Spice Abrams has both a tail and a tale to tell. This “spicy” cat declares to readers that cats predate humans on the evolutionary timeline and are thus the key to humanity’s growth and success. Conveniently, human records are unreliable, but Spice is ready to share the truth of the matter—and in rhyming couplets, no less. Back when humans were nomadic, cats lived in colonies that took an interest in these strange, bipedal creatures and showed them how to settle down. “‘There’s work involved. No, please don’t cry. / We’ll show you how, but you must try.’ // By watching how a cat survives, / the people soon improved their lives.” Of course, the humans could barely feed themselves, so cats taught them to hunt and fish, inventing the fishing rod because people didn’t have sharp claws. Table manners, personal hygiene, and even the roundness of the Earth follow suit. Spice’s story extends across space and time from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance all the way to a future where cat astronauts bounce around the moon waiting for a new world to explore. No matter where or when, Spice assures readers, cats push humans to be their very best. Abrams’ follow-up to Silly Cat and Friends Make Believe (2023) is a silly stand-alone alternate history that may amuse cat lovers, particularly those in elementary school. This historical romp provides a disclaimer as to its truthfulness (or lack thereof), but its emphasis on the emotional bond between humans and their pets stands the test of time. Her sentences flow smoothly, as does the story, though things do become somewhat repetitive as cats solve every issue that crops up with no difficulty. Vagreti’s illustrations are expressive and portray a variety of people with different skin tones—though, like much of the history, most of them are white.
