Bodega Cats is such a cute premise with a beautiful execution. This is the purrfect book that celebrates the urban setting of bodegas and the culture of the kitties that make them such a centerpiece of their communities.

Jeez where do I start this book probably one of my favorite books like top 50 it’s funny,sad and suspenseful keeping you on the edge of your seat reading. the characters are well made there are as I said previously sad moments but they make the read better all together I think this book is structured perfectly and it feels real in some cases like the struggles Miguel goes through with his furry companion “Lolo” And the drawings are adorable and it switches povs so a example is each chapter it switches from lolo to Miguel back and forth. This book is great for young readers so overall my review is a 10/10

-review written by my 9 year old

This was so cute and i loved the illustrations throughout the story. From someone who didn’t know what a bodega was until a few years ago, i was all about wanting to read this book and now that i live in New York I’m always eager to find bodega cats. I definitely recommend this one to young readers or any reader if you want a cute quick story, especially if you like cats

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was downright adorable! I want to be a bodega cat one day! This will be a fun read for kids.

Miguel wants nothing more than to be far away from his family’s bodega in Washington Heights - seeing and drawing the world. For street-savvy and newly adopted cat Lolo, staying inside the bodega pounds perfect, as long as he’s out of the freezing cold.

But when Miguel ditches his responsibilities and lies to his parents about joining an art club, his art dream may come crashing down. Lolo must decide if he’s willing to be there no Miguel through anything, even venturing back outside into scary New York City sidewalks.

This is such a cute and sweet story for young readers. The illustrations alongside the chapters added to the cuteness (though I got an digital ARC of this title, so some of the illustrations were not fully flushed out yet, I’m going to have to get my hands on a finished copy).

I also really enjoyed Lolo’s point of view - especially since the kitten seems to understand humans a lot more than we give our four legged friends credit for.

This book will be great for young readers, especially since it’s about following your passion while still balancing parental expectations as well.

*Thank you Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Sweet story told in chapters alternating between the perspective of Miguel and his cat "Lolo." Miguel wants to join his school's art club, while his parents want him to pursue something more scientific. Burgos excels at portraying the loving relationship between Miguel and his cat, along with and his anguish at lying to his parents about joining the art club. Only problem is the story wrapped up a little too quickly,

This is, without doubt, a charming and sweet story of a New York child and his furry companion. The narrative moves a little slowly at times but is, overall, unique, emotive, and fun.

In Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect we meet a frightened cat desperately searching for scraps of food. He finds a cozy ditch to warm up, only to be confronted by a group of snarling cats. That’s their spot, one yells.

So the loner cat runs off, under honking cars and through echoing alleys. He eventually finds a steamy vent behind a mailbox and decides that’s where he’ll sleep tonight.

Suddenly, human hands scoop him up.

“You’re okay, little cat,” the boy says. “Let’s get you out of the cold.”

So begins a beautiful budding friendship between Miguel Rosado, and the cat, who the boy names Lolo.

From Dominican-American author Hilda Eunice Burgos comes a story that will tug at your heartstrings. Out on July 23 from Henry Holt & Company, Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect features adorable illustrations by Mexican and Black artist, Siara Faison. Burgos expertly tells the story in alternating points of view; we watch Lolo adjust to his new bodega surroundings and Miguel struggle to tell his parents about joining an art club. They work long hours at the bodega and don’t see the value in art the way he does.

Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect is a great story for young readers, filled with warmth and themes of bravery and and kindness. There's also a gentle lesson for children on advocating for themselves. It is the first standalone installment of a three-part series. The second installment, Bodega Cats: Just Kitten Around, is already available for preorder.

Ahead of the book’s release, Burgos spoke with me about what it was like to write about a bodega cat, what draws her to the middle grade genre, and more. Here's the link to my conversation with Burgos: https://www.dominicanwriters.org/post/hilda-eunice-burgos-on-launching-young-middle-grade-series-bodega-cats

Miguel dreams of being an artist and Lolo dreams of having a home. In this sweet picture book, Miguel and Lolo learn about how important their dreams really are and what they'll have to do to get what they want. Miguel has a wonderful family, but his parents don't understand him. Lolo isn't used to making compromises because he's usually alone.
This was a sweet book and I teared up a little at the end. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

This was a really cute start to a chapter book series. The cat POV and illustrations will make it a favorite with cat-loving younger elementary students.

I have been a fan of the Bodega Cats Instagram account for years. Bodega cats serve an important function for the little neighborhood bodegas in big cities by keeping the stores free of vermin. So when I saw “bodega cats” in the title, well, I had to request it!

This sweet middle-grade story is about Miguel, who really wants to be an artist, and his Dominican immigrant parents who want him to have a better, more stable life. As with so many of the MG and YA stories I’ve read lately, this one also focuses on a child who is trying balance parental expectations with what they truly want for themselves.

The illustrations frequently take the form of Miguel’s comics about his life. They are fun and energetic and definitely add to the storytelling.

The story was a very quick read for me. I think both the material and the actual writing would be easily accessible for grades 2 and up. For me, an adult reading a story meant for children, I was really struck by the parent angle on this. I understand the desire to give your kids a good life, but it has long been my philosophy that our children aren’t our possessions, and we must listen to what it is they want out of life. Advise, don’t demand! So many of these fictional parents need to learn that lesson.

Possible Objectionable Material:
An animal is in danger. Miguel lies to his parents about an after-school club. An elderly person starts a fire.

Who Might Like This Book:
People who like animal stories.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2024/07/new-releases.html

Cute, fast-paced story. Kids will enjoy hearing the perspectives of Miguel and Lolo, the cat. What kid hasn't encountered some kind of resistance from their parents in the pursuit of their passion?

