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Readers of our site know that I’ve been working my way through Patricia Polacco’s books this year. As I’ve noted in many of my reviews, I find some of her work to be pure genius, while others give me pause. Her autobiographical stories are often tender, vibrant, and full of soul. In contrast, some of the books she’s written about her brother tend to lean into a more edgy, bathroom-style humor that doesn’t resonate with me. All of the stories she tells about people from diverse backgrounds are rich and engaging invitations into the history and tradition of others. However, a few of her stories about diversity veer into progressive narratives that I do not wish to have in my library.
Mrs. Katz and Tush is one of the brilliant ones. Unlike most of the Polacco books I’ve read this year, which are autobiographical, this one is a standalone. Like her best books, it has lovable characters whom we get to know as they get to know each other.
When the story opens, we meet Larnell and his mother as they visit a lonely Jewish widow in their neighborhood. Hoping to cheer her, Larnell brings her a scrawny, tailless kitten—one that no one else wanted. Mrs. Katz accepts the gift on the condition that Larnell visit regularly to help care for their new furry friend, “Tush.” True to his word, Larnell returns again and again, and what begins as a simple act of kindness unfolds into something much deeper. Good to his word, Larnell visits Mrs. Katz every day and they end up sharing much more than a kitten as Mrs. Katz invites Larnell into her Jewish traditions and culture.
One of my favorite aspects of Polacco’s storytelling is how she creates characters who, though illustrated with flair and feeling, speak and act with tender authenticity. Their personalities are strong and distinct, their flaws and virtues presented without fanfare. In her best work, Polacco invites us to think of these characters as neighbors and friends.
I would recommend Mrs. Katz and Tush to animal lovers, to those already fond of Polacco’s work, and to readers seeking gentle, heartfelt stories that cross generational and cultural lines. It’s an especially thoughtful pick for anyone wishing to explore themes of friendship, remembrance, and belonging.