• Age: 5 to 9
• Grade: k to 4

Hannah loves palindromes. She even speaks in them! When Otto the cat runs away, Hannah and his owner go on a wordplay-filled quest to find him. But they, too, become lost. To get everyone home, Hannah will need a forward-and-backward-thinking solution. One thing's for certain: She's found a new friend--and if she ever asks his name, she'll see just how well matched they are. Written by debut picture book author Laura Bontje and illustrated by Emma Lidia Squillari, Was It a Cat I Saw? will delight readers who like their language silly and their friendships sincere.

Laura Bontje's profile page

Emma Lidia Squillari's profile page

Laura Bontje: Like most writers and editors, I've loved reading since before I can remember. I also love the mechanics of language. I find the rules of grammar reassuring rather than daunting, and I'm fascinated by linguistics. I was raised in Calgary, Alberta, and now live in London, Ontario. I've worked as a teacher, in the library system, and in the nonprofit industry – through it all, writing and editing have always been my greatest passions. As an author, I am represented by James McGowan at BookEnds Literary Agency. Stay tuned for news of my upcoming picture books, Was It a Cat I Saw? (Amicus Ink, 2024) and When the Air Sang (Annick Press, 2025). Outside the literary sphere, my hobbies include traveling, board games, and going on imaginative adventures with my young kids. I'll never say no to a trivia game: I love Trivial Pursuit, and I've auditioned for Jeopardy! three times (no luck yet, though!).

Born in northern Italy to an American mother and Italian father, Illustrator and author EMMA LIDIA SQUILLARI grew up surrounded by picture books, cementing her love of books at an early age. She studied illustration at Bologna's Academy of Fine Arts and has since published books both in Italy and abroad. She enjoys listening to the radio and looking after her houseplants while worrying over her watercolors.