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!

My daughter really loved this one and wanted to go back and look at the pictures a lot!! I did notice a couple issues though. On a few pages it was almost like the pages had been swapped because the beginnings of them didn’t make any sense. Also, in the very last page the formatting was off and it was missing the beginning letter of the sentence. Overall really cute book! Thank you NetGalley

This is a picture book, aimed at (I would guess) 3 year olds, but I enjoyed it too. It's beautifully illustrated, and tells the story of Fiona and her adventures throughout a day. It reminds us that looks aren't everything, and it's a good idea to praise what someone (or some cats) do, rather than how they look. I know it's a bit of a theme for the books reviewed here today, but this is well drawn, attractive and wholesome.

I was given an e-Arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fiona is a fun, entertaining, and smart apartment cat. The book really conveys a sense of wonder with ideal living conditions for this gorgeous pet. A great read for cat lovers of all ages.

The front cover of the book caught my attention. The drawings are nice and the text is nicely incorporated. The story itself really gives children something. We are more than appearance and everyone wants to be seen and recognized. The length is good for the target group in question. All in all a very nice children's book!

This book initially caught my eye because I share a first name with the titular character (even as an adult I am not immune to that). I read this together with a friend, and we couldn’t help but aww and laugh with every page we turned. The story has an important message, which it gets across very effectively and with great humor. This book is great fun, and the illustrations are simply gorgeous. All in all a perfect children’s book!

This is a cute and sweet book about looking beyond what someone (even a cat!) looks like and seeing the other qualities someone has. The illustrations are absolutely Bristol and the determination Fiona has to be recognized as smart, clever, hardworking etc is really encouraging to see

this short and beautiful tale is an important reminder for children, especially young girls about the importance of recognising and appreciating themselves and others beyond their looks. i love the princess-y art style. it's very fitting for the cat and mine would approve too.

Fiona, the sassy and self-confident cat spends her day playing an important role in the house. from waking up her humans on time to chasing mice away and providing endless entertainment, she does it all with effortless ease. however, despite her many talents, she grows increasingly irritated when everyone only compliments her looks. when she is finally praised for her humour and hard work, she discovers a newfound sense of fulfilment.

we need more cute little books like these. highly recommended for cat lovers and kids.

Fiona and the Peculiar Praise is a cute book…I mean, a smart book, about a cat and her dislike of being called cute names when she’s done much more than just be cute. My 3yo daughter enjoyed the pictures (Fiona IS cute!). I feel like Fiona is trying to make a point, but I wasn’t feeling it. I thought it tried too hard to stand on a soapbox instead of just letting the cute cat be called cute. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

An adorable picture book about a sassy little cat who feels under-appreciated in her own home. Very fun, sweet, and full of charming illustrations. I would gladly read more books about Fiona in the future!