Usher, Sam. Wild. Sam Usher, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick /Templar, 12/2021. [36]pp. $17.99. 978-1-5362-2000-1. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-2.
In this sequel to Free (2021), a boy and his grandfather are back with another story involving an animal. This time, they take care of a cat for a friend and soon realize the cat will only do what she wants to do; as Granddad says, “Cats have a mind of their own.” The boy tries to play, feed, or nap with the cat, who escapes out the window, and the duo must chase after her. The charming story is illustrated with cartoonish artwork using thin ink outlines and watercolors on white backgrounds, showing the duo as white. This imaginative story reinforces positive pet care habits.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool