“An adopted rescue kitten faces a life-threatening illness in Sheedy’s picture book, a true story of recovery and resilience. Eight-week-old Shaw knows how fortunate he is to have found a loving home, understanding that many kittens spend their lives outdoors, vulnerable to the elements. Just as Shaw begins to win over the other resident felines and settle into his new life, a mysterious illness starts to take hold. Suddenly, Shaw feels much more fatigued and struggles to breathe, leading to a veterinary visit and a devastating diagnosis of a rare and potentially fatal form of feline coronavirus. Intensive treatment, frequent check-ups, and in-home medication follow before Shaw slowly regains his strength. After an arduous journey back to health, Shaw finally returns to the playful, happy life every kitten deserves. “I have a lot of catching up to do!” he exclaims. Sheedy recounts the kitten’s story in the first person, keeping the emotional stakes at the book’s core while delivering a narrative that feels accessible for young readers. Gutierrez’s illustrations blend watercolors and pencils to give the book a handmade charm, deftly capturing the vulnerability of a sick kitten and the warm comfort of a loving home. In addition to telling the story of one kitten’s recovery, the book celebrates the lifesaving work of animal rescuers, veterinarians, and devoted pet owners. This heartfelt, hand-painted picture book turns a pet’s medical crisis into an uplifting story of hope.”

“I read Tails of a Brave Kitten aloud during our pets unit and the discussion afterward ran twenty minutes over. The kids had so much to say about being brave and finding where you belong. The illustrations had them leaning out of their seats. An instant classroom favorite.”

“Growing Pains is the rare sequel that made my daughter laugh out loud on every page. Every "Stanley, no!" got a giggle, and then she very seriously explained to me that our cat Miso also hears no a lot. Sweet, funny, and so true to life with a cat.”

“Shaw's Story is the book I wish I'd had years ago. I volunteer with a cat rescue and I've seen FIP up close — this book tells that hard story with so much gentleness and hope. I keep a copy in our clinic waiting room and families ask about it constantly.”

“We read Shaw's Story the week before our own cat had surgery, and it changed everything about how our eight-year-old handled it. He told the vet, "Shaw was brave and Whiskers can be brave too." Thank you, Tammy, for giving kids words for the hard stuff.”

“I bought Stanley, No! for my grandson and ended up reading it to the whole crew at our Sunday dinner. Four kids, ages three to nine, all sat perfectly still. That has never happened before. The moment Stanley finds his forever home, my oldest whispered "he did it" — we were all a little teary.”

“Shaw's Story is the gentlest introduction to a hard topic I have ever found for young readers. Children leave it understanding that love sometimes means showing up when things are scary. Every elementary library should have it.”

“My daughter has never finished a book on her own — until Stanley, No! She read it twice in one weekend and now sleeps with it. Thank you for writing the book that made her a reader.”

“My class could not get enough of Stanley. The moment they found out he was a real cat, the questions never stopped — and neither did the requests to read it again. A beautiful way to talk about bravery and belonging.”