Even the best cat in the world doesn't live forever, and Victor is very sad when his beloved cat, Charlie, dies. His mother suggests getting a new cat, but Victor isn't so sure. Finally, when the vet tells Victor she has another cat that really needs a home, Victor agrees to give the new cat a chance.

But the new cat, Shelley, isn't like Charlie. She doesn't look like Charlie, or act like Charlie, or like to do the things Charlie used to do. With all these differences, is there any chance that Victor can learn to accept and love Shelley?

Lesléa Newman's gentle story honors the full range of a child's feelings after losing a favorite pet, while Ron Himler's soft pencil and watercolor illustrations capture Victor's poignant emotions as well as the playful antics of his new kitten.