HAT CAT

An elderly man tries to keep a stray cat away from the squirrels he feeds.

Every day, while standing on his back deck, an old White man feeds squirrels by placing peanuts atop his flannel hat. One day he discovers a small surprise hiding under his hat—a small and fluffy stray cat. The man names him Hat, doting on his new pet by feeding, stroking, and talking to him. The man lets Hat do whatever he wants—with one exception. Fearing Hat might run away, chase his squirrels, or worse, the old man shuts the back door tightly when going outside to feed the squirrels. Hat watches, longingly, from inside. After the old man disappears, Hat is alone for days. A Black family arrives to feed, rub, and talk to Hat until the day he finally spies the back door open and makes a run for the deck where the squirrels wait. Outside at last, what will Hat do? This gentle tale of a kindly old man who dotes on squirrels and his kitten is moving in its simplicity. Rendered in soft color washes, the realistic illustrations create a quiet atmosphere. The body language and facial expressions of the old man and his cat reveal their deep, mutual affection. Scenes of woebegone Hat waiting alone or sadly curled into a ball in the old man’s hat speak volumes.

A sweet peek at the bond between a man and his cat.