Lily's Cat Mask

Written by Julie Fortenberry

Can Lily face a new school without her beloved cat mask?

4.0/7 Bookroo expert·3.7/5 Goodreads · 260 ratings

32 pages· AD500L

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Bookroo's summary

Lily's imagination and cat mask are her armor against the world, especially at a new school. But when masks are banned in class, she must navigate friendships without her feline facade. Will Lily find the courage to be herself, or will her insecurities keep her hidden? Join Lily on a journey of self-discovery, where whimsical art and heartfelt moments bring her story to life. Perfect for anyone facing new challenges, this tale will resonate with those who have ever felt the need to hide behind a mask.

From the publisher

Armed with a vivid imagination and her trusty cat mask, Lily can take on anything–even a new school…

But when her teacher tells her no masks allowed in class, Lily worries, can she make friends without it?

Anyone who has been daunted by a new experience, or struggled to put on a good face, will relate to Lily. Whimsical art brings Lily, her father, and her new classmates to life, with text that begs to be read aloud. Perfect for Father’s Day, back to school, and even Halloween–Lily and her grinning cat mask are sure to make you smile back.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Reading age: 4–6
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD500L

Themes & topics

Books about bravery Books about starting school Books about facing fears Books about making friends Books about shyness

Good to know

Stories behind the story

Where did you originally get the idea for Lily's Cat Mask?

Lily's Cat Mask started as a book about the seasons and a little girl who liked to wear a mask. The mask had a few uses. She could put it on her snowman. She could hide behind it when she felt mad, or happily don it to stand out at a party, depending on how she was feeling that day (or that hour). My editor at Viking suggested that, since Lily was kindergarten age, the book could focus on starting school. The mask comes in handy when Lily feels timid meeting her teacher for the first time. Of course she can't wear it in the classroom, so there is a bit of conflict that gets resolved in the story. Essentially the book is about shyness which is pretty universal. I identify with Lily as I think many readers will.

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