Big Cat (I Like to Read Books) by Ethan Long

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by Ethan Long

Geisel-medalist Ethan Long s newest easy reader is for true beginners, offering laughs, a lovable and patient cat, and the simplest vocabulary possible. Two rowdy siblings love playing with their oversized kitty. They wake him up from a nap so he can fly and dance around the room while being smothered with hugs. But as Big Cat endures his final humiliation being dressed in a wig, hat, and high heels it s apparent that despite the discomfort, Big Cat loves his family. Long s long-suffering, big-bellied, feline is sure to charm readers. His understated text and hilarious characters with looney expressions will have readers rolling on the ground."

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Humor

Paperback

First published February 1, 2016

About the author

Ethan Long is a popular, award-winning and internationally recognized children's book author and illustrator with over 70 children's books, a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award and an Emmy-nominated television series to his credit. Just about all of his awake time is spent writing stories, drawing pictures and spending time with his family. Since graduating from Ringling College of Art and Design in 1991, Ethan has never stopped evolving, challenging his creative approach with each new project while constantly honing his instantly identifiable style. Born and raised in Central Pennsylvania, his childhood memories serve as inspiration for many of his drawings and stories. He currently lives with his wife and three children in beautiful Orlando, Florida, USA and flip flops seamlessly between being a world famous children's book author and a stay-at-home dad.

Reviews

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for my 4 yr old to read. Very repetitive words so your little one can be familiar with those key words that will be introduced in kindergarten. Cute book and the illustration was funny.

[Dolly · Rating 2 out of 5]

How not to treat your cat. The simple, repetitive narrative and cute, cartoonish illustrations are sure to appeal to young readers, but as a cat owner, the way these children interact with their pet makes me cringe.

May 2020 update: I waited a few months to see if my opinion had changed on this book. Perhaps I was just a bit grumpy or judgmental. I read the book again.

Nope.

Meh.

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustration of the cat dressed up has my vote!!
Great beginning reader. I like finding these books - made up of mostly sight words but actually is humorous and fun to read. That's how you hook readers, give them something they can read on their own that is fun.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Big Cat can nap.

Premise/plot: Big Cat is an I Like To Read book published by Holiday House. It features two siblings: a brother and a sister. Both LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to play with "Big" Cat. Does Big Cat love to play with them too?!

My thoughts: The text is simple and a bit repetitive. Some sentences repeat. But the text combined with the illustrations make for one great entertaining story. The text tells a simple story. The illustrations tell a whole other story. They add humor and some depth to the story. The text perhaps tells the story from the point of view of the children. The illustrations perhaps tell the story from the point of view of the CAT. Illustrations are a big part of reading and learning to read.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the "I Like to Read" series, this simple book features a very big and very patient cat, illustrated on various pages through digital artwork. Each page starts with the same words--"Big Cat can..." and then proceeds to identify something that Big Cat can do. Young readers and those of us who live with cats will smile as Big Cat goes from doing what cats love to do best--sleep--to waking, flying through the air, hiding, and running, and finally, the ultimate indignity for a feline--being dressed up in human clothing, to the amusement of his human companions. The final page shows that despite the way the youngsters have pestered poor old Big Cat, they really do love him. I must relate that Big Cat must be one of the most tolerant cats around since none of my cats have ever stayed still long enough for me to put more than a warm fleece around them. Putting on a hat and shoes? Nah! That's never going to happen in my household. Youngsters will enjoy reading this one and building their reading confidence.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

very simple but very cute for cat lovers

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

What awesome illustrations! A fun addition to Toddler Storytime. Very short sentences - a perfect for reading with a child who is just starting to read.

[Casandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and perfect for story time!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big Cat by Ethan Long illustrated by Ethan Long. EARLY READER. Holiday House, 2016. $15. 9780823435388.

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE: LOW

Big Cat is a simple story about a big cat. It lists several things the cat can do, like nap, dance, and hide.

