Samantha Schenatzky 2026

Abstract

Home is a 32-page picture book that narrates the journey of a little black cat in search of a home. As an orphan, he encounters a series of individuals and communities, each of whom rejects or marginalizes him in different ways. These encounters collectively illustrate the persistent stigma associated with black cats and, more broadly, the mechanisms through which exclusion is enacted. Drawing on documented disparities in the adoption rates of black-furred animals, Home uses the form of a children's picture book to examine themes of stigma, rejection, and acceptance. It explores the question: How can a story about whether a black cat finds a home cast light on experiences of family and belonging?