Jack, a mild-mannered cat, loves the library, but Ms. Fisher, the children's librarian, isn't a cat person. She repeatedly reminds Jack, "Cats are not allowed in the library." Still, he manages to sneak in. One day, she escorts him from the building and posts a "No Cats Allowed" sign on the front door. Soon he befriends Pascal, a boy who takes him inside. Learning to read, Pascal loves reading aloud to Jack, who reminds him of the cat he used to have. When Ms. Fisher finds them enjoying a book together, Pascal suggests that other children might like reading to Jack too. She relents, posting a "Read with Jack, the Library Cat" sign in the library. The story evokes quiet empathy for both the stray cat and the boy who misses his pet. An appended note explains how young readers benefit from reading aloud to animals, then suggests that children without pets might find read-to-an-animal opportunities at a local library or animal shelter. Illustrations in warm, gentle colors heighten the appeal of this pleasing picture book.

After he upends a book cart, will an orange feline ever again be welcomed into the library?"Jack [sneaks] through the doors of the library each morning." He accidentally knocks over the book cart after curling up on a shelf and dozing during storytime. So light-skinned Ms. Fisher, the librarian, who is "not a cat person," posts a sign to keep Jack out. Pascal, a new-to-the-area, brown-skinned boy with springy dark hair and red-framed glasses, accompanied by an aunt wearing a hijab, happily smuggles Jack in at every opportunity, finding clandestine nooks in which to read to the cat. When the librarian eventually discovers the guilty team, Pascal comes up with an idea that will keep everyone happy-giving Jack a job as a reading companion. The text is accessible and fun to read, with humorous phrases ("this was the last whisker"). Art with a water-pastel feeling shows a spacious, welcoming library full of diverse patrons. Jack's sweetly crooked mouth and round eyes are endearing, as is his obvious enchantment with the library. An author's note includes information about animals as reading buddies and a brief history of cats living in libraries. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Read it and purr. (Picture book. 4-8)