First published 2016
Olivia watches Francine's cat perform amazing tricks and decides Edwin should learn to do the same. She begins training sessions with her pet, expecting quick results. Edwin proves less cooperative than Olivia hoped. The cat refuses to follow commands or master simple tricks. Olivia grows frustrated as her training efforts fail repeatedly. She discovers that cats have their own personalities and cannot be forced to perform like circus animals. Through her struggles with Edwin, Olivia learns patience and accepts her pet exactly as he is. The story explores the bond between children and their animals while showing how expectations can clash with reality.
Genres: fiction, animals, family-life, adventure, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, slice-of-life
Hardcover · Simon & Schuster