I found that the writers laid much more emphasis on the message of the story than on the actual plot or the characters, which was for me off-putting. I prefer a more subtle style and I believe that children also understand the message even if it's less obvious.

Who would have thought a kids' book about a cat and the Heidelberg catechism could be so cute? The illustration is precious and the content is woefully enriching. I am just in love with this book and look forward to many more nights of reading this with my kindergarten age girls.

Thank you NetGalley and Crossway for an Advance Readers Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Introduce kids to the Heidelberg Catechism with this book about a conversation a girl named Sophie has with her neighbors' talking cat. After having a fight with her sister, Sophie is feeling terrible and the cat shares with her the truth of the gospel. He tells her that there is no one who can be good all the time; except Jesus. Because Jesus was sinless, He could pay for our sins by dying on the cross. He bought us with His blood and now we have hope in Him. He is our Master and we our not our own. He will watch over us and help us to make good choices and someday we will live in Heaven with Him.

If your not a Christian believer, you might find this book a bit too Biblical for you. I however found it fits a niche adults sometimes overlook. Imagination in story telling. A talking cat who takes Sophie, who is in distress over her bad reaction when her sister brakes her dollhouse, for a rooftop journey. Along the difference rooftops, the Heidelberg Cat shows her where others have reacted badly too. What she learns is all people have bad reactions, except for one and because of Him, we are all forgiven. Sidenote, I received an ebook copy of this book through NetGalley, however my opinion is not influenced by this fact.

First sentence: Sophie is crying. Her sister Michaela has broken her dollhouse, and nobody cares. To make matters worse, she’s pushed over her sister, then yelled at her parents, and stormed up the stairs.

Premise/plot: This is a picture book that will appeal to Reformed or Calvinist families; the picture book is oh-so-loosely inspired by the Heidelberg Catechism. It stars a naughty girl, Sophie, who follows a strange cat (named Grace, I believe) up on the roof to talk theology. And it’s all done in rhyme. The theme of this one is that we are all born with a sin nature and stand in need of a savior. Salvation is not earned or achieved but purely of grace. God graciously saves his elect.

My thoughts: I love, love, love the Heidelberg Catechism. I do. I am without a doubt Reformed in my theology. But. If parents really, truly want to teach theology to their children there has to be a better way then this—mediocre rhyme and a flimsy story. Why a talking cat? Why a rooftop? Why introduce fantasy elements into what could be a realistic story? Why not just directly talk to children about the gospel?

A few years ago an updated children’s Catechism inspired by the Heidelberg Catechism was released—also a few albums with songs to aid in memorizing the questions and answers. That approach actually makes sense.

Few writers can write in rhyme and actually get the concept of rhythm. Many try, no doubt about it. They give it their all and do manage to get published. But rhyming texts are so tricky to get right and easy to get wrong. Few achieve a natural, realistic, genuine, believable voice. That credibility is much more important if you want to engage with readers heart to heart.

What a fantastic book! The pictures are great and it's a great story about how we can't be good on our own...we need Jesus. I read it to my 4 year old daughter, who is not a Christian yet. She loved it. I can see the Lord moving in her heart. This was the perfect book for her. I highly recommend it.

This story is based on the Heidelberg Catechism, a Christian document that was written in Germany in 1563.

Sophie is very upset as her sister Michaela has broken her dollhouse and nobody seems to care. She pushes her sister down, yells at her parents and storms upstairs to her room. She looks out her window and notices the Heidelberg's white cat on the chimney. What happens next is truly supernatural.

The cat actually speaks to her and asks her a question . "You're crying. What for?"

Really? Did the cat actually talk to her? How can that be? She explains to him her feelings and how she feels very guilty about the way she behaved. She is most upset because not only did she upset her family but she upset God by her angry and inappropriate response to her broken dollhouse.

The magical cat invites her to go for a walk along the rooftops and together they have a wonderful discussion about the gospel of "grace." The whole conversation is based on the first question and answer of the Hiedelberg Catechism.; "What is your only comfort and life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong... to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ."


The illustrations certainly enrich the book's message and are beautiful. The book with its engaging rhymes gives those sharing the book to have meaningful conversations that will help a child understand the meaning of "grace" in a deeper and personal way. I highly recommend this book.

