Ethan and the Strays

by John Sullivan, Hatem Aly (Illustrations)

From the award-winning author of Kitten and the Night Watchman comes a heartwarming picture book about a young boy who finds joy in rescuing and caring for stray cats.

On the way to school, Ethan notices some stray kittens in the alleyway. He wants to look after them, but his dad has a strict no-pet policy. Still, with the help of his older brother, Ethan does what he can to rescue the kittens and realizes that caring for something else can bring great joy. This hopeful story is based on the author’s real-life experiences rescuing stray animals.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Pets, Childrens, Animals, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.

Reviews

[Sarah]

After Ethan sees stray cats on his way to school, he can’t stop thinking about them. His big brother reminds him that their dad won’t allow pets, and anyway, these cats are not pets. But Ethan can’t help but visit them every day, name them, and worry about them when the weather changes. Will they be warm? What will they eat?

Ethan and his brother head to the library to research what they can do to help the cats through the winter, making winter shelters for them and learning about the amazing trap-neuter-return service the animal clinic does. Ethan learns that this is the best way to make sure there are not more homeless cats added to the neighborhood, and is a safe way to make sure all the cats get the vaccines they need to stay healthy and make sure other cats stay healthy too. After Ethan takes the cats back to their homes, all healthy and ready for winter, he notices one cat seems to not want Ethan to leave.

This is such a heartwarming story with a fantastic message that’s important for all cat lovers and advocates of every age. I loved that this was a picture book with a purpose, a book that teaches the young what the animal community desperately needs human help with, with resources included in the back for caregivers and children to put what they learned into action.

[Jennie]

This is a child’s book about a little boy and his brother, who discover some kittens out in the cold weather. The youngest boy would like to take the kittens home, but his brother says that their father will say no. They visit the kittens every day on the way back and forth to school, and finally at the end of the book they ask their father if they could bring them into the house. Happy ending for all!

[Lauren Canaday Johnson]

Cute book about TNR. 🥰

[Peacegal]

When young Ethan discovers a small group of stray cats in the alleyway as he and his older brother walk to school, he is troubled. Where will the cats stay in bad weather? What will they eat? And what about the kitten who, unlike his more feral siblings, seeks human attention and seems to want to come home with Ethan?

With the help of his older brother and a local cat rescue organization, Ethan helps the cats, culminating in a heartwarming ending.

This is a wonderful, charming book with bright, eye-catching illustrations. It teaches young (and older!) readers about TNR, the work being done by vets and shelters, and the importance of having cats fixed to prevent more kittens from ending up without homes--and of course, what people can do if they encounter stray cats in their own neighborhoods. And this is all done within the context of telling a great story!

Make sure ETHAN AND THE STRAYS finds a home at your local public or school library.

[Kiera Beddes]

A sweet and tender story about a young boy who finds stray kittens in the city and does what he can to help them, with the aid of the trap-neuter-return program at a local shelter. There is no specific reference to the boy’s ethnicity or socioeconomic status, but he is depicted with brown skin and curly afro-like hair.

I really liked how informative this story was about how to help control the feral cat population. As the protagonist, Ethan helps readers channel their love of animals into helpful action. I especially liked how the story has the brothers make use of their community resources, like the local library and animal shelter. This book could be a great way to introduce community needs and resources available to students who might be unaware that they exist.

[Roben]

Ethan finds three stray kittens. He sees them every day as he is walking to school with his older brother, Sam. Sam reminds Ethan not to get attached - their dad has said no pets. But Ethan feeds the kittens. And worries about them.
The local animal shelter helps Ethan and Sam figure out the best way to take care of the strays - Trap, Neuter, Return

But will Ethan's dad say yes to a pet?

In addition to being a sweet story, it is also informational. There are resources in the back along with author's note. I really liked how supportive the older brother was of Ethan's interest in taking care of the kittens. He was practical but also helpful.

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase]]

Ethan and the Strays teaches children about trap and release programs offered by some Animal Clinics. Ethan, a young boy, looks after three stray kittens. He and his older sister help trap them so they can be neutered and then released. Meanwhile Ethan wants a pet cat and that hope is finally fulfilled at the end.

The topic of neutering may be hard for young readers to understand especially if they’ve never been exposed to it before. Reading this with a parent to help answer questions would help.

Thank you Simon Kids for gifting me a copy to review.

