The Shy Little Kitten

by Cathleen Schurr, Gustaf Tenggren (Illustrator)

One beautiful day, a shy little kitten embarks on a journey filled with adventure! In the course of her wanderings, she meets an interesting and often amusing collection of fellow creatures. The Shy Little Kitten, with illustrations by the renowned Gustaf Tenggren.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Cats, Animals, Fiction, Classics, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1946

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

My nephew wanted an extra story today. He wanted to read an old favorite. So he brought me the shy little kitten. It was my first time reading it. I don't know, the kitten seemed more independent than shy to me. She made a lot of friends out in the world all on her own, so anyway.

It's a cute story and it's a classic along with the Pokey little puppy in the Golden Book series.

The nephew enjoyed the story. I think getting a puppy has popped his dreams of wanting a cat, which he can't have, so maybe the book is enough.

It's from the 40s.

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's just not my thing... I don't understand why the kitten is labelled shy when it heads out to explore the world while its siblings stay home, and, while I know it's wrong to compare novels such as this to other similar ones, I don't understand why the pokey little puppy got in trouble for running away and the shy little kitten didn't... Just screams discrimination to me... Might have to check spark notes for further analysis...

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 2 out of 5]

The enchanting mid century illustrations are the saving grace for this strange little story. The illustrations would make excellent wall paper for a children's room in a midcentury modern home...

Exactly why was a kitten eating a carrot at the end? And what was so funny about a bee stinging a frog? I don't think that was funny, I think it sounds painful. Plus, they all laughed at him, and then he laughed along, but I doubt he found it amusing. I think they were all stoned at the end, particularly that pig.

[Ainsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really liked this book because I had it since I was a baby and I really really like cats.

[Christine Reads]

A bop

[Anastasie · Rating 5 out of 5]

definitely a must-read for everyone

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was first able to read, I kept this book on hand at (nearly) all times. The first signs of destruction were the peeling of the spine, the next, the pages falling from inside, here and there, so only bits and pieces of the story remained. So I glued it back together, again...and again...and again...until my mom bought a two new copies. One kept hidden, and the other for me to carry around again. I feel terribly sorry for my mom, as she read it to me, listened to me read it out loud. I must've had one hundred books, but The Shy Little Kitten, The Poky Little Puppy, and the Frog and Toad Collections, were readily available in a basket in my room at all times.

This came to mind because when I went to my sister's house yesterday, I discovered MY COPY of The Shy Little Kitten!! My 42-year-old sister stole MY copy (the one in perfect condition) some time this year!! I was like, are you reading this???? And no, of course she did it to annoy me.

So, I now have in my possession, my very own copy of Cathleen Schurr's, "The Shy Little Kitten. Or, sadly, as I still call it (stubborn childhood names that never go away), "Shy Kit". As a young toddler, Jackson preferred "The Pokey Little Puppy," until he realized that cat's were more his thing, and not so much dogs.

I adore it.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the past few nights, my four-year-old son has been taking a few Little Golden Books to bed. I'm not really sure if it is because of the stories or the shiny gold spines. The Shy Little Kitten he seems especially fond of.

We have three cats in our house. Not one of them was shy little kitten. They all, however, were just as cute as the shy little kitten. I think the story might have been written around the adorable illustrations, but it still works. What is really great is not only is this book old enough for me to have read, it is also old enough for my parents to have read.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not like this book - the writing style is very outdated (published in 1946) and the 'shy little kitten' part makes me feel like the author is referring to girls in general, for some reason. But Kate seems to really enjoy it, so out it comes every night.

[Bean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Troy picked up this book at a yard sale, and when I got a hold of it, I read this book out loud to my kitten. We both seemed to enjoy it.

Strangely, I'm considering the illustration on the last page as a tattoo.

Yes, I'm a crazy cat lady.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey look, someone wrote a book about me!!

Okay, not really, buuuut...

This book is so stinking cute. <3 Me love it.

[Kollottaralschaden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this book out loud to my 15 year old girl cat. She seemed to like it almost as much as I did, can only recommend!

[Friend of Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot be damned, Logan likes any book with cute pictures of kittens or cats. And these are pretty darn cute. I find the plot dated and irritating to read, but Logan likes to "read" it to himself quite a bit.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised by what good condition this was in, compared to other books from my childhood. then I realized that it wasn't from my childhood, it was a recent copy given to the girls. Man, that 1946 artwork is odd.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only a read it twice book, not three times.

