Booklist ★ STARRED REVIEW
The ongoing civil war in Syria has brought devastation for almost a decade now, and this picture-book collaboration relates that tragedy through the hopeful and incredible true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel. When the war came to Aleppo, many people fled and were forced to leave behind their animals. Alaa, an ambulance driver, began feeding the stranded cats of his abandoned neighborhood, and their numbers quickly multiplied. One social media movement later, he was able to build an animal sanctuary, as well as offer other services for local human survivors. The story of the Cat Man of Aleppo is remarkable in its own right, but it also serves as a bridge between the harsh reality in Syria and young American students, with the cats serving as a more approachable—and relatable—proxy for the people suffering in the background. Shimizu's lifelike illustrations capture the joy and beauty prior to the war, juxtaposing it with the horror and grief that followed. A trio of early spreads depict the trauma, violence, and mass destruction, though there is no gore, and what follows is a purely hopeful tale of love for one's homeland. What a relief to see Middle Easterners depicted as recognizably modern people—through their clothing, technology, and so on—rather than religious caricatures or characters from Aladdin. A safe, sobering, and hopeful introduction to the crisis in Syria. —Ronny Khuri
Kirkus ★ STARRED REVIEW
When the war comes to Syria, many flee, but Alaa stays in his beloved city, Aleppo, where he continues to work as an ambulance driver and helps the wounded to safety.Day after day, he misses his family and friends who have left, wondering where they are and how they are doing. His neighborhood empties—except for cats! However, these cats are affected by the conflict too; they're left behind with shelters destroyed and food and water stringently limited. Alaa, who has a big heart, starts taking care of them using the little money he has. The love between man and cats multiplies, and many people from around the world step up to help. Soon, the cats of Aleppo get a pleasant shelter set in a courtyard. However, Alaa does not stop there and goes on to help other animals and more people, spreading joy, love, and hope. Based on a true story, this picture book is distinctive for its engaging narrative and impeccable illustrations. It is also enriched with notes from Alaa himself (the real one) as well as the authors and illustrator. The often dramatic images offer a glimpse of the city prior to the conflict and a window on the real people who experience war and try to survive and help others around them. A beautifully told and illustrated story that offers a unique perspective on both war and humanity. (Picture book. 6-9
"This is a true story of an ordinary man with a huge heart. Despite the destruction of the Syrian war, Alaa stays in Aleppo to continue being an ambulance driver, helping hurt citizens. One day he comes across several cats, and decides to spend what little he has left on helping the felines left behind. His small gestures become big when the media finds out, sending in donations, helping not just the cats of Aleppo, but the children and neighborhood to heal. Some small kindness can turn into something life-changing. Mohammad Aljaleel is a warm, shining example of that!" - Andrew at University Bookstore in Seattle
Publisher's Weekly ★ STARRED REVIEW
In this picture book biography of an unexpected war hero, Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel ("Alaa") is first seen in the old covered market of Aleppo, his native city. When war comes to Syria, many inhabitants leave, but Alaa stays to help: as an ambulance driver, "he swerves through the rubbled streets and carries the wounded to safety." Intricate digitally colored ink drawings by Shimizu (Barbed Wire Baseball) portray scenes of desolation in this story by Latham (This Poem Is a Nest) and Shamsi-Basha, a Syrian-born writer and photographer. With meticulous care, Shimizu draws the destroyed buildings, the empty streets, and the cats that fleeing Syrians have left behind. In one striking spread, a huge olive tree towers over Alaa, two cats eyeing him from its branches. He starts bringing the strays food and water. "Together we can save them all," he tells his neighbors. Donors who hear about his efforts help him fund a sanctuary ("Alaa is able to rescue other animals, too"), a playground for children, and a well. "All he did was love the cats, and that love multiplied and multiplied again." Latham and Shamsi-Basha pick out the glimmers of light that make up Alaa's story, and Shimizu portrays their beauty. Author's notes give more information—including where to donate.
Shelf Awareness
Poet Irene Latham (Can I Touch Your Hair?) joins forces with Syrian American photojournalist Karim Shamsi-Basha to tell the heartening true story of an ambulance driver who is making war-torn Syria a better place. Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel's selfless work and immeasurable kindness have inspired people around the world, including the book's authors, whose collaboration with illustrator Yuko Shimizu befittingly spotlights Alaa's heroism for readers of all ages.
