Happy Cat (I Like to Read) (I Like to Read Books) by Steve Henry (2014) Paperback

I Like to Read

by Steve Henry

The joys of giving and receiving are celebrated in this easy-to-read story about a cat who seeks shelter on a snowy day! Shivering, Cat jumps into the basement window of a small apartment building. As Cat makes his way up to a top-floor garret, Dog gives Cat a book, Rabbit gives him a plant, Bird gives him a painting, and Elephant gives him a hot drink. Cat is happy! Everyone is happy!

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

Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

June 2019 - we successfully found an easy reader where Ben could read most of it! Lots of sight words, repetition, and visual clues for harder words like elephant. I helped with words like 'happy' but he read/guessed a bunch on his own and that was super exciting. The pictures are colorful and busy, and that really helped Ben want to read it again - the illustrations add a lot to the story so it's not boring for a kindergartner.

[Cat Fithian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad easy reader. Pages are more saturated with illustration than is usual, less white space, which may be a challenge for some children, but most will enjoy the details in the illustrations. Not a bad read-aloud for younger children. I'd do animal noises with this one as Cat meets the other tenants of his building.

[Kristi Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cold cat enters an open window to get warm. As he goes up each floor of the house he not meets a number of new animal friends, but also receives a gift from each of them. Cat makes his way all the way to the top of the house, decorates his new surroundings using the gifts received on the way up and settles in the warmth to read. Each brightly illustrated page is filled with details which are helpful in predicting the text.

This title is recommended for kindergarten, or children between the ages of 4 - 8. It is leveled at the lowest level - B based on the Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading Level and focuses on reading standards for Literature and Foundational Skills in the English Language Arts Common Core Standards for kindergarten through second grade.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a super basic easy reader this is about as good as they get. My beginning reader was able to read this on her own because of the predictable text, repetitive nature of the story, and helpful illustration to text correlation. With the way the restrictions of very early readers limit an author, this is well done.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the cat is happy because he's reading a book.
11/6/17 Read with Julia.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple reader about a cat who meets different animals as he climbs to the top of his building. This would work well for a very beginning reader. Berry's just not quite there yet.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and easy reader book. My son will be reading this on his own in no time :)

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beginning reader...the story was thin but the illustrations are "loud" and busy and fun to look at.

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite early readers to give to my students. Just got a new copy. I love the illustrations and the little plot. Wow, the description and reviews here are longer than the book itself.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 Stars

[Bonnie Arriola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations.

[Angelique Jordonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice artwork.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

F&P Level B. Great illustrations to support comprehension.

[Deborah Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute - read to a couple students.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 6 year old daughter was able to read this book all by herself!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my happy place 🥰

[Kate McGinty aka Caryn Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One cold, snowy day, Cat enters the basement of an apartment building. As he makes his way upstairs to the attic, he encounters the other residents of the building. He takes something away from each encounter, and by the time he arrives at his new residence he has plenty to decorate it with -- plus a book for entertainment.

Happy Cat is a colorful, cozy story told mainly in illustrations. Each reading reveals new details in the images, and the implied messages of friendship and book-love are very positive. The short sentences and few words -- all simple -- are perfect for emerging readers. Would also be ideal for lap reading.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Because it is cold, Cat climbs inside an apartment window, and meets several friends as he heads to the top. Rat, Dog, Rabbit, Bird, and Elephant all treat him kindly. Once Cat reaches the highest spot in the apartment, he is content, having found his niche. One of the "I Like to Read" titles, this one provides practice for brand-new readers. They will enjoy looking at the colorful illustrations that show a happy cat, indeed.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cat was cold. Cat went in. Cat went up. Cat met animals. Cat reached top. Cat was happy. The illustrations in this book are delightful, showing a plump cat meeting other cartoon animals in the apartment house before he finds the perfect spot for himself. The story, however, is remarkably slight. Yes, it's designed for beginning readers and the repetition and very short sentences is good for that demographic. Still, there's just not much in the way of content here.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple text that reads like a decodable reader but with whimsical, vividly colored illustrations, this book will appeal to a variety of young readers. When Cat is cold and enters a house through the basement window, he is not only warmed but meets different animals on each level of the house as he makes his way up. All the way up to the attic, where he happily reads a book in a cozy window seat.

[Emerson and Theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an interesting phase of reading with Emerson. We've been reading sophisticated books on so many topics (trucks, oceans, animals, nature, etc) and now as he is actually reading, his books have reached an all time simplicity: basically little plot, no facts, just a few words. Boring and exciting and challenging all at the same time! We really enjoyed the illustrations on this one. He could sound out most of the words and it featured a lot of popcorn/sight words.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic tale that will help young children learn sight words. The narrative is very short and the illustrations are very colorful and detailed (almost to the point of distraction.).

The cat is cartoonish and cute and I really liked the watercolor, gouache, ink and brown craft paper illustrations.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short sentences on each page with bright, colorful illustrations make this an ideal book for children just learning to read. A cold cat goes inside to get warm and meets friends along the way. Recommended for ages 2-4.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this early reader book. The pictures are such fun to look at with all the incredible details. It is a story about giving and making friends. Another book I cannot wait to adapt into a classroom lesson. 5 stars

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purrrfect!

[Leona · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute little kitty comes into a house and meets all the animals in the house. pics are too busy for storytime. even though easy reader, would be great for lap book for toddler.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor cat is cold and finds a great way to meet friends and get warm. Young readers will delight with the colorful and engaging illustrations and easy to follow text.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy Cat is happy because he meets lots of friends throughout his building. The text is almost too easy, but the illustrations are delightfully detailed.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple words about a cat finding his place at the top of a house of animals.

[Cemeread · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for beginner readers.