Book Descriptions
for Lost and Found Cat by Doug Kuntz, Amy Shrodes, and Sue Cornelison
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
When Sura and her five children fled Mosul, Iraq, in August 2015, they brought along their beloved cat, Kunkush, hiding him because they knew others would consider him an extravagance. But the family could not picture life without the long-haired white cat, so they smuggled him along in a basket as they made the dangerous journey by car, on foot, and in a small overloaded boat. Just when they reached safety, the frightened cat—unattended for a few moments—ran away. Months later, the family, now living in Norway, were reunited with Kunkush, thanks to an international effort to return the cat to its owners. A dramatic true story concludes with additional information and photos of the family, their cat, and other people who were involved, underscoring the need for compassion and humanitarian efforts in the current refugee crisis in the Middle East. (Ages 6-9)
CCBC Choices 2018. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2018. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
This heartwarming true story of one lost cat's journey to be reunited with his refugee family gently introduces children to a difficult topic and shows how ordinary people can help with compassion and hope.
When an Iraqi family is forced to flee their home, they can’t bear to leave their beloved cat, Kunkush, behind. So they carry him with them from Iraq to Greece, keeping their secret passenger hidden away.
But during the crowded boat crossing to Greece, his carrier breaks and the frightened cat runs from the chaos, disappearing. After an unsuccessful search, his family has to continue their journey, leaving brokenhearted.
A few days later, aid workers in Greece find the lost cat. Knowing how much his family has sacrificed already, they are desperate to reunite them. A worldwide community comes together to spread the word on the Internet and in the news media, and after several months the impossible happens—Kunkush’s family is found, and they finally get their happy ending in their new home.
This remarkable true story is told by the real people involved, with the full cooperation of Kunkush’s family.
“Bound to be a hit with cats and kids alike.” —People.com
When an Iraqi family is forced to flee their home, they can’t bear to leave their beloved cat, Kunkush, behind. So they carry him with them from Iraq to Greece, keeping their secret passenger hidden away.
But during the crowded boat crossing to Greece, his carrier breaks and the frightened cat runs from the chaos, disappearing. After an unsuccessful search, his family has to continue their journey, leaving brokenhearted.
A few days later, aid workers in Greece find the lost cat. Knowing how much his family has sacrificed already, they are desperate to reunite them. A worldwide community comes together to spread the word on the Internet and in the news media, and after several months the impossible happens—Kunkush’s family is found, and they finally get their happy ending in their new home.
This remarkable true story is told by the real people involved, with the full cooperation of Kunkush’s family.
“Bound to be a hit with cats and kids alike.” —People.com
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
