Cat Got a Lot (I Like to Read) by Steve Henry

I Like to Read

by Steve Henry

This warm story about a cat who goes looking for a fish and winds up with a lot more celebrates friendship and generosity.Cat wants a fish. He ventures out in search of one and comes across a horn in the window of a music shop that he thinks his neighbor Elephant might like, so Cat buys it. Cat's search for a fish continues when he encounters a bookstore. Certainly bookworm Dog would enjoy a new book, so Cat buys him one. Cat's sweep of generosity continues as he buys presents for all his friends. In his surge of excitement to give everyone their new gifts, Cat almost forgets to get himself a fish! When Cat returns home and presents his friends with their new things they are all very happy, which for Cat, is the greatest happiness of all.A companion to HAPPY An I Like to Read Book.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Cats, Animals

Paperback

First published September 15, 2015

Reviews

[Ro Menendez · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a promising I Like to Read title that began as a repetitive pattern read for young readers and lost its way. Cat decides to go out, as he descends the stairs of his apartment building we see all of his neighbors enjoying different activities. When Cat gets to the street the repetitive pattern for the first two shops are "He saw...", "He went in." (here he purchases something), and "Cat went out." for the next three shops the author omits what Cat "saw", breaking the pattern that young readers enjoy and benefit from when reading longer text. The story allows for many predictions as to why Cat is making different purchases. The illustrations are bold, but they are too colorful and take up most of each spread, making it hard for young readers to spot where the text is.

[Yvonne Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An I Like to Read book whose illustrations will surprise readers every time. This book is perfect for beginning readers (PreK-K). The simple text and colorful illustrations will help build confidence while reading a “real” book. Readers will find themselves making predictions about which friend cat is buying each item for. I can’t wait to share this book with the kindergarten teachers at my school.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of Steve Henry's Happy Cat series on the I Can Read label, this book shows the Cat as the epitome of kids lit cool. He hangs in an apartment where the parrot does painting by watercolor, the elephant grows flowers in little pots, and the dog is the homebody who likes reading the paper. Cat goes out to market, to a music shop, and buys a nice trumpet to play at his house (the book won't show it, but ten bucks the Cat can blow like Dizzy Gillespurr!). He heads to the grocery to get food goodies for himself and his friends. (No Cat Chow. But it will be a "fancy feast"! Cat has good taste that's easy to recognize!) The book is written in a See Spot Run style, but it is a charming and sweet read and kids will love the artwork. Happy Cat is a horn player who toots his own "meow mix!"
Three stars
Happy Cat Rocks wit' CHOW!!!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

September 2019 - a touch more challenging than Happy Cat, but still easy enough for Ben to recognize a lot of sight words and decode some new ones with help (which he's starting to do!) Lots of repetition, and fun illustrations that extend the story.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an early reader with few words and bright illustrations. A cat wants a fish so he goes to buy one. Along the way he finds things to buy for friends and ends up with more than a fish to take home. Cute story about generosity.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super short and simple story. Very short sentences with a couple words on the pages. However, the illustrations are colorful and full of details. Lots of fun to look at. I enjoyed it.

[Leon Ace · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I really liked it. It was fun to read." 5yo review

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning reader. Fun illustrations.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat lives in an apartment house in the city. One day he goes down the stairs, then out, then into many stores where he makes a variety of purchases. It turns out that each suits a neighbor, and only one is for Cat. This book's pages are filled with details that will have young readers carefully poring over each and every brightly-colored eye-magnet. The gentle, simple text is ideal for beginning readers, and its liberal use of out, in, up, and down, will make it a favorite with preschool teachers. A true delight.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using only 20 different words, this "I Like to Read" book tells a story of friendship. Cat heads out to shop for himself, but he ends up bringing back gifts for his various friends who live in the nearby apartments. Young readers will enjoy the watercolor, gouache ink, and brown craft paper illustrations that completely fill the pages. This is an ideal book to help readers practice their reading and build fluency.

[Beth Vredenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat goes in and out and in and out of stores buying so many things. He delivers all the gifts to his friends and everyone is content.

As great as it is that Cat is so giving, this consumerism for its own sake is not the best lesson to be teaching.

That aside, the early reader has many great discussable illustrations to help early readers enrich understanding and have lively conversation as they read aloud.

[Tim Schraad · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story as great illustrations but I'm not sure what it's trying to get across. The whole story was about a cat going out and buying thing. It's a cute story but not really anything for the classroom.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buying gifts for his friends makes Cat happy.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reminds me of a trip to Walmart or Target. You go in for one purchase and come out with so many others... and almost forget to buy what you first went in there for!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet storyline about friendship and thinking of others.

There are tons of colorful illustrations to pour over for young readers.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots to explore in the illustrations. The story makes a few leaps that I'm not sure its intended audience will pick up on.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book PK-K. Busy illustrations with about three words on every page, so not a lot to this book. Good for early readers only.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple tale told in simple words and bold illustrations about how Cat keeps his friends happy!