15 NOVEMBER 1902, Page 8

Only a Kitten. By E. M. Mian. (T. Fisher Unwin.

3s. 6d.) —This is a collection of short stories embodying the moral that the Ancient Mariner learnt a little too late, and one that many people never learn at all. Most children would recognise in one or other of these stories some incident akin to a recollection of their own, and for this reason we recommend Only a Kitten. The stories are readable, and include most of the domestic pets. It is most important that children should learn, not only kindness, but

thoughtfulness, while their minds are impressionable. Fondness for pets does not always mean kindness. How many grown-up

people does one not know who keep pets, but delegate their care to others? Such animals/are often only a nuisance to themselves and an eyesore to humanity.