Author & Illustrator: Patricia Polacco
Publisher: Philomel
Publication Year: 1992
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee
Awards: Jane Adams Peace Assoc. and Women's Intl. League for Peace and Freedom Honor,
Summary: Larnel and his mother go to visit the recently widowed Mrs. Katz. The next day he brings her a kitten (Tush) and agrees to come back and help her with him. A friendship grows between the two of them, and many parallels are drawn between the Jewish people and African-Americans. Larnel shares Passover with Mrs. Katz and celebrates the birth of Tush's kittens. "at last I am a bubee" At the end, Mrs. Katz stays a member of Larnel's family and becomes bubee to his children.
Classroom Ideas: The theme of friendship between generations, races, and love between different people is so very lovely here.
