The Cat Who Lived with Anne Frank by David Lee Miller and Steven Jay Rubin - OPTIONAL

The Cat who Lived with Anne Frank by David Lee Miller and Steven Jay Rubin, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley.  PICTURE BOOK Philomel Books (Penguin), 2019.  $18  9781524741501  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Mouschi is a black cat that goes into hiding with the Frank family during World War II.  This cat sees some of the things that happen to Peter and Anne Frank as well as the invasion of the Nazi’s.  Throughout the book, parts of Anne’s diary are quoted and it tells different problems or experiences they had in the Secret Annex.  As Mouschi goes out and around Amsterdam, he also sees other people who are trying to resist the Nazis.   

As the author’s note at the end explains, Anne Frank did have a black cat named Mouschi while she was in hiding.  The illustrations are well done and attractive and I liked the idea of getting a glimpse into Anne’s world.  I enjoyed the quotes from Anne’s diary and the mentioning of other stories like Anne’s.  Overall, in order to fully appreciate the book the reader would need to know the story of Anne Frank.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson