Cool Cats in Children’s Lit

October 29th is National Cat Day and in honor of this day, I'd like to share some of my all-time favorite cat-centric reads for children, as well as some newly published books to discover. 

As a librarian and cat lover (I have two of my own—Moira Rose and Mojo Sloth), I inwardly squeal with delight when new books featuring felines arrive at our branch for processing. From picture books to middle-grade fiction, cats often play a starring role. After all, what's not to love about cats? They're cute, playful, and always up to some scheme or another. The number of cool cats in children's literature now might surprise you! Let's take this opportunity to celebrate National Cat Day by looking at some fabulous furry felines in children's books today. 

An extremely cool cat who will have you feeling fancy-free and groovy is Pete the Cat, the literary creation of James Dean, Kim Dean and Eric Litwin. This blue cat who loves surfing, playing baseball and guitar, spending time with his friends, and trying new things will be sure to win your heart. Pete the Cat has broad appeal due to the variety of formats offered - picture books, I Can Read books for beginning readers, and songbooks. Another sure to please feline is Splat the Cat, by Ron Scotton. Splat is not as self-assured as Pete but is adorable in his frazzled way. Whether visiting the doctor, acting in the school play, or sending a Valentine, Splat always seems to find the inner strength he needs to conquer his fears. Rounding out the trio of fantastic felines for beginner readers is Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel. Bad Kitty doesn't try to be bad, per se, but she does always seem to end up wreaking havoc on her family's home. The Bad Kitty series will take young readers from beginner books through about a third-grade reading level, and the sarcastic humor in the chapter books will have kids in stitches.

Speaking of books for middle-grade readers, the Warriors, by Erin Hunter is a must-read. This epic world-building series starts with Into the Wild. For generations, four clans of wild cats have shared the forest. When their warrior code is threatened by mysterious deaths, a house cat named Rusty may turn out to be the bravest warrior of all. Recommended for readers in grades four through eight, this series will satisfy reluctant readers with its attention-grabbing and suspenseful writing, as well as the most voracious young readers who will have you running back to the library for more. And they won't be disappointed; there are many books in this series and its off-shoots-- over 85 books at my last count! If you are wondering how one person could write that many books, well… they didn't. Erin Hunter is the collective pseudonym used for The Warriors. Four children's book authors contributed to the series, including Tui T. Sutherland, author of the Wings of Fire series for middle-grade readers.

Stick Cat is a cartoony chapter book for anyone who loves to laugh. This chapter book for fourth through eighth-graders will appeal to lovers of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and Timmy Failure. The author is Tom Watson, well-known for his first series, Stick Dog. The tone is silly, and the hijinks are hilarious. There are only four titles in this limited series, but they are worth it!

The books I've mentioned so far are only the tip of the cat’s tail, though these are the ones I find myself recommending to young readers and their parents most often. Their broad appeal makes them a perfect choice for readers of all different levels, including YOU, dear reader! Don't be afraid to pick up one of these books and see what all the feline fuss is about. 

Negative Cat by Sophie Blackall

Two-time Caldecott winner Sophie Blackall spins a winning tale about Max, a feline whose behavior doesn't win any raves, except from the boy who believes in him and finds a way to turn a negative into a positive.

When a boy is FINALLY allowed to get a cat, he has no doubts about which one to bring home from the shelter. But Max the cat isn't quite what the family expected. He shuns the toy mouse, couldn't care less about the hand-knitted sweater, and spends most of his time facing the wall. One by one, the family gives up on Max, but the boy loves his negative cat so much, he'll do anything to keep him. Even the thing he dreads most- practicing his reading. Which, as it turns out, makes everything positive!

Cat Problems by John Jory and Lane Smith

What could a pampered house cat possibly have to complain about? This latest collaboration from picture book superstars--and cat devotees--Lane Smith and Jory John brings with it a hilarious set of feline problems!

See the Dog: Three Stories about a Cat by David LaRochelle

What happens when a cat tries to be a dog? With this second wry primer, the creators of See the Cat return to demonstrate that standing in for a friend can be trickier than expected.

The dog is sick today, but have no fear--the cat is happy to take his place! But when the book (who is very bossy) tells her to dig a hole, the dirt-averse cat finds a way to accomplish the task while keeping her fur pristine. And when the boy demands that she fetch a stick (in the water!) or guard a sheep (from a wolf!), the cat responds in very un-doglike ways. Can the boy and the cat reach a happy ending? With simple, repetitive phrases and tongue-in-cheek humor, this spoof on a classic early reader pits a well-meaning but slightly dramatic cat against a highly persistent boy in a comical battle of wits that will have kids yowling.

Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey

A pioneering new graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of the internationally bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series. Naomi, Melvin, Pedro, and Poppy are just a few of the twenty-one rambunctious, funny, and talented baby frogs who share their stories in the Cat Kid Comic Club. 

Cat Ninja by Matthew Cody and Yehudi Mercado

Beware, villains! Cat Ninja may appear to be nothing more than a silly internet meme, but he is evil's greatest enemy, and the silent master of Kat Fu and carpet scratching! From Epic! Originals, Cat Ninja is a hilarious graphic novel series about a lovable cat with a heroic alter-ego.

The Thirteenth Cat by Mary Downing Hahn

From master of middle grade horror Mary Downing Hahn, a new thriller about bravery, unexpected friendship, and sinister cats that will captivate readers with its chilling mix of mystery and magic. Zoey loves spending the summer with her Aunt Alice, and her aunt's new house is the perfect place to cozy up with a good book. But she's unnerved by the overgrown forest next door, which is creepy even in the daytime and full of eerie sounds at night. Worse, there are rumors in town of a dark force in those woods. And Zoey can't deny that the wild black cats who live there seem to be watching her.

Da Vinci’s Cat: A Novel by Catherine Gilbert Murdock & Paul O. Zelinsky

Two unlikely friends--Federico, in sixteenth-century Rome, and Bee, in present-day New Jersey--are linked through an amiable cat, Leonardo Da Vinci's mysterious wardrobe, and an eerily perfect sketch of Bee. Newbery Honor author Catherine Gilbert Murdock's Da Vinci's Cat is a thrilling, time-slip fantasy about rewriting history to save the present. This inventive novel will engross anyone who loved When You Reach Me and A Wrinkle in Time.

- by Caitlin Decker, West Windsor Branch