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Big Cat Pepper
Big Cat Pepper has always been a part of the family. But he seems to be sleeping more and more. And then one day he just doesn't wake up again. "His spirit lives forever," the boy's mother tells him gently. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, the complex issue of death for young readers is addressed here in a loving, accessible way.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 1, 2020
"Mama, me and Pepper, / always been this way. / Never been without him, / even for a day." So begins the rhyming text of Elizabeth Partridge's picture-book about a young boy who confronts the reality of death, when he loses his beloved cat, Pepper. Introducing the affectionate rhythm of their life together - the boy looks for Pepper after school every day, shaking a bag of kibble if he can't find him - the narrative soon moves on to the warning signs of death - Pepper's withdrawal, his lack of interest in food or play. The death itself, the funeral in the backyard, and the boy's subsequent grief, and feelings of emptiness, come next. Eventually, the boy comes to terms with his loss, feeling a connection to Pepper's "spirit" in the natural world around him...
A lovely little book, one that addresses a difficult but important topic with sensitivity, Big Cat Pepper features charming mixed media illustrations by Lauren Castillo. The fun-loving play of boy and cat, the tender concern shown by the boy for his seemingly ill pet, and the melancholy of loss, are all captured in the expressive artwork. I appreciated the fact that the family depicted is "non-traditional" - just mom, boy and cat - and that they are (most likely) Latino. This last is particularly appealing, as so many of the classic "loss of a pet" books for children - The Tenth Good Thing About Barney , or I'll Always Love You - feature characters of European descent. Why doesn't it merit four stars, then, and why wouldn't I class it with those other books? Sadly, I think Partridge's rhyming scheme is rather clunky, and just doesn't read that well. The story idea is good, the emotional register rings true, and the illustrations are appealing. If you don't mind the rhyme, then this might be the book you're looking for.
A lovely little book, one that addresses a difficult but important topic with sensitivity, Big Cat Pepper features charming mixed media illustrations by Lauren Castillo. The fun-loving play of boy and cat, the tender concern shown by the boy for his seemingly ill pet, and the melancholy of loss, are all captured in the expressive artwork. I appreciated the fact that the family depicted is "non-traditional" - just mom, boy and cat - and that they are (most likely) Latino. This last is particularly appealing, as so many of the classic "loss of a pet" books for children - The Tenth Good Thing About Barney , or I'll Always Love You - feature characters of European descent. Why doesn't it merit four stars, then, and why wouldn't I class it with those other books? Sadly, I think Partridge's rhyming scheme is rather clunky, and just doesn't read that well. The story idea is good, the emotional register rings true, and the illustrations are appealing. If you don't mind the rhyme, then this might be the book you're looking for.
November 4, 2015
This book is very touching and perfect for any child (or adult) who has loved and lost a special cat in their life.
October 9, 2022
Genre: Realistic fiction
Grades 2-3
When I grabbed this book from the shelf I did not expect it to be about a pet loss, but it really was well done. This story would be a comfort to children who have just lost a pet. I also like how this book includes the representation of Hispanics. This book portrays the character going through the grieving of his pet which again would be a very helpful book to those who just lost a pet or even those who have pets.
Grades 2-3
When I grabbed this book from the shelf I did not expect it to be about a pet loss, but it really was well done. This story would be a comfort to children who have just lost a pet. I also like how this book includes the representation of Hispanics. This book portrays the character going through the grieving of his pet which again would be a very helpful book to those who just lost a pet or even those who have pets.
November 13, 2017
A great book for children who just lost a pet. I love how the author ends the book. This book also shows great use of rhyming words. Love the message and the pictures.
Grade level: 2-3
Genre: poetry/ contemmperaty realistic
Grade level: 2-3
Genre: poetry/ contemmperaty realistic
October 11, 2022
Sweet story for a child dealing with a loss of pet, and how to overcome the feeling of loss. Leaves hope that spirits live on in our hearts.
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March 27, 2025This definitely made me tear up. Pepper 3
June 19, 2025
This book made me cry 😭
September 16, 2025
Get prepared to cry with this one. A touching story that deals with the death of a pet and how kiddos work through the grief. Very heartfelt.
May 22, 2009
One of the best books I've read on the death of a cat, right up there with The Tenth Good Thing About Barney and Cat Heaven. I love the beautiful, detailed artwork showing a young boy and his mother living with their big grey cat Pepper who's always been there. Gradually Pepper gets old and doesn't want to play or eat. The little boy asks his mom: "Is he gonna die, Mama/is he gonna die?/Mama said she thought so,/cry, oh cry." Heartbreaking. Pepper dies and they bury him in the flower bed. I love how the boy asks if he will be afraid buried in the dirt and the mother says no, "His spirit is forever---it can fly, fly, fly." I love how the boy is realistically sad for a long time, but over time he does begin to feel better and senses Pepper's presence in the grass and breeze around him. (And they do not get a new cat at the end of the book.) This book probably spoke to me more strongly since my cat Tamsin died in February, but it's a beautiful book to recommend to parents facing this situation.