A simple, cute, and heartwarming story about a boy and his newly adopted cat. Told from the cat and the boy’s POV, completed with illustrations on each chapters. Perfect for children cat lovers!

"Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect" by Hilda Eunice Burgos is an absolute delight that warmed my heart and left me smiling. Miguel's struggle between his responsibilities at the family bodega and his passion for art is so relatable, and Lolo, the street-smart, adorable cat, brings a perfect blend of humor and warmth to the story. The illustrations are vibrant and capture the essence of Washington Heights beautifully, making me feel like I was right there with Miguel and Lolo. The way Burgos portrays family, community, and the sacrifices parents make for their children is touching and genuine. This book made me appreciate the small, everyday moments and the importance of following one's dreams, even when the path isn't easy. It's a perfect read for anyone who loves heartwarming tales of friendship and resilience. 🐱🖍️📚

This book was delightful! Such a cute, yet important story of identity paralleled within the lives of the cat and the son. Well written and engaging. Perfect for your early readers to enjoy on their own.

I adored Miguel and Lolo. I liked that we got the cat's point of view. I understand why Miguel's family wants him to be more than an artist, but he's still young, so they should be more open to letting him explore and make art for fun.
A sweet book, with lovely friendships between people and also animals.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Told from dual perspectives, Miguel finds a cat and names it Lolo. His parents own a bodega and allow Miguel to keep the cat because he catches mice. Miguel loves to draw and wants to join the art club but is afraid to tell his parents. When he leads them to think he’s joining another club, they find out he was at the art club and are not happy. While staying at his uncle’s one day Miguel sketches and his uncle tells him he is talented. When his parents see his sketches they see how talented Miguel is. What happens next?

Miguel is a good kid who helps out at his parents' bodega. One day, he finds a cat and convinces his parents to keep him. But Miguel has been keeping things from them, mainly that he really wants to study art and join a new art club at school. They have decided Miguel needs to study math and science and engineering - things that get you a real job. Miguel needs to figure out if he can have it all, and still be true to himself and his family.

Miguel lives with his parents above their neighborhood bodega and works with them every day after school. He finds a stray cat named Lolo and convinces his parents to let him keep him. The real issue comes when Miguel wants to join an after-school art program, which his parents think is a waste of time. This easy-reader chapter book goes back and forth from Miguel’s point of view and Lolo’s.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. The writing is not very fluid and the giant issue between Miguel and his parents re: the art club seems a bit … dramatic? They’re so opposed to art that they refuse to allow him to join a club where the participants make things? As a person who grew up in a household where they wanted better things for their children, I understand Miguel’s parents wanting their child to be an engineer (or another job that pays well/has status), but refusing to allow him to participate in something as benign as an art club? I think that is my issue with the whole story - the concept of the book is a good one, but it isn’t well-fleshed out or well-executed. I think that students will enjoy the beginning reader chapter book aspect of it, especially since every other chapter is from the cat’s perspective. Still, this book did not live up to my expectations of it upon reading the jacket copy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Miguel lives in Washington Heights, New York City, where his parents run a bodega. He's not particularly happy; he just had a birthday, and his Mami and Papi got him gifts that reflect their interests, not his own. He thought that by asking for a dog, he might get the art supplies he requested, but they think art is a waste of time. Being an engineer is a much better plan, so they encourage math and science related pursuits. When he plucks and adorable and helpless kitten from the street, his parents let him feed it, and when his great uncle, Tio Diego, encourages them, the cat is allowed to stay at the store. We hear from Lolo as well; life on the streets is hard, and the food and comfort that Miguel provides is very welcome. Lolo is alarmed when Miguel leaves, but is invested in catching mice and "protecting" the bodega. Customers warm to the cat, feeding him small tidbits of their purchases. Miguel really wants to attend the art club at his school, which meets on Tuesdays, but his parents claim they need him to help at the store. His cousin Yesenia encourages him to come, but he can't bring himself to engage in yet another battle with them. Another cat shows up, whom the mother names Preciosa, and Lolo is not pleased with the new interloper. Miguel manages to fool his parents into signing a permission slip which they think is for a robotics club, and goes to art club, where his teacher is pleased with his drawings. We also see some of his comic books included in the story. When there is a field trip to a museum, Miguel again practices some subterfuge; he is supposed to stay with Tio Diego in his apartment, to help out since the older man has broken his arm, but instead he tells Tio he has to go back to the bodega to help. On his way to the museum, with Lolo in tow, he sees Preciosa being menaced by other cats in the park. Preciosa, who is pregnant, is injured, and the art teacher calls the vet. Miguel stays with her until help arrives. Unfortunately, during this time, Tio Diego manages to set his toaster on fire, and while he is safe, Miguel's ruse is uncovered. Will Miguel be able to make his parents see the value of his artistic abilities?
Strengths: This is a great choice for younger middle grade readers who are navigating how to follow their own dreams despite getting pushback from parents. I loved that Miguel had responsibilities in the store even though he was only in fifth grade. His care for Lolo is also nice to see, and Lolo's opinions are expressed in appropriately cat like ways. Seeing Miguel's extended family working together, and his parents both being involved in his life, was refreshing as well. The bodega is an interesting setting to someone from the suburbs, and I could have used more scenes set there. Maybe we'll see that in the sequel, Just Kitten Around, out January 21, 2025.
Weaknesses: Miguel expresses his displeasure in his parents' decision in less than optimal ways, although I was glad to see him working hard and not complaining to try to convince them of the validity of his interests.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed the graphic novels Doodles from the Boogie Down or Art Club, or books narrated in part from a cat's point of view like Eldredge's Nimbus or Lloyd's Haven: A Small Cat's Big Adventure.