Big Cat has no more than 4 words to a page, and the first 3 words are “Big cat can”. While this would be great for a child who is learning to read, it is not all that rewarding, as there is no plot. The only character is the cat, and possibly the girl who is seen in the pictures with it. My children found Big Cat boring, including my child who is learning to read.

Reviewer: AR/SL
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Nicholette Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes in picture books the less color the better. Throughout this whole book there are only a few colors being shown and I think it ties the whole book together. The words are simple and repetitive so the drawings and color match that. When kids read this book they'll see one picture along with one sentence.

This book is a Caldecott winner and in some cases I think it deserved and award, but when reading other colored books it might not have the pizzazz as other ones. The pictures are well drawn and flow with the book really nicely so I think that's where it deserves the reward. I would read this to my children.

[Meg McGregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girls and I simply adore Big Cat!

He just looks, too darn cute, all dressed up!

I once had a kitty that could have been called "Big Cat!" Her name was Jumbo! Any guesses why?

I have always had a soft spot, in my heart, for the "misfit" dogs and cats!

Any owner who decides to get a "misfit" will almost always get the most loving and loyal pet imaginable!

Oh, the review. Sorry. This book is a fantastic easy reader book!

Lexi read it three times to Victoria; and then I helped Victoria read it, "all by herself!"

[Sunah Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl and a boy play with a cat. A girl wakes up napping cat and dance with the cat. A boy dresses the cat up like a lady for fun. They love their cat, and the cat also loves them. This simple story is illustrated with warm colors and bold lines with simple texts. “Big cat can~” is the major sentence structure with diverse verbs. This book is appropriate for beginner readers to encourage their imaginations and love for an animal.

[Marissa Donchess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me think a lot about my childhood with my dog Tara. When I was younger I would always dress my dog up in tutus and bows and little outfits that I would have on my build-a-bears. This book is great to read in an any day setting. The pictures are very silly because they draw the oversize cat very creativley. This book would be great to use to cheer up your students or child that is in a grumpy mood because it put a smile on my face.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book for young kids learning how to read. Ethan Long is a good author for children book's. (And the cat is very cute!)
This book is $14.95 I do not think it is worth the price (better to get it from the library).

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about as simple as you can get while still having a character and a plot. Repetitive, predictable text makes this a great choice for the very very beginning reader. Cartoonish illustrations keep it fresh and fun. Highly recommended for ages 4-7.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ethan Long is long on his collected works for short ones, and big on heart. Big Cat, the Long and the short of it, is a celebration of big kitty cats in the house, and all the fun that can ensue. Little on plot, but the fun can still be...Long, y'know?
Three stars
Big Cat Of Coolness!

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very cute! I love how the text is simple but the illustrations are so expressive (perfect for an early reader!).
I'm a little iffy about the treatment of the cat though. It worries me that kids will read this and think it's okay to treat their cat that way.

[Chris Hays · Rating 3 out of 5]

This simple text book falls in line with a Dr. Seuss style book. Mr. Long wins again with great illustrations and representation of the story in the pictures.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too simple and boring - no real storyline. But, it does have great pictures! I won't be using it for story time.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for baby/toddler storytimes because of the short sentences and big pictures

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning Reader
Love the expressions on cat's face as he plays with the kids.
Simple sentence structure for early readers.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short children’s primer about the activities of a cat. Well illustrated with a fun little story!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

November 2019 - Ben read the whole thing himself, with just a tiny bit of help sounding out a few words, and taking lots of cues from the illustrations.

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and simple learn to read book.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple words, funny pictures, great book fir cat lovers and kids! 🐱

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early reader book that is big on pictures. Could be a tiny bit longer.

[K]

Big cat can be funny. They dressed up the big cat.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fat Cat loves his girl and boy and the fun activities they do together.

Gato Gordo ama a su niña y su niño y las actividades divertidas que hacen juntos.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very simplistic story intended, I believe, to be an early reader book. My kids thought it was funny, but I found it boring.

[Joy Keil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good later kindergarten book. Pictures are sufficient prompts for more challenging words.