Want to read a good children’s book for young ones to understand sin and the need for God’s grace? This is an excellent book for that! The author told this story in a way that kids would relate in terms of the kinds of sins that would happen between siblings and at home and certainly my daughters felt they could identify with the main character Sophie. Yet the story also point towards God’s grace to be forgiven for sin! That’s quite an accomplishment for 36 pages for a children’s book on such a serious topic. I recommend this as I have a hard time finding good Gospel books for kids that is serious about sin and serious about Grace.
In the story Sophie the little girl is crying in her room. A cat notices and approaches her window. Surprising Sophie is the fact that the cat talks to her! So she tells the cat what’s wrong and takes a walk on the roof tops with the cat. I love the illustrations by Helena P Garcia especially with the buildings and the roof top. They are well done details even though it’s a children’s book.
The publisher, author and illustrator are to be commended for a beautiful Gospel driven book. I love how the cat’s family (Heidelberg) is based upon the Heidelberg Catechism and the end of the book has the relevant quote from the catechism as well. I recommend this!
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Crossway and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied

This is an excellent book for Children using questions and answers from the heidelberg catechism to explain the concept of sin and forgiveness and grace. The illustrations and the talking cat add to the interest for the child. My 6 year old, who generally feels that he is too old for picture books loves this story and asks for it to be read so its an excellent and engaging story for all ages!

Hope doesn't come from the good things we do, but in the gift of what Jesus has done.

Sophie struggles with doing the right thing all the time. She fights with her sister, she gets angry with her parents, and then she feels terrible and hopeless afterwards. However, not all is lost when the Heidelberg cat teaches Sophie about how she belongs to Christ. Based on the Heidelberg Catechism question What is your comfort in life and in death.

With colorful illustrations and how the Catechism is a learning tool for your children to ask the right questions about the character and work of Christ. Highly recommend.

A Special Thank you to Crossway Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Nothing against a religious message, but this one felt a bit didactic rather than integrated into the story. I appreciated the illustrations.

Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat by Andrew Wilson and Helena Perez Garcia is a cute little book based on the Bible that teaches children where their comfort in life and death should come from. It teaches them that nobody in this world is always good and that it is ok to get upset sometimes. I liked how at the end of the book it was explained what the book was based on.

Thankful for the explanation at the end of the story. As a non-christian I was puzzled about the message. Still am, a bit. But I am sure that to Christian families this book will make sense and that it will be a wonderful addition to their collection. I thought the illustrations were lovely!

"Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat," by Andrew Wilson is an interesting read, but I think it goes over the heads of kids. Some of the concepts they understand like grace and that there is no one who is "good" all the time, but some of the other concepts are very difficult for younger kids to understand.

There was lots of deep theological meaning packed in this short children's picture book, which to me was a bit overwhelming for my kids. The illustrations were nice and interesting though.

I received this as an eBook from Crossway via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of the title. I did not receive any compensation from either company. The opinions expressed herein are completely my own.

While I liked the idea of the Heidelberg cat giving the girl some direction, I didn't appreciate the language used or the deep feelings of guilt instilled in the reader every time they do something wrong.

I just reviewed Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat by Andrew Wilson; illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia. #SophieAndTheHeidelbergCat #NetGalley

Quick read with depth meaning ..... Again, another book for kids. But I found that these books are the ones easy to read, because they are entertaining, but with a message to ponder upon. It reminds me who I am, and what I am to Jesus.

Learning the Gospel in easier way, kids' way, is one of adults' privilege. It is simple, but we tend to neglect. We live as christian without ever thinking what makes us call ourselves follower of Christ. And this book is a good reminder. Go try reading it!

Very heavy on the preaching factor. I had hoped for more of a story. But unfortunately not. Beautiful illustrations though.

Ew. Let's promote children walking on roofs and trying to normalize being bad. (sarcasm) 🙄 Maybe reword it as making mistakes? I also didn't realize this was a Christian book when I originally requested it, which there's nothing wrong with but explains a lot. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Let's be honest, I really requested for the cat and that's the only reason I'm giving two stars instead of one.

Thank you for the opportunity to review Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat. Unfortunately, it's not for me.