June 13, 2009
This is the story about a boy and his cat Pepper. Pepper has been a part of the family for a long time and one day he dies from old age. The little boy learns to grieve and is able to make peace with the fact that his cat is no longer living.
I don't generally like stories about animal dying but this story was well done. The minimal text written in rhyme helps move the story along without saying too much. Rather than illustrating the boy’s closure in the last few pages the whole second portion of the book is devoted to how he deals with the loss of his cat. I appreciated that because it can take time for children to get over the loss of something. The book is a little sappy at times but not in a way that seems corny or overdone.
I also love that the illustrator chose to depict a Hispanic family in this book!
A great choice for one-on-one sharing, patrons looking for a gentle picture book on grief and loosing pets.
I don't generally like stories about animal dying but this story was well done. The minimal text written in rhyme helps move the story along without saying too much. Rather than illustrating the boy’s closure in the last few pages the whole second portion of the book is devoted to how he deals with the loss of his cat. I appreciated that because it can take time for children to get over the loss of something. The book is a little sappy at times but not in a way that seems corny or overdone.
I also love that the illustrator chose to depict a Hispanic family in this book!
A great choice for one-on-one sharing, patrons looking for a gentle picture book on grief and loosing pets.
June 2, 2009
So simply told, this is a beautiful story about a child losing the cat who has always been a part of his life. The cat has just gotten to the end of his life. The emotions that follow--"heart shut tight," "so full-up with sadness, I think I'm gonna burst"--are real and deep. I recommend this book for anyone. It would be a good story to read with a child BEFORE a child loses a pet. It is a must to read with a child after.
May 10, 2009
I just cried this book was very sweet and a very good book on death. It just told the story of a cat getting old and tired and dying. I like that the end of the book was not getting a new kitten making it all better but this let the boy grieve. Like I said tears. Ages 4+
November 10, 2009
I wish I'd pre-read this before reading it to my son because Big Cat Pepper dies in it and there was a lot of reassurance needed for him afterwards. It's nicely illustrated and would work well for being in that situation of losing a beloved pet probably.
July 22, 2011
One of the better books about the death of a pet (cat) that I've come across. Not too fond of the illustrations, but the text is nice. I like how the author takes us through the grieving process and unlike other books, there is no "replacement" at the end - just memories.
December 17, 2011
This is a poem, dealing with the loss of a family pet. It was a good book and really ends on a happy note. The death of a pet is something that will probably happen a lot being a teacher, this is a book to help children cope with that.
July 24, 2019
Lovely picture book about a boy and his cat. We follow the boy's inner thoughts regarding his best friend. But, Pepper gets sick and the boy is heartbroken. This is a gently story about grief and ultimately acceptance. Good for kids who have lost a dear pet.
July 29, 2014
A book about the passing of a beloved animal/pet. Well written. Always makes me tear up when I read it. I can also recommend Old Pig by Margaret Wild as another story about a beloved animal/grandmother passing on. That one makes me tear up as well.
March 14, 2015
My eight-year-old son and I stood in the library reading this together as we cried. How did I happen upon this book on the day my sick cat has taken a major turn for worst? This is a simple story to help little ones with the loss of a beloved pet.
January 6, 2017
A gentle book about grief, written in verse, about a family that loses a cat. "Will he be afraid, Mama, way down deep? No, sugar, no, I'll tell you why. His spirit is forever--it can fly, fly, fly."
June 26, 2009
About the death of a pet cat...
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July 29, 2009about the loss of an animal
July 31, 2009
Really good picture book about a cat who grows old and dies, and how the cat's human kid deals with it. Good for grieving children.
August 1, 2009
An ok story to give to a family who's lost a pet - Pepper doesn't go to Heaven, but his spirit flies free and he's always in the boy's heart. The rhyme clunks. Serviceable.
July 3, 2010
Esme made me read it a 100,000 times, so now I have it memorized. I'll give it an OK. Kinda cute, kinda weird too.
April 4, 2011
Talks about the pet's spirit being in nature all around us.
November 17, 2011
My favorite things about the book were the brown-skinned family made up of a boy, his mother, and their cat, and the feeling connected to gone family in the wind blowing.
June 12, 2013
This is a book about the death of a pet, and how it's ok to grieve and there is no set timetable for grief.
March 20, 2014
A great book for a child that is dealing with the loss of a pet.
April 12, 2014
Seems a bit odd to have rhyming text for a story about a beloved pet's death, but it mostly works here.
November 8, 2015
Picture books for preschoolers should come with warning or subtitles when the plot consists of the family pet becoming ill, dying, and getting buried in the backyard.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews