Leonard is an alien who, like every other member of his hive community, is allowed to spend one month in Earth when they turn 300 years old as whatever creature they would like to be. Leonard has chosen to be a ranger at Yellowstone Park; however, on his way down to Earth, something goes wrong and he ends up as a cat. Rescued by Olive, this is the story of Leonard’s time in Earth.
This is a simply delightful book, full of warmth, charm and humour. I love the attention to the way Leonard perceived things and also the distinction he makes between memories and the emotions linked to them. The fact that Leonard narrates the book also helps the reader to fully understand everything he is going through and you can’t help but fall in love with him.
Olive is clearly in need of a friend and Leonard fits the role perfectly; she doesn’t feel she fits in, she enjoys wearing overalls as there’s plenty of storage space, and she has a love of animals. She is struggling at the beginning of the book, staying with Norma, her paternal grandma, whilst her mum spends the summer with her partner. Norma and Olive haven’t spent much time with each other so are really just getting to know each other, so the Leonard’s arrival couldn’t have come at a better time for her.
Relationships are key within the book - Olive wouldn’t be where she was if it weren’t for her mum’s relationship with her partner; the relationship between Olive and Leonard is so rich, warm and funny and clearly helps Olive to develop her relationship with her grandma (as well as as well as accept herself for who she is), and let’s not forget that the friendship that builds between the two main characters helps Leonard to do what he always wanted to: to truly understand what it is like to be human.
My Life As A Cat is full of love, loyalty and learning to live in the moment and I defy you not to be filled with a warm glow once you’ve finished reading it.
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