This is the fifth book in the series Princess Katie's Kittens but it really doesn't matter if you haven't read the other books as it is a perfect stand alone book too.

The Queen is having a baby and this is a book about how the family are preparing for this exciting new event. It is really is the a great book to share with children who might be in the same situation at home. Although Princess Katie is excited and taking it all in her stride, Ruby (one of the kittens) is finding all the changes a little more unsettling. Making it the kitten who is having difficulties was a stroke of genius as it takes the guilt out of any discussions it might lead to with your own children.

And it was the kitten parts that my daughter most enjoyed. Most of the story is narrated from Katie's perspective but they are interspersed with Ruby's adventures and mishaps too, which is definitely an interesting touch.

The book is perfect for that difficult stage when a child is ready to move on to longer books and be more independent in their reading but still needs to build stamina. The chapter lengths and illustrations make this an achievable read or a nice book to share together. We'll be keeping an eye out for any more of the Princess Katie's Kittens series.

NetGalley ARC review.
A good book for primary school age children to help them prepare for the arrival of younger siblings and bring about a positive attitude. A tad long so I would recommend this for children aged 8 and up.

The fifth book in this series is just as delightful as the others and this time it is Ruby's turn to have an adventure. The last of the five kittens finds herself getting into trouble as she explores the wider world around her...

The Queen is having a baby! Katie is over the moon that she is going to be a big sister again and she and her friend, Becky, launch themselves into preparing for the new arrival.

But it's not long before Ruby the kitten interrupts their plans by unintentionally causing mischief and mayhem. The Queen isn't happy either... Will Ruby be allowed to stay? And can Katie fix everything before the baby is born?

Told in a dual perspective which cleverly switches between Katie and Ruby, these stories are perfect for encouraging independent reading. The chapters are short, the illustrations are delightful and there are strong themes of family, friendship and how to care for animals. We really liked how some factual information is always woven into the text and, in this story there's a gentle warning about introducing cats to babies.

The 'princess' aspect of the series is also very appealing and adds another layer of specialness to the concept. Despite this, however, Katie and her family still feel very relatable to readers.