Powell-Tuck, Maudie. FrankenKitty. Mini Grey, Illus. Tiger Tales, 07/2026. [24]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6643-0097-2. GRADES Kindergarten–1. ADDITIONAL.
Reminiscent of Frankenstein, this blended kitty is “woken up” by an electrical jolt, on the inventor’s table, and is immediately blamed for all kinds of problems that then happen all over the spooky castle. Tossed out into the snow, the problems go away, but FrankenKitty is sad and brought back in by a young, white girl, who then cares for and loves FrankenKitty, who now seems gentle and much less troublesome. Spooky digital illustrations with dark backgrounds and vivid settings show a pinkish colored severed hand and foot as the castle’s resident narrators, who show readers the kitty and everything that goes wrong (and right).
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library