May, a big black cat, and Margaux, a Cree child, have grown up together. May likes “playing in the long grass behind the house” but is “unsure of oranges.” May loves Margaux. She also tends to stay near their home, always returning by dinnertime when she does venture out. But one day she doesn’t come home by dinner, and although everyone searches for May, she’s nowhere to be found. Margaux’s auntie Nitôsis helps in the hunt before packing up the last of her things for a move to the city. As Nitôsis unpacks in her new home, she worries about Margaux and May and misses them both. An unexpected “meow” leads her to the bathroom, where she discovers May tucked inside an unpacked box. After offering a quick meal of canned salmon, Nitôsis delivers May to a grateful and relieved Margaux. “May was a cat who decided that, maybe, the best place to get lost was in the long grass behind the house, with her friend.” Author-illustrator Julie Flett offers a note to readers encouraging them to tell their own stories, followed by written explanations and charts of Cree words in the book and how to pronounce them.

From the winner of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Prize and the American Indian Youth Literature Award

I’d like to tell you a rather true story about a big black cat who started out gray. Her name was May.

Margaux and her cat May became friends when Margaux was just six years old. They grew up together, sharing countless memories along the way. But one day, May is late coming home. Where is May? Is she under the porch? Maybe on the roof?

Margaux’s nitôsis (the Cree word for auntie) helps search for May in the tall grass. But soon nitôsis needs to leave: she’s moving away to the big city, and has to pack her things into boxes. Margaux helps nitôsis, but she can’t take her mind off May. Will she ever return? nitôsis is worried, too. But little do they know, May has a surprise in store for both of them!

This fun and heartwarming story with a surprise happy ending invites readers to share their own cat stories. My Friend May is a tribute to love and the balance between all beings, and the experiences and emotions that connect us all.

My Friend May features:

• A glossary of Cree words used throughout the book
• Backmatter content that includes a pronunciation guide