Mittens the kitten loves to prank, but Nessie has been there, done that and is much too clever. When Mittens wants to know why he can never get Nessie, she tells him about all the adventures she's had. Her story is accompanied by some lively, detailed illustrations that kids will enjoy.

The concept is great, but the story and word choices are occasionally sacrificed in service of the rhyming structure. As a result, some lines can trip a reader up when the meter suddenly changes or an odd phrasing is used. Also, the poem is quite long for the usual age group for picture books. Each page has at least 8 full lines of text and pre-K kids may struggle to stay engaged that long. This may be more appropriate for early grades.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

I guess it's fun to see such a long poem – quite well-sustained, at that – about a cat's marvellous adventures as told to the feisty kitten who wants to get one-up on her. The illustrations are perfectly reasonable, too – it's just the book didn't quite deliver, lacking a little oomph, a sparkle, a bit of what the cameoing Napoleon would call a je-ne-sais-quoi. If it's really about what the blurb says it is – the comforts of the least remarkable situation being the most memorable – then that can almost feel tacked on, and it didn't really come across when reading that that was the point. Certainly pleasant enough to explore at least once, I can't see this as a perennial choice.

*I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Too cute!

This is a great kid's book with perfect rhymes. I can definitely see this being a series. It was fun to see Nessie and Mitten interact. The illustrations are lovely and work great here. I only wish we got a few more filler pages!

City Kitties is a rhyming picture book with charming images about a seasoned cat and a young kitten. The older cat is sharing tales of her adventures with the younger cat, who can't believe any one cat has had so many adventures.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ness House Press for a free digital copy.

A humorous rhyming tale of two kitties. One wise in the ways of the world, and one a kitten trying to figure it out. The wise kitty has lived many lives spanning generations and tells the younger kitten of every adventure. And it's a lesson in what you can do in your dreams.

Cute but ended a little abruptly for my taste.

City Kitties is about a well-traveled cat reminiscing on its adventures with a younger kitten. I loved the writing and the rhyme scheme in this - it made the story flow very well. The illustrations were lovely, too!

Princess Fuzzypants here: If I had a little one for whom I wanted to buy a present, I know which book I would choose. This is a delightful and sweet story about two kitties, one an experienced Siamese named Nessie and the other a prankish black kitten.named Mittens. Mittens tries to catch Nessie off guard but every time the older cat evades whatever trick Mittens is attempting.

Finally Mittens asks Nessie why this is so and is told that Nessie has seen it all. Now Mittens is curious and what follows is the tales of her various adventures through the ages from Egypt to France to Britain, hobnobbing with many famous characters. It is done in simple rhymes that could be read by an adult or by a child. Nessie teaches Mittens to use each of her nine lives to the utmost and says if Mittens will stop trying to play tricks, she can come along for the next adventures since Nessie has only used seven of her lives.

The stories and the artwork are enchanting. Fine thing that the book will come out in December. It is purrfect for gift giving. Five purrs and two paws up.