Book Review: Pickle Gets Adopted
Pickle Gets Adopted. Bridget Holck, Olympia Publishers/Bumblebee Books, 26 May 2022, Paperback and eBook, 60 pages.
Reviewed by Susan Gaspar.
Pickle Gets Adopted, by author (and shelter veterinarian) Bridget Holck, is both a charming story about a cute kitten and a practical lesson in animal advocacy. It is not heavy-handed or pushy in its educational aspects, but it gently reminds readers about ideas for supporting animals. And if you are a cat lover, you will be immediately taken by the adorable fuzzy orange kitten with golden eyes on the book’s cover.
Pickle introduces himself on page one, and because of that first-person introduction (and the book’s title), we know the tale has a happy ending. A stray cat found outdoors all alone, he is luckily found by a kind woman who names him Pickle because he feels safe in an old pickle box after being rescued and who brings him to a shelter for treatment and, hopefully, adoption. While we don’t know Pickle’s backstory or why he is homeless and alone, we are relieved that he is brought to a safe place early on.
Most of us know that animal shelters are often overflowing with scared and injured animals awaiting treatment, socialization, and permanent homes, but this story and its color-rich illustrations keeps the tone upbeat and anxiety-free and takes us right to the good parts. Pickle is welcomed at the shelter, given a routine medical exam, and is happily cleared for the adoption floor. His kennel with a soft bed and delicious food feels like a welcome haven after being outside in the elements, and that’s when his adventure really begins.
We meet the other shelter cats by name and quickly learn their personalities and quirks. Anyone who has been lucky enough to earn the friendship of a cat will immediately recognize common feline mannerisms and will find amusement in the way the cats organize themselves to get adopted as quickly as possible. The cats “talk” to each other to strategize, and at night, after the shelter closes, the more experienced older cats run a “boot camp” to teach the newer, younger cats the ropes of being irresistible to potential adopters.
I laughed out loud at some of the class lessons, including the “Purr and Flop” and the “Wiggle Pounce.” The story takes a fun, fantastical turn in this cats-only section, and children and adults alike will be entertained by the recognizable, lovable cat behaviors that the shelter cats practice while hoping for their forever families.
By the end of the story, many of the cats happily find adopters, and Pickle even helps his new shelter friend, a savvy tuxedo cat named Lou (named after the author’s own feline), to get adopted by the same family who chooses him so they can be cat siblings. And finally, we get to see both cats ensconced in their cozy new home with a loving family—a satisfying ending indeed.
The final page of the book is dedicated to the instruction about how readers can help with animal welfare. Broken down into four action points—Volunteer, Donate, Foster, and Adopt—it’s a wonderful reminder that the world is filled with stray and shelter animals waiting to find safe and loving homes. Animal advocacy has many faces, and choosing to support these causes is satisfying for humans and lifesaving for the animals. And best of all, you might find a forever friend along the way.
More information about the book, the author, and helping animals in need can be found at https://picklegetsadopted.weebly.com/