[Mya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story for younger kids.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Gustaf Tenggren's illustrations, they are simple and fun yet allow the emotions and personalities of the characters to shine through, not an easy feat when attributing human characteristics to animals! I love that this shy little kitten had an unexpected adventure, rather against her will, which resulted in a happy ending, and new friends!

[Tyler Piers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitten was for sure shy, he worked his life out in the end. I wish more people in North Las Vegas were shy. The corner of Tropical and Lamb is known as the “poop corner” those people aren’t so shy when they are letting it rip at 7 AM. Stay safe!

[Aly Engaged · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another childhood favorite

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute story with a sweet ending.

[Lorellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous vintage art and a sweet story. Tot wanted the kitten to be real, so she could pat.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casey's favorite book.

[ℓ◎♥℮ т☺ яεαḓ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic that I love to read to my grandson.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommender points out that shyness does not prevent kitten from having adventures... hmm....
---
Yep, that's exactly the point of it. Taking advantage of opportunities can lead to laughter and friendships. Very sweet.

[ella bortell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shy Little Kitten is a picture book that lets shy children know it is okay to be quiet and less social than others. Throughout the book, the shy kitten meets animals that she does not know, she is shy with them but they do not judge her for this and enjoy their time together. At the end of the story, the shy kitten has made many friends without needing to talk a lot.

This book will be added to my repertoire. I believe it is always important that children feel comfortable with themselves as they are. The shy kitten finds herself in a surprising situation where she is lost and decides to ask for help. Those that she asks are willing to help and do not mind her shy nature. Children must know they may need to get a bit out of their comfort zone, but that they do not have to change themselves to make friends.

In my field this book will be helpful for those with EF difficulties, especially when it comes to sociability, to know that they do not have to be over the top in order to make friends and be more sociable.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently obtained the 1946 "D" edition with this same cover art via eBay.

I find that far too many adults "poo poo" Little Golden Books and Junior Elf Books ... unless they have small children or grandchildren. We have neither, and I have recently renewed my acquaintance with these childhood favorites.

It's true, the tales are simple: in this case, the shy little kitten bravely leaves her littermates and makes new friends. This is a good lesson for small children about how to talk to new people. However, the main attraction is the beautiful illustrations by fine artist Gustaf Tenggren. He brings the simple tale to life with gorgeous paintings of the kitten, her littermates and mother, and the new animal friends she meets along the way.

Many modern-day artists have been greatly influenced by the illustrations found in Little Golden Books, and it is always worth having a look at them.

[Brittany Heck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable children's book. The story is about a small "shy" kitten who has an adventure. Without giving away the story, I am unsure that the kitten is actually shy. Actually, the more I reread the story in my head I think about how the kitten wondered away from her family and spent the day with animals she didn't know. I am certainly not the type of person who thinks this will encourage children to talk to strangers but it was just a thought I had. Anyway, this story falls in line with many of The Golden Books as far as illustrations go. The drawings are somewhat detailed and certainly not modern, which is something I like about all of their books. My daughter and I read this before bedtime. I always look for stories that have duller colors and a calmer story line. This story definitely fit that criteria for me and she enjoyed it.

[Magdelanye · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a little pile of books in the corner of my favorite bar in Barcelona was this one.I had forgotten the name...it was my very first book...but I never forgot the sense of identification I felt with that shy little kitten,whose curiousity took her so far.

I also remember the feelings evoked by especially the mole,who for some reason I found very disturbing, and that little black dog with the very pink mouth,scared me silly and was probably one of the reasons I wasted a lot of years being afraid of dogs.

That this book showed up again here seems unbelievable,but thinking about it, a real strong sign that yes, whatever doubts I have, I am on the right path.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this while waiting for a table at the Swedish restaurant yesterday; it was at the Swedish shop across the street. The illustrator, Gustaf Tenggren, is Swedish-American. Anyway, I'm a sucker for cat books and the illustration of the shy little kitten looked very much like my big shy cat. The story was...well, for kids, but I did like the illustrations, which look like watercolor. The kittens just look so fuzzy! lol

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an old classic, this story still proves its importance through its pages. I was a shy girl when I was little and used to do the things this little kitten does. That is why I love this story for I could connect to it. This is a lovely beginning read for those that are intimidated by others or reading in general. It really helps take the shyness away, and it even provides comprehension questions at the end too.