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Cat Up a Tree
Worried when she spots a cat up a tree, Nana Quimby frantically rings the firehouse for help, only to discover that the firemen no longer rescue cats in trees. What is she to do? She looks out the window again to discover five cats up the tree. And the cats keep coming - too many to count - in all sorts of zany colors, shapes, and sizes. Frantic, Nana Quimby calls the police station, the pet shop, the zoo, and even city hall, but no one will respond to her plea. Children will love counting all the irresistible cats in John Hassett's lively artwork, as the town that refuses to help finds itself caught in a hilarious quandary and finally learns the importance of lending a hand.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 1998
7 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 14, 2016
Cat Up a Tree is a delightful book that's useful for helping little ones learn to count. What could be better than counting kitty cats? Counting kitty cats up in a tree, of course!
Enter Nana Quimby, a woman with a pie-shaped face and a robust figure swathed in a purple polka-dot dress. Nana Quimby spies a cat stuck in a tree, grabs the phone, and makes calls all over town in search of help. Meanwhile, the number of cats in the tree continues to grow. When no one comes to her aid, it's up to Nana Quimby to save the day.
Cat Up a Tree depicts Nana Quimby's charming house, a bustling city, and as many as forty cats in soft-hued colors and lulling pastels.
Added bonus: the clouds in the sky are shaped like jelly beans.
Enter Nana Quimby, a woman with a pie-shaped face and a robust figure swathed in a purple polka-dot dress. Nana Quimby spies a cat stuck in a tree, grabs the phone, and makes calls all over town in search of help. Meanwhile, the number of cats in the tree continues to grow. When no one comes to her aid, it's up to Nana Quimby to save the day.
Cat Up a Tree depicts Nana Quimby's charming house, a bustling city, and as many as forty cats in soft-hued colors and lulling pastels.
Added bonus: the clouds in the sky are shaped like jelly beans.
June 30, 2019
I have to round up, because this is just so very silly. Look at those cats dancing in the branches! Look at Nana Quimby's hairstyle and sneakers and old-fashioned phone! Lessons in Counting by Fives and Karma.
I will investigate for more by the authors.
I will investigate for more by the authors.
May 25, 2022
Featured in a grandma reads session.
Charming, confident, follow-if-you-will cats fill this book to the brim. Here, there and everywhere cats pop up and peer out, daring you to care.
My group, the youngest of them were the most engaged and excited. The oldest of them were amused by the youngers. A fun read, with all of us enjoying our connection.
Charming, confident, follow-if-you-will cats fill this book to the brim. Here, there and everywhere cats pop up and peer out, daring you to care.
My group, the youngest of them were the most engaged and excited. The oldest of them were amused by the youngers. A fun read, with all of us enjoying our connection.
August 6, 2011
Cat Up a Tree by John Hassett and Ann Hassett is a cat counting adventure. Worried when she spots a cat up a tree, Nana Quimby frantically rings the firehouse for help, only to discover that the firemen no longer rescue cats in trees. As the tree increasingly fills with cats (by fives), Nana Quimby calls every place she can think of: the police station, the pet shop, the library, the post office, the zoo, and even city hall. Eventually Nana solves the problem herself, and the town calls her for help!
The text is hilarious with a series of ridiculous responses. My favorites include "Call back if the cats rob a bank.", "Call back if the cats have an overdue book." and "Call back if you need a sign that says Danger! Look up for Falling Cats." The cats increase by fives. This reminds me of a newer counting book (by twos) that features cats -Cats' Night Out.
The illustrations are funny too, featuring jelly bean shaped clouds and cats in zany colors, shapes, and sizes with curving spaghetti-like tails and skinny acrobatic bodies. Children will enjoy looking for the mice that appear on many pages.
This is a fun, silly read aloud that would work for a preschool story time, but will be best enjoyed one on one where the detailed illustrations can be studied and savored.
For ages 3 to 6, read-aloud, cats, counting by fives, towns, and fans of John and Ann Hassett.
The text is hilarious with a series of ridiculous responses. My favorites include "Call back if the cats rob a bank.", "Call back if the cats have an overdue book." and "Call back if you need a sign that says Danger! Look up for Falling Cats." The cats increase by fives. This reminds me of a newer counting book (by twos) that features cats -Cats' Night Out.
The illustrations are funny too, featuring jelly bean shaped clouds and cats in zany colors, shapes, and sizes with curving spaghetti-like tails and skinny acrobatic bodies. Children will enjoy looking for the mice that appear on many pages.
This is a fun, silly read aloud that would work for a preschool story time, but will be best enjoyed one on one where the detailed illustrations can be studied and savored.
For ages 3 to 6, read-aloud, cats, counting by fives, towns, and fans of John and Ann Hassett.
