Originally written as a ballet, Juliana Cuddles by Amy Arnaz is the second title in the Little Haley Stories, a series for intermediate readers that is always touching and contains enriching parables. Loosely autobiographical and complimented by a dozen photographs, the author draws on her niece, Desiree, for inspiration. Little Desiree wants a cat. Not just any cat, she wants a cat that costs $800 and wears a diamond necklace. Her cousin, Haley, has three cats—all of them strays. How can Haley love those stray cats? This question bothers Desiree, but with deep soul searching on her own, she realizes that love is not about what money can buy – it is about two hearts finding each other. That’s when she asks her father to take her to the animal shelter to see about a little kitten with four white paws. Their eyes meet and the two lonely souls fall in love with each other. Desiree has found real love—in the form of a little girl kitten with four white paws.
