Composer Moshe Cotel loves the sounds of the city. One day while out walking he hears a new sound. “It was a small sound. It was a sad sound.” It was a kitten, which Moshe names Ketzel. Back home, Moshe composes while Ketzel listens. But when he enters a competition to write a 60-second composition, Moshe is stymied. “Impossible!” While Moshe stews, Ketzel prances across the keys. Moshe likes what he hears: “Your composition has a clear beginning, middle, and end, is full of heart, and takes exactly twenty-one seconds to play.” He enters it in the competition under the name Ketzel Cotel, titling it “Piece for Piano: Four Paws.” It earns a certificate of special mention. A charming picture book story based on true events further detailed in the author’s note tells how Ketzel’s piece went on to be performed in public, even earning a $19.72 royalty check (used to buy cat food). Warm watercolor illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to the story. (Ages 5–8)

A 2016 Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Award Winner

A kitten’s stroll down a keyboard leads to a celebrated one-minute composition in this charming portrait of a remarkable true friendship.

Moshe Cotel was a composer who lived in a noisy building on a noisy street in a noisy city. But Moshe didn’t mind. Everything he heard was music to his ears. One day, while out for a walk, he heard a small, sad sound that he’d never heard before. It was a tiny kitten! “Come on, little Ketzel,” Moshe said, “I will take you home and we will make beautiful music together.” And they did—in a most surprising way. Inspired by a true story, Lesléa Newman and Amy June Bates craft an engaging tale of a creative man and the beloved cat who brings unexpected sweet notes his way.