drawn in black ink and then colorized digitally, the illustrations here often have an immediacy that complements and builds upon the pathos of the story. The scene, toward the beginning of the book, in which Alaa stands in a dark room, with bombs going off and fires burning, in the view from his window, is a powerful example of this:



Other scenes, such as the one in which Alaa and some helpers feed the street cats, have great charm, capturing the beauty and appeal of these felines, even in the midst of carnage:



As I mentioned in my review of Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade's We Are Water Protectors , which won this year's Caldecott Medal, the hallmark of an excellent picture-book is the way in which text (or story) works together with artwork, and The Cat Man of Aleppo exemplifies this perfectly. As much as I enjoyed the artwork here - hard to believe that this is only Shimizu's second picture-book! - I also found the story itself very moving, and I was in tears on more than one occasion, while reading. At times of crisis, our minds often turn to the suffering of our fellow human beings, and this is both natural and commendable. But it should also be remembered that animals suffer beside us, and they suffer because of us, both as individuals and as societies. However little power the common man or woman has, and it is little enough, it bears remembering that our animal friends have less. When I read stories like this, I am always reminded of the words of Cooroo the fox, who in Pat O'Shea's marvelous fantasy novel, The Hounds of the Morrigan , tells Pidge that "it is a sad and puzzling fate to share the world with man, but what can we do?" What indeed?

This is one I highly recommend, to any picture-book readers looking for stories about war - about the suffering it causes, for both humans and animals, and about the courage and compassion it sometimes evokes, in those caught up in it. Would you or I, reader, stay behind in an Aleppo, helping both our fellow humans and our fellow creatures? Until it happens to us, who can say?

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated and very moving picture book is based on the true story of the Cat Man of Aleppo. An ambulance driver who chooses to stay when so many others head off to try and establish themselves in new countries. Almost all of his family and loved ones have gone and Alaa is left, pining for them but taking comfort in the cats who are missing their own families. He decides to make an act of kindness, he feeds them and brings them water. Thus develops a beautiful relationship and an ongoing project, to care for and nurture the cats of Aleppo. This book is just lovely, a treasure. I particularly loved the way that the street scenes really seemed to reflect the devastation that war brings while showing the beautiful faces of the people who had lost so much, as they struggled through the debris, being kind to one another. Sad and beautiful.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book is about Mohammed Alaa Aljaleel, who stayed in Syria even as war was ravaging his city. He would feed the abandoned cats that he came across in the city, but eventually there became so many that he created an animal sanctuary. I just love how this book shows that when you give of yourself, you get back so much more in return.

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 4 out of 5]

All cat lovers will swoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jhgw2...

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, I thought that I would love this book more than I actually did.

The positives, it’s bringing awareness to the war in Syria and how it affects both the humans and the animals, it includes how one can reach out to and help with donations and the authors and artist obviously feel that this subject is important.

What I wasn’t fond of? The artwork and it doesn’t seem that any of the proceeds from the book go towards the cat sanctuary that Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel started. Which is odd, considering the subject of the book and that the authors and artist all seem to feel so strongly about it. The tone was also very simplistic, but it’s a children’s picture book, so it can’t be too complex I guess.

So overall it left me a little cold, which surprised me. I was expecting more. Completely my perception, not the book’s fault.

3, I’m glad the book exists and can bring attention to the subject, stars.

[Peoria Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spencer rated it 5 stars.

[Agnė · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Cat Man of Aleppo is a heartwarming true story of love and compassion for all beings. When the war comes to Syria, Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, an ambulance driver with a big heart, refuses to give up and leave and instead takes care of abandoned pets in the city of Aleppo.

"Alaa's big heart is happy. All he did was love the cats, and that love multiplied and multiplied again."

Although not my favorite personally, Yuko Shimizu's detailed and, based on the illustrator’s note, well-researched illustrations hauntingly capture the atmosphere of a war-torn city:

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.

