The Cat That Was Nothing But Trouble is an animal picture book for children written by Anne Toole and illustrated by Richa Kinra. Lee was a small puppy who had a peaceful and comfortable life. He loved his bed and his toys, and he lived happily with his human mom and dad. Everything changed, however, when Mom found a lost cat and brought it home. The cat was bigger than Lee, and Lee was very intimidated by both the cat’s size and its propensity to tease and bother him. Lee started spending more and more time hiding in corners and under tables, and he began feeling less and less a valued part of his family. To make matters even worse, Lee was constantly getting in trouble for the mischievous things that the troublesome cat would do. Lee was starting to feel depressed by the situation and didn’t know what to do about it, but then suddenly something unexpected happened.

The Cat That Was Nothing But Trouble works so well on a number of levels. Most obviously, it highlights the need for human companions to carefully monitor the situation when a new animal is brought into the home. Even in the best of circumstances, that new animal companion can make one’s current pet feel passed over or not as loved. When the new animal is larger, older or more powerful, an unhealthy dynamic can result. This book goes further than that, however, in that it teaches kids to understand and recognize when they are being bullied. Lee’s inability to verbalize his side of the story to his human parents is an excellent springboard for discussions about what a kid in Lee’s situation could and should do.

Richa Kinra’s illustrations are marvelous and each panel fits the story line so well. The expressions she gives to poor little Lee are pitiable indeed as the puppy tries to cope with his new and very uncomfortable existence. Sometimes, the new arrival can be nothing but trouble, but discussing concerns with a parent, teacher or caregiver can help kids avoid the stress and resolve conflicts before they escalate. This fable goes a long way towards encouraging kids to do just that. The Cat That Was Nothing But Trouble is most highly recommended.