How Mr. Silver Stole the Show

by Kate Klise, M. Sarah Klise (Illustrations)

Everyone loves an underdog—especially when he’s a cat!

On a rainy morning in 1947, a small gray kitten wandered into the Hamilton Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, two days before the Greater St. Louis Cat Club Show.

A stray kitten. A fancy hotel. A serious contest for pedigreed cats. What could possibly go right?

Curl up with this heartwarming story based on a real-life stray cat who made international headlines just by showing up, being himself, and finding a little kindness. . .

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Cats, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Catherine "Kate" Klise is an American author of children's literature. Many of her books are illustrated by her sister, M. Sarah Klise. Their popular Regarding series is presented in a scrapbook style format, with letters, journal entries, and related ephemera telling the story. She is also known for her picture books as well as the bestselling 43 Old Cemetery Road series. Kate Klise's first adult novel, In the Bag, was released in 2012.

Reviews

[Joel Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated, fascinating true tale (tail?) of a stray cat defying the odds! Especially love the author’s note at the end.

[Jackson Twait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Banger

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that the picture book format is so well suited to telling a factual story. There are so many great picture books that take an overlooked piece of history and spin a yarn around it. This is a case in point, a story about how a stray cat won two blue ribbons at a cat show in a fancy hotel. The author and illustrator are sisters! The final two paragraphs of the author's note are delightful:
"It is the job of adults to make and change laws, but I think it's young people who change the culture. Children, like my fictional Louise and real-life you, are often able to see the world not as it is but as it should be.
Furry friends help, too. The year after the contest that inspired this story, Mr. Silver entered again and won six awards, including two first prizes, at the 1948 Greater St. Louis Cat Club Show. Hope sometimes comes on little cat feet."

[Zan Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a rainy morning in 1947, a small gray kitten wandered into the Hamilton Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, two days before the Greater St. Louis Cat Club Show. A stray kitten. A fancy hotel. A serious contest for pedigreed cats. What could possibly go right? Curl up with this heartwarming story based on a real-life stray cat who made international headlines just by showing up, being himself, and finding a little kindness."--

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Silver doesn't need a pedigree to be the most charming cat at the show-- he's got purrsonality! Based loosely on the story of a real cat in 1947, How Mr. Silver Stole the Show is an adorable underdog (or rather, cat) tale that readers of all ages will appreciate.

[Aubrey Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who needs a reminder that "hope sometimes comes on little cat feet." This one is for the cat lovers, and the heart-warming story lovers, and the incredible illustration lovers. Fantastic!

[Maris Mckinstry · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 4 year old book review “I love cats and I love this book” lol

Super cute story and illustrations also based on a true story.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!!! Great story that is based on a true story. Great art. They even have a picture of the real kitten from around 1943!