sCATtered!: A Story of Estimation

CATastrophe tales

by Ann Marie Stephens, Jenn Harney (Illustrator)

Math-loving kittens prepare a party for their number-one grandmother in this playful picture book that demonstrates the key math concept of estimation.

The CATastrophe! cats are back, this time causing even more chaos! Nine kitties are purring with excitement for Grandma Cat’s upcoming visit. They’re going to throw her a party with cake, decorations, and a special gift. But when frantically cleaning cats misjudge how many toys they can hide in a closet, catastrophe looms. . . .

Author Ann Marie Stephens draws upon more than 30 years of teaching experience to ensure that readers absorb math while having fun in the adventure-filled CATastrophe Tale series. And Jenn Harney’s hilarious and energetic illustrations capture the antics of these enthusiastic kittens.

Each book in the CATastrophe Tale series includes helpful back matter, which shows readers that, just like the kittens, they use mathematical skills in their everyday lives. Additional titles in the series include CATastrophe!: A Story of Patterns and CATawampus!: A Story of Shapes .

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Mathematics, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2025

About the author

Ann Marie Stephens is the author of numerous picture books including the ARITHMECHICKS series, the CATastrophe! series, SO MANY BOOKS, and more. She is a retired, award-winning elementary teacher with over 30 years in the classroom. Ann Marie’s poetry and literacy work has been featured in Bon Appetit Magazine and on NPR. She is represented by Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt Agency. Visit her at www.annmariestephensbooks.com

Reviews

[Ann Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many? How long? What price? When the cat family finds out that Grandma is on her way back from Katmandu (note that cute reference!), they must clean up and prepare for her visit. How much space do they have? How many more things will fit into the closet? Then it’s time to plan a party. They use estimation again to find a gift and make a volcano cake. In fact, there are lots of oPURRtunities for estimation! In a book of adorable illustration and active text, young readers will come to love the math-y interaction. Such a clever book and, with math woven in, this is a perfect book for home and school! I was thrilled to get an advance copy to enjoy.

[Carol Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

sCATtered is a cute, super fun picture book that kids will love. Nine cheerful, adorable cats use estimation as they clean up, plan a party, and shop for a gift. How many books will fit on the bookshelf? How many toys will fit in the closet? The story is a clever way to teach the idea of estimation, making it clear that estimates should be reasonable guesses and don’t have to be exactly right. The illustrations are adorable, and the cats have a lot of personality. Back matter includes information about the process of estimating, as well as fun challenges and ideas for practice activities at home.

[Ginny Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandma’s coming and the house is a mess. So the clever kitties rush to prepare and their crazy cleanup presents many fun ways to practice estimating. The combination of Anne Marie Stephen’s clever wordplay and Jen Harney’s zany illustrations will engage even the most reluctant math students as they help solve every almost CATastrophic dilemma before Grandma’s visit.

[Shruthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really clever way to introduce the concept of estimation to children.

Enthusiastic kitties with a whole lot of personality fall over one another preparing a party for their grandmother in this delightful book. The reader is propelled through the book with the help of energetic, fun language and animated illustrations.

[TGReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The word play in this is fabulous! Great humor in this CATastrophic tail ;) What a fun way to explore the math concept of estimation. Lovely illustrations and so much heart for these cats' mission to celebrate their grandma! So many wonderful aspects of this book make it a definite recommendation for your little ones!

[Patricia Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

We don't often see books about estimating, but this one's a winner. Lots of cat puns, catchy rhyme, and plenty of mayhem as a group of wacky cats prepare for Grandma's visit. Clever visual prompts direct children to the estimation problems the cats face. After reading this book, your young one will probably want to keep practicing at home!

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't think of a better way to introduce estimation and predictions than to read this crazy-fun book with kids. The cats are adorable and their wild antics create havoc but we also see problem solving and collaboration.

This series is a hit for classrooms and at home. The text is engaging and the bright art adds another layer of excitement to an action-packed story.

[Hailey Vittrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book as a DRC. I LOVED this book! This estimation and numbers- centered book is original and clever. The math lesson that is brilliantly embedded within the book is awesome, and this would be a great resource for elementary teachers to read to their students.

[Lindsay Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This math story about estimation makes for a great read-aloud title for preschoolers. The energy in the words is matched by vibrant illustrations. It may not be a relaxing bedtime story, but this picture book is sure to garner lots of laptime between littles and their grownups.

[Tracey Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another adorable story in the CATastrophe series. I love these fun, playful, clever cats who work together to solve problems (in this case, "estimating" how many toys they can fit in a closet before a visit from Grandma). A great read-aloud and a must-have for teacher's classrooms.

[Carrie Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

With fun puns and sharp alliteration, SCATTERED! Is a great introduction to the concept of estimation for young readers.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt very… scattered. :-)

(And we need more books about estimation so I’m bummed!)

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love what this book is doing, but holy moly it is so overstimulating! I think it would be hard to share with a group, but could work for a lap read

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series of cat math learning! This is the purr-fect companion to author/illustrator duo Stephens and Harney's Catawampus.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Best for older audiences, keep a running dialogue about what's going on.

[Jessica Stremer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun book by Ann Marie Stephens! Make sure you read this along with Catawampus. Kids will love them both.

[Sandhya Acharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pawsome!
Love the rambunctious characters so much! Kids are going to have so much fun with this. STEM+ Fun