A little girl’s letter to her grandmother details recent events in the life of her cat, Stripe, who has had a big belly for weeks. Stripe, of course, is pregnant, and the little girl relates a series of seemingly disconnected events that ends with the arrival of “five little Stripes.” But the letter’s final line articulates the outcome of a marvelous parallel story that has been told only in the illustrations: “By the way, I also have a new baby brother.” There have been visual clues all along, from the pillow the little girl has strapped around her middle to emulate her mother’s largely pregnant belly to the bassinette being prepared to her mother’s at-home labor, which is taking place in the background while the girl watches her laboring cat. Always wholly child-centered, Tanneke Wigersma and Nynke Mare Talsma’s terrific picture book never strays from the young girl’s viewpoint, and never reveals too much. (Ages 3–6)

The Key Colours is an international award for picture book concepts— aimed at children from ages two to seven. It was formerly called the Prix Hasselt. In 2010, there were 323 works from twenty-three different countries submitted. The winner receives a monetary prize as well as publication by Clavis Publishing House.

Originally published as Broertje in Dutch by Lemniscaat The Netherlands, in 2005.