Luca and the Unwanted Cats of Rome
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
Luca, a wise and caring orange tabby cat, watches over hundreds of abandoned cats in a historic open pit in Rome, Italy. While perched on top of ancient columns and pillars, Luca takes charge of the sick, old, and unwanted cats of Italy. Riding daily on tram 8 throughout the city, Luca searches for cats in trouble. Using his natural wiles and instinct, Luca brings them back to the pit for treatment, friendship, and a pathway for adoption. This universal tale of leadership, love, and the need for a family will enthrall children and adults.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
28 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Luca felt when he first met the unwanted cats, and why?
What can we learn about friendship from Luca's actions towards the cats?
What would you do if you were in Luca's position and found the unwanted cats?
How can we help animals or people in our community who might feel unwanted or alone?
What does Luca's story teach us about compassion and taking initiative?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences with feeling left out or helping others, drawing parallels to the book.
Ask them to think about what emotions they may feel if they were in a similar situation as Luca, aiding in emotional development.
Discuss the importance of empathy and action, suggesting ways your child can make a difference in their own community.
Prompt your child to think about friendships and how they can be kind and welcoming to everyone, similar to Luca’s behavior with the cats.
Foster a spirit of proactive kindness by brainstorming with your child on ways to care for pets or support animal shelters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: In the story, Luca shows kindness to the unwanted cats of Rome despite their initial rejection. His persisting empathy helps the cats to trust and befriend him.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to show kindness and understanding to others, even when they seem different or distant. This fosters positive relationships and inclusive behavior at school and in social settings.
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: Luca does not give up on the stray cats despite facing challenges. His continuous efforts help him to make a positive impact in their lives.
Real-World Application: This story teaches children that persistence can lead to positive outcomes and encourages them to keep trying, even when faced with difficulties in their tasks or goals.
Example Lesson: Taking initiative to make a difference
Explanation: Luca takes proactive steps to care for the cats and improve their situation without waiting for others to help first.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to take action in areas they are passionate about, whether helping animals, the environment, or people in need, demonstrating that individual actions can contribute to community improvement.
Example Lesson: Value of responsibility
Explanation: By taking on the care of the cats, Luca learns about the responsibilities that come with looking after others.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to take responsibility for their own pets, belongings, or chores around the house, understanding that their actions significantly impact others.