Excerpt
"One day, Mama sat down on the hay bale next to me and said, 'I wish you would come live in the house, Ms. Alberta.' I put my paw on Mama’s leg and purred. I meowed to tell Mama to stay with me in the barn, but she did not understand.
Then one day, Mama petted me and said, 'Have a good day, Ms. Alberta,' and she walked up the path to the house.
But I wanted more time with Mama. I waited for a moment, then I raced right after her."
Reviews
"This is a thoughtfully written book. I feel a child would really enjoy reading because it illustrates the touching relationship between people and their pets. Although my grandchildren are too young for this book currently, I’m adding it to 'Grandma’s library,' to read to them in the future. A true account of how Mama showed love and compassion for a feral cat that wandered into her barn one day, and not only found a place in Mama’s house, but also a place in her heart. Well-illustrated, entertaining enough to keep a young child’s interest, with an important message about how much joy the animals around us bring to our lives."
—Diane Semanski, NY
"Feral barn cat Ms. Alberta has found a new loving home when she stumbles upon Mama's horse barn in Ms. Alberta: Feline Barn Manager by Diana Tuorto. She loves spending time with Mama in the barn and knows when Mama is done caring for all the horses, there will be some special one-on-one time together with her snuggled up on a hay bale. Mama asks Ms. Alberta to come inside the house to live with her, but the cat is too hesitant to make such drastic changes. Mama respects Ms. Alberta's wishes...
I absolutely loved this children's story and felt as if I was watching everything happen firsthand. I loved how Ms. Alberta stumbled upon Mama's barn and became such an integral part of the family that Mama wanted her to enter the house so they could live together. As I turned the pages, I could feel the love Mama had for not only her horses and her dog, Iggy but Ms. Alberta as well. I felt this was the perfect place for Ms. Alberta to call home, and it would be even better if she got over her fear of Iggy and finally entered the house. As I was reading, I found myself cheering Ms. Alberta on when she kept trying to overcome her fear of Iggy.
I also loved the great illustrations provided by Ava Bucci and felt they were the perfect portrayal of the story Ms. Tuorto wrote. Through the illustrations, I felt that I was right there in each scene feeling and seeing everything as it happened. I loved looking at the illustrations because they provided me with a sense of the true love and respect Ms. Alberta and Mama had for one another...
Overall, I loved this children's book and feel the author did a remarkable job telling Ms. Alberta's story to her readers. The reading age for this story is 4-8 years and I feel it's the perfect fit for that age group. I'm an adult reviewer and I truly enjoyed getting to know Ms. Alberta and all the characters. I highly recommend this book. Well done, Ms. Tuorto!" Read the full review.
—Diana Coyle for Reader Views Kids
"Diana Tuorto's Ms. Alberta: Feline Barn Manager is an adorable tale about a shy cat and her journey to becoming a house cat. The picture book is illustrated by Ava Bucci with lovely pictures that depict the events in the story.
I held my breath as I read the cat's struggle to join her human friend in the house and the barking dog that stood in her way. Though it's a short story, Diana Tuorto's compelling plot creates a struggle that's both suspenseful and adorable. Children who love animals will be thrilled by the heartwarming depiction of animals and the words they exchange. The language is simple yet compelling and descriptive…The appealing, fun illustrations appear on every other page, further enhancing the reader's imagination. Ms. Alberta: Feline Barn Manager is great for anyone, young or old, who has ever loved a pet. This fascinating tale of love, bravery, and compassion teaches a highly valuable lesson about acceptance." Read the full review.
—Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
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