01/07/2025

TUESDAY | JULY 1, 2025

23

LYFE

Feline odyssey into world of departed soul

BOOK REVIEW

Ű BY VERONICA ELANKOVAN

W HEN pets die, where do they go? A question that has sent parents all over spiralling, grappling for the right words to explain a taboo topic before landing on the good ol’ “Oh, they went to pets’ heaven”.

o The Death Kitten invites children into its whimsy universe Exploring that grim mystery is The Death Kitten Who Gave Away Nine Lives , written by Alycia Wong, and created and illustrated by Dave Liew. Set in Folkvangr , the book invites little minds to the vibrant afterlife realm helmed by the Norse goddess Freya. The tale opens with a plague that looms over the realm as many cats, all of whom are supposed to pass the Rainbow Bridge, go missing. Needing the extra paws, Oken, the lead character, was hired to lighten

The Senior.

(From left) The book launch host, Liew and Wong. – ALL PICS BY VERONICA ELANKOVAN/THESUN

obnoxiously so. Wong mentioned the use of colour grading to indicate the emotional weight of a scene. This subtle detail, which employs a technique (mood lighting) normally used for stage plays, is an incredibly useful way to help children focus and associate colours with moods, triggering their cognitive function as they ease through a simple read. Not only that, it will keep them glued to reading the book, without overstimulating them, as the art style is kept clean and rounded throughout. Somewhere between a manga and a comic, The Death Kitten Who Gave Away Nine Lives is creating a canvas of its own by helping children understand loss, love and second chances. It is definitely worth the read!

the most whimsical way possible. An excellent bedtime story, the obvious puns and light wordplay make reading about a rather sombre topic fun. If there was a flaw in the book, it is the sudden insertion of comic blurbs that may confuse young readers… or not. It is clear from this book that we are only at the exposition of The Death Kitten universe. Its creators mentioned during the book launch that there is more to come, which explores Oken’s relationship with his “job” and the afterlife. Colour play Striking a balance between the dark and light, The Death Kitten hits that sweet spot by making the visuals of its characters cute but not

the load. An intern, he works under the supervision of the Senior. Think cat-Grim Reaper! But Oken faces a dilemma. He is not sure that he would be a good fit to be a Death Kitten, but Freya trusts him, and he has been entrusted to collect his first soul under the supervision of The Senior. Easy read The book starts light and genuine with the classic “Once upon a time” – a little cheesy even. The first one of its kind, The Death Kitten , does not bother with witty dialogues or poignant metaphors, it is a book for children who do not care much for literary flair. It does not try too hard to please bibliophiles, but simply narrates a story about death and the afterlife in

Dave Fuse Imaginarium’s artworks.

Reading corner BOOKS are the first lens into a world beyond our own – they teach us to dream, make us feel at home and sometimes, they mend broken hearts. Besides, reading is a great way to de-stress. Children these day are overstimulated, which is a repercussion of our fast-paced life. Schools, after-school activities, socialising and homework... just to name a few have had our kids busy, exhausted and overwhelmed. Reading will allow them to slow down and take some time off the buzz. And also, they will likely build a solid vocabulary that could make them champions at Scrabble or the next Taylor Swift. So, here are some kid-approved recommendations to get your child to pick up a book. The Death Kitten Who Gave Away Nine Lives by Alycia Wong and Dave Liew As a Death Kitten intern, Oken is riddled with the impending pressure

to do his job and self-doubt. He needs to collect souls, but he is a believer in second chances. Under the supervision of The Senior, Oken now needs to carry out his job without compromising his beliefs.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney A tween novel series, it follows middle schooler Greg Heffley, who stumbles through life while navigating the awkward phase of adolescence as he pens his experiences in his diary entries. Happy reading!

Geronimo Stilton by Elisabeth Dami An Italian children’s book series, the story follows Geronimo, who is a journalist and editor for The Rodent’s Gazette in New Mouse City on Mouse Island. Solving mysteries, bumping into unusual situations in exhilarating escapades, accompanied by his loved ones.

Stick Boy by Paul Comey Illustrated in a comic strip style, Stick Boy woes start when his family moves to Little Town. Plague with worries of being the new kid and literally sticking out, there is also some shady business going down, and it is up to Stick Boy and his friends to uncover that mystery.