The Cat Man of Aleppo is the moving tale of a paramedic and ambulance driver who opts not to flee his homeland when the country's civil war destroys his beloved Aleppo. "He continues his work as an ambulance driver. He swerves through rubbled streets and carries the wounded to safety. He comforts and holds them. Alaa has a big heart." When people are forced to flee the war's violence, most can't take their pets along. The helpless animals are left to fend for themselves on the streets. But Alaa's heart has room for the four-legged victims as well as the two-legged ones--in addition to aiding the wounded humans, Alaa embraces the multitude of abandoned cats throughout the city. He starts out feeding the felines and showering them with love, and ultimately creates a sanctuary to keep them all safe. "Bombs may still fall, and his loved ones may never come back to Aleppo. But there is something he can do: he can look after the cats."
Latham and Shamsi-Basha simply and charmingly relate Alaa's deeds, enabling young readers to connect closely with their subject. Alaa's admirable actions offer the audience an excellent example of how simple acts of kindness can create large ripples of change. Shimizu's accompanying digital and black ink on watercolor paper illustrations carry readers directly into Alaa's world. Most children picking up the book won't have first-hand knowledge of Syria, but Shimizu's colors and textures create an authentic environment, her thorough research showing in the bright, highly detailed art. Shimizu's use of blank space and perspective are particularly effective: one double-page spread shows Alaa standing in front of a window with his head in his hands. Through the window, there is fire and smoke. All around is blackness. The desolation and terror of war reaches deep down in the reader through the darkness and expertly executed body language. Another spread takes Alaa's point of view and shows the reader his hands as he reaches reassuringly up into a tree to rescue stranded cats.
Despite the challenging subject of war, in both words and illustrations, a sense of hope permeates the whole book. Alaa's story is one of faith in humanity, the power of compassion and the benefits of altruism. "Alaa's big heart is happy. All he did was love the cats, and that love multiplied and multiplied again." At the book's conclusion, readers are sure to be eager to help, their own hearts bursting with happiness, making Alaa's love multiply even further still. --Jen Forbus, freelancer
Shelf Talker: A humble hero makes an extraordinary difference in war-torn Syria when he attempts to take care of all the city's orphaned cats.
BCCB
When the Syrian civil war breaks out, ambulance driver Alaa mourns the destruction of his beloved Aleppo and misses his friends who have fled the city. His work allows him to help wounded people, but he soon realizes that humans aren't the only Syrians who need aid. He begins by buying food and water for the abandoned cats of his neighborhood, but as word spreads of his work, donations and volunteers pour in, and Alaa builds a sanctuary for the cats and Aleppo's other four-legged residents. Based on the true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, this story portrays a beautiful and loving community rocked by violence. Alaa is a tender and dedicated hero whose big heart and simple desire to help others is inspiring. Shimizu's digitally colored paintings, echoing Edo-era Japanese art, are masterfully emotive, with the multitude of background figures given as much attention as main characters; interspersed Arabic script offers a hint of bilinguality. This story could work effectively as a readalone or a readaloud, and it feels as much like folklore as narrative nonfiction with Alaa's connection to his feline friends appearing almost magical at times. Teachers will appreciate this gentle introduction to a devastating conflict, and audiences will find solace in the reminder of humanity in the direst times. Back matter includes additional reading and links to the Cat Man's social media. KP, Starred Review
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3 The power of one person's kindness and commitment to others is a potent message. Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel's life is "a story about cats and war and people. But most of all, it is a story about love." In this book based on an actual person and real events, Latham tells the tale of an ambulance driver who chose to stay in his hometown of Aleppo, Syria, even after war broke out. He begins to come across hungry, lonely cats as he drives his ambulance. With what little money he has, he buys scraps of meat to feed the animals; he extends his efforts to other animals and children as well. With international support, Mohammad creates a sanctuary from war's devastation for animals and children. The straightforward telling is accompanied by graphically strong illustrations. The art depicts war-torn streets, bombed buildings, and great sadness but also playful cats and smiling children who have been helped by Mohammad. Notes from both authors and the illustrator provide a glimpse into the book's inspiration and the research that went into the art. VERDICT A useful addition to school and public libraries to inform and to spark discussion about war, individual potential, and kindness to animals. —Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library
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Shelf Awareness
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