4 out of 4 stars
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For many people, 2016 will go down as one of the worst years in recent history. After reading A Book for Oreo by Caralee Jardine I've certainly discovered another reason - the unfortunate passing of Caralee's cat Oreo. Despite a long life of being loved like the family he was, Oreo's passing comes across as painful a loss as any fictional character.
A Book for Oreo is a heartwarming collection of anecdotes and events that Oreo and Caralee share. The book begins with their first meeting: Caralee's sister-in-law was looking for a new puppy and Caralee decided to look at all the kitties while she was there. She wasn't looking for a pet, in fact her landlord wouldn't allow her to have a pet anyway. However, as she walked by one little kitty his paw shot out to her arm and it was love at first sight. It wasn't easy, but she got Oreo the night before he would have been put to sleep. What follows are some sweet, hilarious, adorable and sad moments that absolutely hit me right in the feels as much as the best Pixar movies do.
Each chapter tells a tale or two about Caralee's life with Oreo. The entire book is very well edited, and I really enjoyed the use of photos between chapters. The book is really genuine, it's clear Caralee really opened up and let us into their life. At one point in the book Caralee ends up with a second kitty, Alley, who was badly mistreated. The differences between the two cats really seemed like two siblings, which makes the end of the book all the more touching.
Typically I have a pretty easy time finding at least something negative to say about a book. However, even after reflecting on the book days after finishing it I can't think of a single thing. The book is so sweet, so well written, and the perfect length (just shy of 100 pages). It's something I can easily see myself reading again and again, and I highly recommend it to everyone, especially those who have or had a cat as a pet.
It's certainly easy for me to give A Book for Oreo by Caralee Jardine 4 out of 4 stars. The book was written as a dedication to the life of Oreo, and Caralee absolutely succeeded. After going through some amazing moments throughout Oreo's 15+ years with Caralee and the fantastic photos she included, she has a poem and letters to Oreo after he's passed on. She even has a list of biblical passages that the end of the book related to animals. The themes of hope, faith and God's love are woven throughout the pages without forcing religion on the reader, making it exceptional for people of faith as well.
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A Book for Oreo
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