
Member Reviews

This picture book was so cute! The expressions on the cat's face had me rolling in laughter. That is one sassy cat. I think kids and parents alike will be delighted by this little book.

This story has very cute illustrations of a cat and a very cute story to go along with I. I definitely recommend reading it to your little one's.

In my son's words, "this is a good book!" We get a normal day in the life of a cat. Fiona shows us why she's more than just pretty.
Throughout the book, Fiona is showing us what she does that helps out those around her. She is an alarm clock, helps with the mice, reminds them of dinnertime, and plays with them. She is getting frustrated because they always just comment on her looks after she does things. She is quite sassy and my son really liked that aspect!
The illustrations are also very pretty! We really enjoyed this one and it did make us laugh-out-loud!
Many thanks to 4U2B Books & Media and Netgalley for an e-ARC. All thoughts an opinions are my own.

Fiona's people call her gorgeous, lovely, and cute, but why can't they see that she is also strong, fast, and compassionate! This is a great metaphor for how frustrating it can be to only be complemented on the way that you look.
As a parent of a preschooler who can't stand being called "cute" by everyone we pass, I cannot wait to add this book to our shelves.

Fiona is such a sweet, sassy kitty who knows she is very sweet and sassy! She also is very playful, and does the things kitties normally do, such as rolling the toilet paper off the roll!
The illustrations were quite adorable and depicted the normal life of a kitty. This book is perfect for a child who loves cats, or one who possibly wants one as a pet. In addition, it also shows the temperament, beauty, grace, and strength a ragdoll cat.
However, this book does show the not so good feelings that we as humans also feel putting them in a "cute" form. Despite being very sweet, pretty, and sassy, Fiona is also very intelligent. But her owners/family seem to only notice and appreciate her cuteness. From catching mice, to just doing anything a kitty normally does, But, Fiona wants to be noticed for more than just her beauty and playfulness. She wants to be known for her courage and strength, but her parents don't see it till her baby sister shouts it out at dinner.
Fiona and the Peculiar phase is perfect for younger girls, and even boys who may be feeling down in how they feel about their skills and strengths, as well as if they also love cats.

Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are truthful and my own.
A cute story about a cat who just wants her humans to validate her, but not her looks.
Fiona and the Peculiar Praise is a short story about a day in the life of Fiona. She eats breakfast, hunts for mice, plays with toys, and eats dinner, but everyone only mentions how she looks. Fiona doesn’t understand this when she does so many great things for her family every day!
This is a cute story, it speaks to the true nature of cats while also being a little silly and cute. I enjoyed it!

I loved the illustrations in this! An important message, but told from the perspective of a cat. I think this is such a good read for young people to learn about what kind of praise is meaningful!

A great one to read and discuss with my daughter about kind of praise is really meaningful! She loved the cute illustrations of Fiona and the mouse, and as a mom, I loved the message - especially for little girls. I would've loved a parallel in Fiona's little girl to really drive home the message. It gave us a great opening to discuss what character traits are really important. We loved Fiona!

Loved it! It is beautifully illustrated! It shows that you can be beautiful, and very accomplished.
Thank you Loyola Press & NetGalley. I received a complimentary ecopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.#FionaandthePeculiarPraise #NetGalley

I absolutely loved this little book. In a world where most of our classic children’s books are centralized on beauty and being noticed once we are pretty, teaching kids to find joy in other characteristics is very important! Teaching them that there is value in nurturing the areas where we can contribute to the world and maybe even leave it better asa result is great! The illustrations are super cute too :) Ps the sass is hilarious and “cute”!

What a great story - Queen Fiona gets praised for her looks, but she is also a smart, fast, and ferocious kitty! Sweet story and lovely illustrations mix perfectly together in this great picture book with a lesson for kids and grownups to look beyond the surface!
Thanks to NetGalley and 4U2B Books for the eARC!

Fiona and the Peculiar Praise by Rennie Dyball is a delightful and empowering story that all little girls (and cats!) need. With gorgeous illustrations that bring Fiona’s journey to life, this book delivers an important message: we are so much more than our outward appearance. Fiona longs to be recognized for her actions, intelligence, and accomplishments—just as many children do. It’s a gentle yet powerful reminder for parents to celebrate their children’s strengths beyond looks. Fiona’s story is one that everyone can benefit from, making this a must-read for families.

Cute and lighthearted, with adorable art. This book reminds young readers not to judge others by their looks. By focusing on looks, you undervalue others and miss out on the real substance of the individual.
A good moral lesson wrapped in a cute package.

I absolutely love the art in this book! Fiona is a super sweet white fluffy kitty, who is constantly praised on her looks. But she knows her worth and just wants to be recognized for the smart, brave, silly kittty she is. This is such a lovely short story for young girls and boys, especially animal and cat lovers!
Thank you NetGalley for an earc of this book in exchange for an honest review

My daughter and I absolutely adored this book together! Just so cute! A really fun read and had so many cute conversations to follow after. Loved it.

Whether you are a cat, a child, or an adult, you likely feel misunderstood at times. This cute (sorry Fiona, I mean didactic) book is a great tool to use to help foster conversations about what a child might be seeking in a compliment or with their actions. In addition to that, it is also a beautifully illustrated fun story that children can enjoy reading and having read to them.

This was such a sweet little book about a cat named Fiona. I loved that she wanted credit for all her hard work besides looking cute. This will send a great message to young readers about defining their own self worth. Will recommend!

This had incredible illustrations and I did love the characters. I do think it took a little long to get the main point across but I did appreciate the lesson at the end!

Thank you 4U2B Books & Media and NetGalley for the digital arc.
The illustrations really make this book stand out. A great message about actions being more important than looks.

As someone who tutors and babysits kids, I can assure you that having books to read to them or to read with them is always an incredibly useful resource! That's why I was excited to pick up "Fiona and the Peculiar Praise." This delightful children's book is a gem that any young reader (especially cat lovers!) will adore.
Fiona is not your average cat; she’s sassy, smart, and a bit pampered. The story follows her hilarious antics as she grapples with the fact that no one seems to notice her amazing personality or brave deeds—everyone just compliments her looks! But don’t worry, Fiona's journey takes a heartwarming turn when her human sister finally recognizes her true value. This message is so important for kids, teaching them that who they are and what they achieve matters way more than just appearances.
The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning! They really bring Fiona’s character to life—playful, expressive, and full of charm. The overall vibe of the book is sweet and wholesome, making it a perfect read to spark conversations about self-worth and recognition.
I love how this story opens up discussions about the differences between superficial compliments and genuine praise for someone's abilities and character. My little ones really enjoyed it, especially when we talked about how Fiona felt being praised for her looks versus her actions. It’s such an engaging way to convey a meaningful life lesson that young children will understand.
Overall, "Fiona and the Peculiar Praise" is a must-read that not only entertains but also educates. I highly recommend it to families and classrooms! After reading this delightful book, it’s impossible not to feel uplifted and inspired. So, if you're looking for a sweet pick-me-up, grab this book and enjoy it with the little ones in your life—you won’t regret it!