You Can't Rush a Cat

Dosi Cotroneo is a freelance writer living in Manotick, Ontario.

Jessica’s grandfather lives all by himself, and that can get pretty
lonely sometimes. Jessica is delighted when she arrives for a visit and
finds her grandfather sitting on his back step holding a little bowl of
milk. He is trying to get a little wild cat to come out from behind the
bushes and take a sip. Jessica begins to explain to her grandfather that
“you can’t rush a cat.”

Now the little cat has streaked into grandfather’s house and is
hiding in the basement. Grandfather puts out some cat food and more milk
in the hopes of finally catching a glimpse of this new little friend. A
very patient Jessica explains again and again to her grandfather that
“you can’t rush a cat.” On the last day of her visit, she sits on
the kitchen floor and waits and waits. Her patience finally pays off
when she gets to meet the elusive little cat. Now she can go home secure
in the knowledge that her grandfather has found a new friend and won’t
be lonely any more.

Bradford’s easy-to-follow text makes this cat tale the perfect
calming story to share with a young cat lover. Watts’s soft and
playful illustrations capture Jessica’s close relationship with her
grandfather. Highly recommended.