Adults don't want to talk about war with children, although many of them have already been or will be caught in one. Latham and Shamsi-Basha tell the story of a war through a lens of activism and acts of hope. Apparently everyone who cares about cats already is familiar with the ambulance driver who devoted himself first, to rescuing the abandoned house cats of Aleppo, and later, using the offerings of people all over the world to rescue other pets, to create a playground, and to create an orphanage.

Even in the worst time, and civil wars are the worst times I can imagine, there are people who think of and work to help others. I appreciate that the creators included personal notes about ways they have helped, and guidance to further resources.

Library copy

[Coenraad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet story brings the ravages of war to the fore: what happens to the animals in a destroyed city? I read this story in the same time as Christy Lefteri's The beekeeper of Aleppo, and the contrast is stark: both are based on real people, but the one flees the destruction and death threats, the other stays and starts looking after the abandoned cats. The Cat Man is criticised for his support of the regime or the rebels or some group he should not support, but the main message is: someone should demonstrate humanity in the way people treat animals. For this he is a hero, although some may see him as flawed in other respects. The lovely illustrations support the harrowing yet inspiring story.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book that allows younger readers to learn about and recognize their connections with the consequences of war around the world. An uplifting result of one man's kindness and outreach shifts heartbreaking reality to hopefulness and commitment to action.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenges: Book-A-Day in May 2021 (11/31); Reading Goal Posts/21 in 2021 - Project Seventeen/21 Caldecott Winners/Honors. This is the true story about Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, a Syrian ambulance driver who, through his efforts of saving abandoned cats in Aleppo due to the devastation of the ongoing Syrian civil war, inspired people from across the world to donate enough so that children and many other types of animals in addition to the cats now benefit. This children's book compelled me to find out about the spices and food that Alaa loves so much, and to add to my 'books to be read' list the resources that artist Yuko Shimizu (2021 Caldecott Medal honoree) studied to get the illustrations just right. More can be found on social media about Alaa. Worth the search and deeper study - all from this biographical children's book about this truly compassionate man!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in work, I can't be crying like this!

Ah. There's nothing quite like a really good picture book to get you where it hurts, is there? When Syria fell into civil war, an ambulance driver stayed behind when most people fled. As the city emptied of people, he noticed the cats that were left behind. He couldn't bear to see them starve, so he spent his meagre wages on food for them, becoming known as the Cat Man of Aleppo.

This is a wonderful book. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is a wonderful example of one person's actions having a huge effect. This is a book to come back to again and again, to read with children or alone. And maybe to donate to the cause...

[Milton Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alaa's once-vibrant neighborhood is left empty and ruined after the war. All that remains are the cats that were abandoned by owners in a rush to escape the violence and destruction. When Alaa notices the sadness and confusion on the cat's faces, he empathizes, and decides that he can do something--he can look after the cats. This is the inspiring story of Alaa, cats, and the war-torn city of Aleppo.

Find it today: https://ent.sharelibraries.info/clien...

Jayme A. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even as war raged in his beloved city of Aleppo, Alaa stayed to continue his work as an ambulance driver, caring for his people as others sought safety elsewhere. He began to notice an abundance of stray cats roaming the city, now homeless as their owners became refugees. His friends and family gone, big-hearted Alaa gave all his love to these cats. This book gives humanity to tragedy so often ignored. My hope for readers: if you empathize with these cats, may you have empathy for the humans who were forced to leave them behind.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

• 2021 Caldecott Honor Book •

The story overall is very touching and heartwarming. However, the text itself left me with various questions: who are the kids with him when he first buys the cats food? Are the cats neutered? And so on. The way the faces of the people were drawn made them look really creepy. There were some rough edges that needed to be polished.

Materials used: “The art for this book was first drawn with black ink on watercolor paper, then scanned in and colored using Adobe Photoshop.”

Typeface used: unlisted

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The inspiring true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War, created a safe haven for Aleppo's abandoned cats and other animals. A distinctviely written and illustrated story that wonderfully juxtaposes the destruction and grief of war with compassion, selflessness, and hope.