Booklist - 02/15/2011 Since the day bookstore owner Felicity Fotheringham brings home a striped cat, Raj, she tells him that he resembles a tiger—and he feels like one, too. With head and tail held high, Raj takes his responsibilities seriously, from checking the storeroom to greeting customers to participating in storytimes. Then snarky cat Snowball arrives and announces that Raj is no tiger; he is “just a plain old marmalade kitty-cat.” Dejected, Raj takes to hiding, but after Felicity reads him a William Blake poem (“Tyger! Tyger!”), a reenergized Raj resumes his duties, stands up to Snowball, and extends a paw of kindness with mutually rewarding, happy results. This amusing story effectively explores issues of self-esteem and confidence, as well as the importance of offering and receiving compassion. The lively, descriptive narrative will provide an entertaining read-aloud, while the cheery watercolor-and-pencil illustrations feature expressive feline and human characters in the cozy bookstore and apartment above. A whimsical title with a positive message. - Copyright 2011 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 03/01/2011 K-Gr 3—Raj, a handsome marmalade cat with a golden coat and chocolate stripes, believes he is a tiger. His owner, Felicity Fotheringham, has given him a real tiger's name and introduces him at storytime as "our very own bookstore tiger." When an employee brings his cat to the bookstore, Snowball quickly becomes the top feline, sprawling and smirking from a child's lap. Worst of all, he says Raj is no tiger, just a plain old kitty-cat. Felicity wisely reads aloud William Blake's tiger poem over and over again, restoring her pet's confidence. The next morning, despite Snowball's hisses and scowls, Raj is his old self again. A visiting author from India calls him a little tiger, and Felicity agrees. With great kindness, Raj shows Snowball a picture of a white tiger in a book, and the two little tigers make the rounds together. Illustrations done in watercolors and colored pencil bring the bookstore and its inhabitants to life. Youngsters will wish they could be part of Felicity's storytime with a marmalade cat in their laps. Raj's self-esteem issues will resonate with youngsters and spark discussions.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN - Copyright 2011 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.