So Many Cats!

by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

Amusing verse explains how a family with an only cat acquires a dozen felines, offering children a chance to count the accumulating animals.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Counting, Childrens, Animals, Mathematics

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Beatrice Schenk de Regniers earned a M.Ed from the University of Chicago in 1941. Her first book, The Giant Story, was published in 1953.

Beatrice Schenk de Regniers also wrote under the pseudonym Tamara Kitt.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you ever have too many cats? This is the story of a child who is on their way to growing up to being that person with all the cats.
Give this one to the cat lovers in your life.

[Kasey Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ultimate cat counting book for cat lovers and those with a soft spot for rescue animals. Cats are a highly requested topic at all of the schools I have worked at so I think this book would be a great addition to any K-5 library. Only trouble is that it is so tough to find it in hardcover!

I have read this book to my sons countless times though we are honestly dog people. Cats are too destructive lol. My favorite part is when they adopt an "ugly" cat, who has clearly been through a lot, and they name him pretty so he will build self confidence. Too cute!

[Maleigha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family adopts many, many cats. First, they started with one, then two came by, then there were three more they couldn't resist, and so on. You could use this story in a first grade class in order to promote addition. As you read aloud, the students may follow along and record the cats. Once you are finished with the story, the students may compare their answers to see who came up with the correct total amount of cats at different parts in the story. You may also choose to add extension to this through literacy and writing. For example, you could have your students write about their favorite cat in the story.

[Araksia Pendergast · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Appropriate Level: Pre-Kindergarten-2nd Grade
2. Summary: A story that's told in verse shows how easily one sad and lonely cat can turn into twelve. This book has good illustrations that show clearly show a cat's paradise. This book is certainly enjoyable for young counters and cat lovers.
3.Review:Funny little book. The kids will love to read this book because its a book about cats. All children love little cats
4. In class Use: It can be used to learn about cats. It teaches children how moody cats can be. And how to help them to cope with their moodiness.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I discovered at my granddaughters' home, given to them because they have "so many cats". Wonderful illustrations help the story too, of cats and a happy family. It was published in 1985, still available! It's a counting book, in rhyme, repeating often as more and more cats move in, helping that original cat, "and Poke -- Poke,
once our Only -
now no longer lonely -
Cat".
It's a darling book for young ones, and for cat lovers!

[sucker4synth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about the exciting adventures in cat hording! Not really! Cute art that is perhaps a bit passé, but nostalgic for those of us born in the '80s. A family starts off with one cat and gains more as life goes on. Sounds about right to me. Rhyming and rhythm, plus an ugly cat named Pretty with an eyepatch and a scruffy city cat with a bandana. Great for cat lovers, for sure!

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the rhythm of this book! The narrator explains how her family went from owning one cat to owning 12. Kids will enjoy the counting aspect of the book and the different ways cats join the family.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the cutest kids books ever. I just read it to my almost 3 year old, we were both cracking up over the "frumpy, fleasy, skinny, sleazy city cats".

[Mosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

How many cats is too many cats? Who knows with this witty little children's book. If you are a cat lover pick up a copy of this book for you and your little one.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beatrice Schenk Dr Reigniers, cat enthusiast, has written a poetic kids book loosely based on her own life, or at least her own love of cats. It's a clever rhyme of how she has one cat named Poke, alone until a female cat comes scratching at the screen door. In time the two cats have a family of three extra kittens. Then other cats are either dropped off by friends or come skinning by into the lives of Beatrice and her family. They soon have a total of twelve delightful fuzzballs of mewling joy. And Beatrice figures she will stop at 12. That's that, no more cats... until number 13....? Ms de Reigniers is a gifted writer with cool ways to touch heart strings and cause chuckles and fond memories. Read it and see for yourself.
Four stars
With 12 cats in her yard
Dr Reigniers ain't that hard
Now reading her is easy
Cos of....YOU!

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice rhyme, but not especially rewarding.

[HappyGay Bakunzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute rhyming book that's relatable to anyone who accumulates cats after swearing "no more!"

[Camden Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. All about cats and opening your home to all.

[Maddie Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book!!! Who wouldnt want to hear about 12 cats?! I love cats, and think this is so cute!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

"So Many Cats!" is a story about how so many cats came to live in the same house. They started off with one very hungry cat coming to their door. She brought them kittens. Soon more and more cats arrived at the house. An old cat from the neighbors, three skinny cats from the city, an ugly cat, two more cats from the grocery store all come to live at the house. The cats are all named and are repeated as more cats are added to the list. Too many cats, indeed!

A learning extension might be to have the children repeat the names of the cats as they are counting them. Another might be for the children to draw pictures of their pets to share with the class. Another might be for the children to list their pets and see who has the most.

[Whitney Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a cat who is lonely and sad.
This can highlight on ideas of emotions and how people feel about themselves, helping to open up a poetry unit or a unit that deals with expressive types of writing for older grades (persuasive).
It also is mainly focused on MATH elements of counting and adding.
The main character in the story which is cat, actually splits and adds up into 12 different cats and any student can be able to read this story and learn how to add and subtract.

ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, FRACTIONS

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book can be used for literature based math book. Young children can count the cats along with the reading. Also, this book contains many rhyming words in order to help children's reading. I love the illustrations of this book.

[Naomi · Rating 1 out of 5]

BORING! Good for working with the munchkins on counting, but not much more! Nothing about this book could keep my interest.

[Melle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about counting the dozen cats living with this family. Can we talk about hoarding? Diverse kitties, good. Not diverse on people. Also, did I mention the animal hoarding problem?

[Hillvan]

AD480L

[Kendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute kids book that I can relate to!