Glitter Kittens

by William Joyce

From the bestselling creator of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore comes a sparkling picture book about glittery kittens whose vanity annoys their friends until their dazzling looks draw the attention of a monster.

Flash, Flare, Twinkle, and Sparkle Tangerine are the most glimmery, glitzy, fabulous kittens ever, and they love nothing more than talking about their favorite themselves. Their best best friends get fed up with the bragging and come up with a a game of hide-and-seek where the glittery felines hide and everyone else counts to one million and three. Then, as the kittens hide in a cave, the shimmer-free friends conveniently forget to count.

But THEN, a Glitter-Eating Monster spies the kittens’ glitter trail and starts to follow it, ready for a snack. And now there are choices to make. Do the best best friends intervene? Do the kittens dare to step out of the spotlight?

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Cats, Animals, Monsters, Childrens, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

William Joyce does a lot of stuff—films, apps, Olympic curling—but children’s books are his true bailiwick (The Numberlys, The Man in the Moon, Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King, Toothiana, and the #1 New York Times bestselling The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, which is also an Academy Award–winning short film, to name a few). He lives with his family in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Reviews

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

F&G: Quirky and charming. Not for everyone, but certain kids will adore it.

[kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was a sensory overload for me. The concept is fun, but the execution felt chaotic. Probably great for kids who love glitter and textures everywhere.

[Vincent Desjardins · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long time fan of William Joyce, when I saw he had written a book called "Glitter Kittens," I worried that it would be some inconsequential piece of fluff aimed at toddlers. Though this book may be aimed at a slightly younger audience than his great picture book epics like "Santa Calls" or "The Leaf Men," it is still filled with his trademark wit and humor, not to mention a lesson about the nature of friendship and heroism.

The four glitter kittens of this story, Flash, Flair, Twinkle and Sparkle Tangerine are so glittery that they can hardly help being narcissistic. They know that their glitter makes them Fabulous and feel that the glow of their glitter is a gift to their less dazzling friends. But those friends, who the Glitter Kittens feel are their BFFs, aren't quite as invested in the friendship. As a matter of fact, Stilts, Dimitri, Mr. Spudly, Clinky (and the Berkowitzes), Tickles, Crash, Dribbles and Lacey like hiding from the Glitter Kittens, preferring to shield themselves from the overpowering glare of the kittens' bright glitter, not to mention to be spared from the kittens' boasting statements about how glittery they are.

This group of ragtag friends, made up of a tall bird (?), an earthworm, a potato (who with his monocle and top hat looks a bit like Mr. Peanut), an empty bottle filled with a family of gnats, a pill bug, a paper airplane, a cracked spoon and a solitary tennis shoe realize they aren't glittery and glamorous like the kittens but they are perfectly happy being the way they are. After suggesting a game of hide and seek, they let the Glitter Kittens go into hiding and then conveniently "forget" to go and look for them. When a glitter-eating monster appears, the friends realize that unless they do something, the kittens will be in danger.

I won't spoil the ending, but I will say there is a nice twist along the way, lots of heroics, lots of glitter and a happy ending. This may not be one of my favorite William Joyce books, but I did enjoy its subtle humor, its funny characters and its silly adventure.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much as I love the work of Bill Joyce, this one just doesn't hold up as well as his previous work. It's much too sweet and has no edge...and such a disappointment.

When the 4 Glitter Kittens decide to 'brighten their unshiny world', they have a difficult time finding their 'friends' who are hiding from them. The friends tell the kittens to count to a 'million and three'. Along comes a Glitter-Eating Monster who sees the Glitter Kittens' tracks. The friends chase after the monster, stopping him when he starts to vacuum up the GK's. He turns on them and begins to suck them up (since they are covered with GK glitter. The GKs come to their friends' rescue.

And this saccharine-sweet story comes to an end - thank goodness. Unfortunately, there is no real tension or problem to be found here. It comes across as a one-off joke. Glittery/blingy girls will love it. Most will probably not, finding it boring.

The glittery artwork is a bit gimmicky; it is throughout the book, which was rendered in colored pencil on Arches 40ply watercolor paper with digital watercolor washes, and glitter. The faces of the kittens are not what i would call sweet or charming; they are kinda scary. There is the usual Joyce charm/magic in all of GK's friends - each carries a personality all its own. They are shown on both sets of endsheets.

An optional purchase for PreSchool-grade 1.

[Dorothea Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love William Joyce. His books are so entertaining and so creative, and I always feel like a kid when I read them; an educated kid, but a kid nonetheless. To be honest, this wasn't my favorite book by Mr. Joyce. I felt like it was lacking something, but I couldn't name it. Maybe that's because I didn't have any glitter on me during my first read. What I did like and appreciate greatly was his way of tacling the topics of vanity, self-awareness, and ultimately friendship. To showcase vanity through simple but effective glitter illustrations, self awareness through the simple eye movements of secondary characters, and ultimately deliver true friendship in the end just shows how incredible his talent is. Reading this can certainly open up many conversations for parents and teachers alike about the pitfalls of vanity, but also being aware that your actions and thoughts can have consequences far beyond your brain.

It's not MY favorite William Joyce book, but I still loved it and find it's value for children priceless.

[Rosey Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children loved this book! It’s about friendship and sacrifices but in a good cute way. 4 Glitter kittens are so glittery but their friends are not. When they are threatened to be eaten by a glitter monster their friends run to save them and they in turn sacrifice their glitter to save their friends. The book is adorable and even though my kids are young they understood immediately the sacrifice that the glitter kittens gave up to help their friends shine. My kids each chose a glitter kitten to be and took turns singing the song in the book! Adorable. Thank you to Simon Kids for this #gifted copy. Such a cute fun read.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glitter is the only thing going for this picture book which is otherwise chaotic, poorly illustrated, and odd (and not in a good-odd way). The singing is weird and the text doesn't flow, feels stilted, and all wrong, like an ill-fitting pair of glittery socks, cuteish but not functional.

Themes: cats, monsters, friendship
Ages: 1-2nd grade
Pub year: 2025

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the best part of this book is the textured glitter added to the kittens and the pages of the story. It really makes everything pop

Otherwise, this picture book is certainly a cute read with wholesome and sweet characters, but readers familiar with Joyce’s books will definitely note a change in tone. This book doesn’t feel quite as put together as some of his other reads.

[Pinky LO · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could anyone not give this a 5 star review? Opening up the book, the end papers immediately won me over. Story is relatable and playful. The art is detailed and whimsical. The characters feel as if they came from a child's imagination and their names (!) 10/5

[Mariann · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is sparkly and that alone may draw the eyes of young readers, but it's odd and not in a good way. The text and storyline are choppy and doesn't flow. I got the vibe that a child was telling the story after hearing it elsewhere. If this was intentional it was not done well.

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Joyce at his best.

[deedee watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

mr. spudly looks like that one apple picture

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solidly a 2.5

I can see how certain kids would Adore this, but not a hit for me, personally or in my work.

[Arman Waggoner · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fun quick read while your Parents are Shopping.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

For those kids who love glitter and cats.

[Valerie Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

What the heck

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

WEIRD. I love it.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

strange and delightful

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book because it was funny

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tactile readers are going to love this one.

[Kelly Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 of my favorite things combined, but left me confused and overwhelmed. But maybe littles will love the adventure and brightness of this one a bit more than my adult eyes did.

[Lee Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Textured pages were a hit in this story about how friendship (and numbers) can overcome obstacles.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fun interactive read for stage 1 students

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!