Rupert Can Dance

by Jules Feiffer

Rupert has a big secret. When his owner, Mandy, is fast asleep, he likes to slip on her dancing shoes and dance the night away. Then one night Mandy catches Rupert in the act. She's not upset; she's thrilled! And she's determined to give Rupert dancing lessons so he can hone his talent. Rupert is horrified. Lessons are for dogs . Cats like to do things their own way. Dismayed, he loses all interest in dancing and goes into hiding. But Mandy comes up with the perfect plan to get Rupert dancing again . . .
Michael di Capua Books

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5, 2014

About the author

Jules Feiffer was an American cartoonist, playwright, screenwriter, and author whose work left a significant imprint on American satire and cultural commentary. Emerging from the postwar era of newspaper comics, he first gained recognition through his long-running comic strip published in The Village Voice, where his loose, expressive line drawings and psychologically sharp dialogue captured the anxieties, contradictions, and social performances of contemporary life. Feiffer used humor to critique politics, relationships, and everyday neuroses, developing a voice that felt conversational, self-aware, and deeply engaged with the shifting cultural moods of the United States. His graphic style, which often emphasized gesture and tone over detailed renderings, was equally distinctive, and helped expand the visual vocabulary of editorial and literary cartooning. Beyond his cartoons, Feiffer became an accomplished writer for stage and screen; his play Little Murders offered a darkly comic exploration of violence and alienation in urban America, while his screenplay for Mike Nichols’s film Carnal Knowledge drew widespread attention for its unflinching examination of intimacy and desire. Feiffer also wrote children’s books, including the popular The Phantom Tollbooth, for which he provided the illustrations that helped establish the book’s imaginative visual identity. He demonstrated an enduring commitment to making art accessible, engaging with students and general audiences alike through teaching and public appearances, and continued producing work across multiple genres throughout his life. His comics and writings were often autobiographical in spirit, even when fictionalized, providing commentary on his experiences growing up in New York and moving through decades of cultural change. Feiffer received numerous honors for his contributions to American arts, including major awards recognizing his innovation in cartooning, his influence on graphic storytelling, and his impact on theater and film. His later work included longer-form graphic novels and personal memoirs, reflecting on childhood, family, and the evolution of his artistic voice. Feiffer remained an active and inquisitive creator well into his later years, consistently exploring new creative forms and responding to contemporary political and social issues. His legacy is seen in the work of generations of cartoonists and writers who drew inspiration from his willingness to bring emotional depth, social critique, and literary ambition to comics and satire. Feiffer’s work stands as a testament to the power of humor to illuminate the complexities of human behavior and the cultural forces that shape everyday life.

Reviews

[Drew Canole · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely children's book / short comic about a cat who only dances when his owner is asleep. It turns out he just hates criticism/lessons and wants to dance in his own way.

Lovely messy line artwork by Feiffer as usual.

[Cynda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

GR friend was talking about Jules Fieffer, writer and illustrator. She was talking about books he wrote amd illustrated for adults. Today I have access to books he illustrated or wrote and illustrated for children.

Recently I told friends that I may walk and talk like a human, but I really am a cat. In this story, I understand Rupert the cat well. He thought he was enjoyjng a Private Idaho party when he gets found out. This does not sit well with Rupert. He would rather his human companion would just let him be during Private Idaho time. Does Mandy make it up with him? How can she?

The illustrations are very good. Illustrations of Rupert depict his emotional state, and the illustration of Mandy thinking of Rupert is done surprisingly well. A good study of illustrators? The story was okay.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sept 12, 2014
Jun 18, 2016
I just enjoy Feiffer’s depiction of dance. He's been depicting it in his comics for as long as I can remember and he just gets it. He captures something in it beautifully. Maybe drawing about dance is easier than writing about it. Plus, cute cat.

Library copy

[Cheryl A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning is fantastic. But I really don't understand why Rupert can't keep his secret. To me it looks like Mandy winds up exploiting him. I see most current reviewers agree with me... what do you, my friends and followers, think?

[Whitney Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reasons why I dig this book.

1. It's a dancing cat
2. His name is Rupert
3. Homeboy throws serious shade to dogs (while I am wholeheartedly a dog person, I can respect the shade when it's that serious)

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mandy's cat Rupert loves to dance. While his human companion dances all the time, he watches her carefully, never revealing that he dances while she's asleep. When his secret is revealed, Mandy ruins his pleasure in his pastime by trying to give him dance lessons. In the end she is able to coax him out through the use of psychology. The illustrations show the delight the two gain from their movement, but the ending fell flat for me. I loved seeing them dance together, but I kept thinking about how Rupert preferred to dance just for the pleasure of it. The author/illustrator is right, though, in reminding readers about the differences between cats and dogs.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangely charming tale about the relationship between a cat and his human. Rupert the cat's attitude toward his owner is so spot on for any cat imaginable. The illustrations weren't my favorite, nor was the type face (who would have thought that could make a difference? it does!), but the story was fun enough for all that to fall to the wayside.
Yay for Rupert!

