Through the Eyes of Angel: Exploring Life’s Lessons with Ross Alan Hahn

“A young kitten is a gently accessible character with whom young readers can identify. She’s full of energy and curiosity.”
– Ross Alan Hahn

Through his heartwarming children’s novel The Adventures of Angel: A Kitten’s Story, award-winning author Ross Alan Hahn introduces readers to Angel, a tiny, perfectly white kitten born in the sock drawer of a New England farmhouse. This tale follows Angel’s journey from newborn to adolescence as she navigates the world with energy and curiosity, learning valuable life lessons along the way. Hahn, a lifelong cat lover and seasoned musician, draws on his personal experiences to craft a story that is both relatable and endearing. As Hahn explains, “A young kitten is a gently accessible character with whom young readers can identify. She’s full of energy and curiosity.”

Ross Alan Hahn’s journey to becoming an author is as rich and varied as the story he tells. Born in Normal, Illinois, Hahn moved frequently throughout the Midwest and Eastern states as his parents, both professors, pursued their academic careers. Eventually settling in Newtonville, Massachusetts, Hahn attended Newton North High School and later graduated from Bridgewater State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. His college years marked the beginning of an active and ongoing music career, during which he developed his skills as a performing guitarist and composer.

Hahn’s love of music is a central part of his life. He was happily married to his wife Audrey, a talented musician in her own right, until her passing in 2016. Together, they formed the band “Psychedelic Relics,” which performed music from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, with Hahn as the lead guitarist. The band maintains a busy concert schedule to this day, continuing to share their love for classic tunes.

In addition to his music career, Hahn has dedicated himself to teaching. Since 2012, he has brought his passion for music to Shore Country Day School in Beverly, Massachusetts, where he instructs students in grades 1-9 in guitar. His dedication to nurturing young minds is evident not only in his teaching but also in his writing.

Today, Hahn’s love for creative writing rivals his passion for music. The Adventures of Angel: A Kitten’s Story is his first novel for children and holds a special place in his heart as a gift to the daughter he never had. The book serves as an allegory, with Angel’s experiences mirroring the challenges and growth that human girls face from Pre-K through middle school. Through Angel’s adventures—whether she’s being chased by hummingbirds or bravely standing up to a fox—Hahn explores themes of friendship, self-confidence, and bravery.

Know more about his story in this exclusive interview.

TWB: “The Adventures of Angel” follows the journey of a kitten. What inspired you to tell a story from the perspective of a feline protagonist, and how did you approach capturing the unique essence of a kitten’s experiences?

RAH: A young kitten is a gently accessIble character with whom young readers can identify. She’s full of energy and curiosity. I grew up in households with cats and they have been best friends, confidants and adorable. Angel’s story is an allegory, in this case a human story told by kittens. As kittens will age from toddler to teen within their first year, Angel’s experiences follow themes that human girls experience from Pre-K through middle school. The perspective of a kitten allows girls to relate to Angel’s growth and challenges with similar issues in their own lives.

TWB: Animals often bring joy and comfort to readers, especially in children’s literature. How do you believe stories featuring animal characters contribute to the emotional and imaginative development of young readers?

RAH: Stories told by animals offer the reader a chance to imagine the characters freely. A world truly its own. The reader can feel what Angel is feeling across a range of emotions.

TWB: The title suggests a series of adventures. Can you share some of the challenges and delights you encountered in crafting a narrative that keeps readers engaged while maintaining the innocence and charm of a kitten’s perspective?

RAH: A kitten is the personification of innocence. The story weaves together a series of life lessons through her eyes. Perhaps the biggest challenge was to make the story as “low-tech” as possible. There are no mentions of social media, computer tech or even television to distract the readers. Aside from the family car, a tractor and the home telephone there are no modern devices to distract from the story. Angel’s story can be of any time period.

TWB: Illustrations are crucial in children’s books. How did you collaborate with the illustrator to ensure that the visuals complemented and enhanced the storytelling, particularly in conveying the playful and endearing nature of Angel?

RAH: The illustrations follow the action of the story and are featured on the page opposite of the corresponding text. I had a marvelous time describing the action of each frame in detail. Working with the marvelous illustrators, I chose bright colors and simple lines to express the art. The cover art is, of course, a photo of an actual white kitten with blue eyes laying in a farm basket. A red ribbon was added to match the story.

TWB: Animal stories often convey subtle life lessons. What messages or values do you hope young readers will take away from “The Adventures of Angel,” and how do you balance entertainment with imparting meaningful themes in a children’s book?

RAH: As Angel grows through the challenges and joys of discovering friendship, self-confidence and bravery, she stands up to a bully, makes new friends all the while learning more about herself and the world she lives in. Through her adventures she evolves from a helpless toddler to the heroine whose bravery saves those she loves even at the risk of her own life.

TWB: Your book received the prestigious BREW Children’s Book Excellence Award. How did you feel when you learned about this recognition, and how has it impacted your writing career?

RAH: The book is a gift to the daughter I never had. Upon learning that BREW had awarded Angel as Children’s Book of the Year I was elated that Angel’s story has reached its intended audience. While the award personally gratifying of course, my greatest joy is knowing that there are young readers embracing Angel’s story and making it their own. I am forever grateful to BREW for all the superb work it does promoting children’s literature world-wide. A sequel is on the way.

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“My greatest joy is knowing that there are young readers embracing Angel’s story and making it their own.”
– Ross Alan Hahn

Useful Links

The Adventures of Angel by Ross Alan Hahn is a recipient of the BREW Seal of Excellence and the winner of the BREW Children’s Book Excellence Award 2023 Book of the Year title, among other accolades.

Get a copy of the book here.
Read the book’s BREW review here.
Visit the author’s profile on Goodreads here.
Know more about the BREW Book, Blog, and Poetry Awards here.

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