“L’Etoile de Mo”, cat under a lucky star – Libération

A small, delicate album, with a pen drawing, recounts the epic tale of Mo setting out to find the smiling light.

It is a delicate and discreet little book, no bigger than a pocketbook, the size of a children's religion missal. On the cover, a “too cute” black cat, with a shopping bag slung over his shoulder, a scarf around his neck, it looks like it's cold. From the red and yellow leaves in the tree on his left, those that litter the ground around him, we conclude that it is autumn. First words: “Our story begins on a cold autumn night… At an hour so late that even Grandfather Owl, after his evening walk, dozes on a branch.” Almost all the inhabitants of the forest are asleep except for Mo. In the crooked oak cat's house, he tosses and turns without blinking an eye. Through the window, he sees a star that seems to smile at him. L'Etoile de Mo tells the quest of this courageous kitten to reach this smiling light.

Like any learning book, there are stages. During his journey, he meets other forest animals. Grandfather Owl suggests that he look for light in the Books in his library. After a moment Mo protests: “I've been sitting so long my butt is all flattened. I prefer to look outside than in books.” Everyone encourages him and gives him help or food: Grandfather Owl gives him a bag with a map, a jar of dried anchovy fillets and some peanuts, a couple of chickadees give him some berries,