Niblet & Ralph by Zachariah OHora has a real classic look to it but at the same time it gives it a refreshing look. There is nothing flashy about the illustrations therefore, it does not distract from the story itself. Also, while there is detail, they are subtle and you have to pay attention to them. The humor of the unrealness of the cats talking on the phone will have the younger crowd snickering but all ages will relate to the fact that sometimes you cannot always be with your friends.
The story continues when the two friends do find a way to visit each other, however, it does not go as planned. The mix-up between the two cat friends is funny and the fact that the families are “different” but it is not made a big deal of is also refreshing. This symbol of Niblet and Ralph being almost the same, but different, is not heavily obvious, but it is there: we can look the same but be different or we can look different and be similar. The two families are different: one is a mom and child, one a dad and child and they are different races; but they are also have similar qualities: both are single parents, both love cats and the children are about the same age.
Overall this book is a nice book for cat lovers. It is also a nice book to give to a child if they have questions about “Why does Mary look different from me, Bob while we both love swing sets?” or Just to have a fun reading time book.