Chi’s Sweet Home

Chi’s Sweet Home by Konami Konata              Paperback: 168 pages             

I love this poor little lost kitten.    Konami Konata really captures the true identity of kittens.    Such soulful expressions – it is all in the eyes and she must have had a lot of cats in her life, because she has their body language and behaviors down to an art form – thus her Chi’s Sweet Home series and other graphic novels about cats and pets.    The poor kitten is so happy walking along with its Mommie and Siblings when Chi got distracted and ends up getting lost from her family.    It is heart wrenching when she cries for her Mommie and she has tears in her eyes that run down her face because she is so scared and sad.   Poor Baby!   I just want to scoop her up and help her find her family which is exactly what a little boy name Yoshei Yamada does.   He, too, feels sorry for her so he comforts her and takes her to his house.   His parents feel sorry for the lost kitten but pets aren’t allowed in the apartment building and the landlady lives on the premises.   Yoshei’s Dad goes out to pick up some food and treats for the poor little lost kitten, while Yoshei’s Mother tries calling around to their friends and family to see if anyone is willing to take in the kitten.   No luck, no one will take her, so Yoshei’s parents decide to keep her for now until they can find someone to give her a home.   Yoshie’s Dad buys cat toys and a litter box, food, treats, milk and comes home to try to entice Chi with it all.    At first Chi isn’t having any of it – what is going on?   She wants out the door to try and find her mother and she starts crying for her mother.  It is so sad to think of how lonely and stressed this poor baby is and all she wants is her Mommie.    It shows Chi thinking about her Mommie loving her, cuddling her, washing her and Chi lays down face first on the floor and cries.   God bless her, I love this little cat already.   Lots happens some funny as Chi learns she is not supposed to deposit urine nor poop in unacceptable places – that part is pretty funny and so true of newbie baby cats.   So it does have its hilarious moments but not when Yoshei’s Dad decides to take her to the vet to be sure she is healthy – gads!  Anal thermometer!    After that Chi decides, “she hates Daddy.”    I have to side with Chi on that one.    No warning, no lubricant just WHAMMO!   The look on her face says it all as she screams in fear and pain.    After that – forget about it – “Daddy” is not her friend.    She runs from him and when he tries to butter her up by treating her to yummy milk, she scratches him when he tries to pet her and she refuses to let him touch her.    It is sweet, endearing, very sad sometimes, empathy overflowing here, seriously, wickedly funny many times.    I loved this book.    I was so hoping she would bolt out the door, holler real loud and her mother would hear her and come for her.    And yes, when your read the bubble over Chi’s head stating her thoughts, it is too adorable.   I loved, loved, loved this book.    Cat lovers unite!   I may just have to get a Chi t-shirt before this is all over.     I found out there is a whole series of Chi’s Sweet Home books and this is only the first one in the series.   I’m invested in this dear little cartoon cat, now.   Hugs for Chi and for Konami Konato for coming up with such a delightful idea for a book series.   I recommend this to all ages and especially to cat people and animal lovers.   Great stories to be found here of Chi’s adventures.  Loved it.