[Barbra]

When Ethan and his brother spot three stray cats on the way to school he starts to worry about them being cold and hungry. After spotting a sign at the animal clinic they decide to trap and take them for neutering. When the cats receive a clean bill of health they take them back to the street they found them on and give them outdoor shelters. Sadly, Ethan says goodbye, but one cat returns for cuddles. This is the one Ethan’s dad says yes to. An informative and heartwarming story about compassion, caring and kindness.

[Thomas Bell]

I liked this book. Though I am quite sure that around here (rural Virginia), if you want to spay or neuter a wild cat at a local vet, you're going to have to pay for it yourself.

I did find it a little odd that the older sibling kept saying how Dad probably won't let them have it and all that, and then they just had it. I guess Dad said yes? I feel like that was a huge gap in the story.

Nonetheless, this was a very cute book.

[Jill Elizabeth]

I have given 5 stars to all three of John Sullivan's picture books so far and, you know what, as long as he keeps writing beautiful stories that make me cry happy tears, I'm gonna give everything he writes 5 stars. This book had everything I could want in a story about stray cats. I am so pleased with this positive representation of TNR, and I love how gentle and kind Ethan is with the kitties. I loved this so much that I immediately re-read it.

[Caroline]

Listen, if you've followed my rules you know that I will read any picture book with cats. Is it a picture book? Does it have cats? I'm going to read it.

I liked this book for its stray cat spin, and for the practical advice it gives to help stray cats. The illustrations are very appealing and the, brief, characterization is good. I also like the, again brief, development of family roles.

[Ellon]

4 stars (I really liked it)

It's about kittens! What's not to love?!?

I liked how the book told about how TNR works and other ways to support stray kitties.

It was cute how Ethan got to take one of the kitties home at the end but I was slightly sad about the three being separated

[Catarina]

ETHAN AND HIS NEW FRIEND!!!! This was a wonderful book about stray cats and the trap, neuter, return program many clinics and cities participate in and it was wonderful. Literally, the only thing that would’ve made this an absolute perfect children’s book is if the illustrations would have reflected stray cats that get neuter and returned have tipped ears. I loved this book so much.

[Colleen]

Neutering is rather an odd subject for a book, but this one does a really good job of explaining it. The pictures are bright and colorful and kids will relate to the desire for a pet. The book feels a little like a short and focused less and would benefit from some fleshing out - like inclusion of the children's dad.

[Catherine]

As a perpetual cat/kitten/animal rescuer... For years... whether or not I wanted to be; I whole heartily 💯% recommend this book! Help the children to learn at a young age and end the generational trend of discarding & utter lack of responsibility that afflicts way too many! Sorry but not so sorry.

[Teresa McKillop]

What a fantastic book! I will read this during story time at the library when I teach kids about community cats, small acts of kindness and ways to make a difference. Our county has a free TNVR program and this book will surely give families confidence in stepping up to help cats in their neighborhood. A beautiful story!

[Gabrielle Stoller]

Just as I enjoying seeing diverse picture books with people, I like highlight animals that are diverse as well. Like stray pets. And about the trap, neuter, return initiatives. And about adopting a stray. Like it's just so sweet!

[Edward Sullivan]

He wants to look after stray kittens he notices in the alleyway, but his dad has a strict no-pet policy. Still, with the help of his older brother, Ethan does what he can to rescue the kittens and realizes the joy of caring for them.

[Em]

What a great book! An engaging story that also gives great information and spreads awareness about TNR programs. We got this one from the Library but I will likely purchase a copy so we can read it regularly.

[Stacy Natal]

A story about a boy and his sister that find three stray cats and help them by setting up winter shelters and getting them neutered through a trap and release program. The neuter part went above the heads of my readers.

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers]

So sweet. Gave my heart a squeeze.

[Lucy Kirby]

A wonderful picture book introduction to cat rescue and Trap Neuter Return.

[Mackenzie]

What a wonderful little story. I love how it encourages neuter and return. Not every household can or should adopt strays, but we can do our part to help them out.

[Alyssa Mandell]

I'm conflicted with this one. Overall it is a good story about a young boy that wants to help stray cats. However, I don't want to encourage kids to get crates and trap stray cats on their own.

[Jessica]

Disjointed. Twice I was sure I had missed a page.

[wildct2003]

Good book. Illustrator did not show ear tipping after the vet visit.

[Angela]

I greatly appreciate the blend of fiction and mission-driven non-fiction, especially in regard to ASPCA education and volunteerism. Much ore than just a kid-wants-a-pet story.

[Cara]

A sweet story about a boy who has compassion for homeless cats. Great for kids interested in animal adoption!

[K]

we LOVE the cat distribution system.

[Michelle]

Great book that teaches kid about feral cats and how to help them. Cute art.