MY FRIEND MAY

A cat goes missing.

A young Indigenous child named Margaux and her kitty, May, have been best friends since Margaux was 6 years old. May generally stays close to home, and if she does wander off, she always returns at dinnertime. When May fails to show up one evening, Margaux and her family search everywhere—under the porch, behind the fence, on the roof—without any luck. May’s sudden absence coincides with another upheaval: Margaux’s Nitôsis (Auntie) is moving to the city. Back in the countryside, Margaux worries about May and misses her aunt; meanwhile, Nitôsis unpacks boxes in her new urban home. From down the hall, a tiny meow echoes from a box in the bathroom—the mystery of May’s disappearance is finally solved. Though Margaux’s concern for May is evident, this gentle narrative is low on drama but filled with real emotion. Flett’s (Cree-Métis) signature minimalist illustrations, which make use of rich colors and vivid textures, are a highlight, as is the thorough backmatter, which includes an author’s note, a Plains Cree glossary, and an explanation of the intricate system of family in Cree culture. Cat lovers—especially anyone who’s had a pet disappear, only to turn up in a most unexpected spot—and those interested in Cree language will particularly enjoy this sweet tale.

A quiet yet affectionate tribute to familial relationships of all stripes.