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unusual book about a dancing cat? I've told many children anything can happen in a book, and I guess I am right! Still a book, I think children would enjoy, especially any child interested in dancing.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously, I love this one. It's about a dancing cat. I can only hope that Jaspurr has secret nighttime dance sessions like Rupert. Also, I believe this is the prequel to Dancing with Cats.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a joyful little book! I love it! "Cats love secrets" - yes, they do!

[Tollula · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. I expected more action from a book where a cat dances.

[Ampersand Inc. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even like cats that much, but Rupert the dancing cat won me over!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story, illustrations buzzing with their own kineticism, and a very cute cat. A winner!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I've missed my picture books over the summer...those pithy, silly, funny, pointed books that are for children and the grown ups who read to them.

Rupert's girl, Mandy loves to dance...she dances all day, and Rupert watches. But once Mandy's in bed, Rupert borrows her dancing shoes and dances the night away...in private. One night Mandy catches him. And wants to correct his dancing, and wants to teach him how to hold his...paws. She takes all the joy out of dancing for him, but she doesn't know that's what she's done. Her zeal to push Rupert has destroyed his love of dancing.

Pointed, I said...how many of us adults do this very thing to a child who is uninhibited and free in his love of an activity?

How will Mandy coax Rupert from under the bed? Will he ever dance again? Will they find joy in each other's company? There is so much on the line for Rupert and for Mandy.

What wonderful conversations this book would inspire...LOVE it.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mandy danced a lot. Her cat Rupert watched her every move, and while she slept he danced, until one night she woke and caught him. When he hid under her bed she had to find a way to get him to dance again.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book, but I don't love it. I read it during preschool storytime, and I'd say the families felt basically that same way. It's fine, but not super exciting or funny. I do like the illustrations and the ending.

[Amanda Walz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book about the true attitude of cat.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok this was straight up delightful.

[Dewey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super funny! I loved all the little comments about cats vs dogs.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dislike that he's so against dance lessons and that doesn't change. I'd like it better if after the cat was coaxed into showing the girl a dance move, if he then opened up to her teaching him.

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story of the dancing cat Rupert and his friend Mandy.

[C.D. Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it ironic and very like cats to hide once they are discovered. I got a chuckle out of the book.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 2yo loved this.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great imaginative story written and illustrated by Jules Feiffer.
I love it!

[Ariel]

Such a fun tale of drive, dance, and learning to share and lead as well as understanding of others feelings. Go Rupert! Go Mandy!

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and sweet, and 100% captures the vibe of cats.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever tried something new, like for example, dancing, and loved the feeling it gives you, regardless of technique, style or if you are doing it “right”? Has someone found out about your new thrill and decided to show you the “proper” way to do it? If any of this has happened to you then you will understand Rupert’s joy of dancing alone when no one is watching, and his absolute misery when someone finds out and sets out to teach him how to do it right. This story is a great conversation starter about how it is okay to not be amazing at something, but enjoy it by just doing it the best way you know how. It also teaches a valuable lesson in how to “take back” the damage we might have done when we criticize or try to correct someone who just wants to enjoy an activity for the sense of joy it brings them. A cautionary tale for adults who interfere with the pure joy children feel when trying things their own way. Jules Feiffer’s freestyle outlines and coloring makes the characters fluid and dancelike, making it easy to visualize Rupert and his owner swaying, jumping, and tap dancing the night away.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rupert the cat loves to watch his friend Ruby Dance. He watches her for hours as she dances. Then while she's sleeping, he slips on her dancing shoes and shows the darkness what he can do!

One night, Ruby wakes up unexpectedly. Rupert is humiliated. Ruby was never supposed to catch him dancing. It was a secret and everyone knows that cats like to have secrets. Ruby, on the other hand, is supremely excited. She wants to give Rupert lessons, maybe dance together! Rupert wants no part of this. He hides under the bed for 3 days.

Ruby misses her friend, but she can't figure out how to get him out from under the bed. Then one day, in school, she has an idea. She goes home and asks Rupert for help with a particular dance step. Rupert can't help but assist. Even if he has to wear Ruby's tennis shoes.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rupert loved having a secret, as cats often do. He didn’t want Mandy to know that he put on her dance shoes while she was asleep and spent the whole night dancing. Mandy woke up one night and caught Rupert in the act. She tried to teach him some new dance steps, but Rupert was just not interested. Maybe Mandy could learn a step or two from Rupert instead. Feiffer’s eighth picture book does not disappoint. His illustrations bring Rupert to life. Mandy and Rupert will make readers want to get up and dance. This book would make a great read aloud. The large illustrations and bold text are easily visible. This book will be a popular addition to your picture book collection.

[Melle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A girl named Mandy tries to give dance lessons to her cat Rupert who loves to dance in his own way. This was an okay story, but it lacked charm, cohesion, and diversity, and it also needed some standard English language and grammar lessons (ellipsis misuse on page one and cannot is one word). Not a terrible book but definitely meant for middle-to-upper-class white girls (and maybe boys) interested in dance.