May 14, 2009
Nana Quimby sees a cat up a tree and wants to help. She tries many sources and they all give her ridiculous excuses and options. My favorite is when she calls City Hall and they tell her they won't get the cats out of the tree, but that she should call back if she needs a sign that says, "Danger! Watch out for falling cats." We think this book is hilarious at my house and our son giggles when we ask, "Would a cat have an overdue book?" as the library suggests. This is a playful read for determining the difference between fantasy and reality, practicing counting, or for kids who really like cats. Big laughs and big fun.
August 23, 2009
Nana Quimby has a problem. There's a cat up a tree. So she calls the fire department, but they won't help - and when she looks again there are MORE cats. So she calls various other institutions, ranging from the sensible (police station) to the absurd (library), and finally city hall. Every call results in more cats stuck in her tree, until eventually she gives in and rescues them herself.
And when the whole city calls about the mice infestation... well, let's just say that turnaround is fair play and leave it at that. Sweet book, and a bit silly as well.
And when the whole city calls about the mice infestation... well, let's just say that turnaround is fair play and leave it at that. Sweet book, and a bit silly as well.
December 20, 2011
I put this one on hold after reading Too Many Frogs and together I think they are really, really fun. We really liked the deadpan responses from the various people Nana calls: "Sorry," said the firehouse, "we do not catch cats up a tree anymore. Call back if that cat starts to play with matches." And of course her turnabout-is-fair-play at the end is great closure. Plus a nod to Millions of Cats! Win.
March 15, 2010
I enjoyed all the cute illustrations of the cats. Even though no one would ever call some of the people the woman calls, it was a cute story. I liked the little twist at the end. Teaches counting by fives, too.
December 31, 2011
Fun and funny. The pictures are a little on the small side, so if I wanted to use this for preschool storytime (where we tend to get large groups), I might make some props and tell the story rather than read it.
September 1, 2015
The repetition gets a little dull, but maybe it would work for kids.
February 17, 2024
It was fine but didn’t knock my socks off. But then again, I’m hardly the intended audience.
Little readers will likely enjoy the repetitive narrative as well as the counting as Nana Quimby, local busybody, spies not just one or two but up to thirty cats in the tree! At each number jump she rings various local and government entities entreating someone, anyone, to come get these cats out of the tree. She’s met with rejection and funny instructions for example, call the fire station back if the cat plays with matches, or the police if the cats decide to rob a bank.
Finally in a fit of frustration she hurls her phone out the window, unwittingly creating a bridge for all the cats to safely land in her apartment.
It’s sort of an amusing story but lacks something to really elevate beyond the read this and forgot it tomorrow. The crude illustrations might appeal to children, cartoonish as they were, but I didn’t find them appealing. There are, however, the proper number of cats in the trees because I did count, so kudos for that.
Little readers will likely enjoy the repetitive narrative as well as the counting as Nana Quimby, local busybody, spies not just one or two but up to thirty cats in the tree! At each number jump she rings various local and government entities entreating someone, anyone, to come get these cats out of the tree. She’s met with rejection and funny instructions for example, call the fire station back if the cat plays with matches, or the police if the cats decide to rob a bank.
Finally in a fit of frustration she hurls her phone out the window, unwittingly creating a bridge for all the cats to safely land in her apartment.
It’s sort of an amusing story but lacks something to really elevate beyond the read this and forgot it tomorrow. The crude illustrations might appeal to children, cartoonish as they were, but I didn’t find them appealing. There are, however, the proper number of cats in the trees because I did count, so kudos for that.
April 16, 2023
Why does the Goodreads preview describe this book in this way? (Italics mine.)
"Children will love counting all the irresistible cats in John Hassett's lively artwork, as the town that refuses to help finds itself caught in a hilarious quandary and finally learns the importance of lending a hand.
Hilarious? After I read this book, my review will tell you Goodreaders if I agree.
ACTUALLY, NO. THIS BOOK IS NOT MY IDEA OF FUNNY.
For one thing, the cats don't look like real cats. Nor do the trees look like real trees.
* Hey, I'll give this book THREE STARS, recommending it to readers who dislike cats. (I like cats.)
* And to readers who like to poke fun at seniors, like Nana Quimby. (Technically, I'm a senior.)
* And, finally, recommending this interesting experiment of a picture books to readers who just can't get enough counting books. Have fun!
"Children will love counting all the irresistible cats in John Hassett's lively artwork, as the town that refuses to help finds itself caught in a hilarious quandary and finally learns the importance of lending a hand.
Hilarious? After I read this book, my review will tell you Goodreaders if I agree.
ACTUALLY, NO. THIS BOOK IS NOT MY IDEA OF FUNNY.
For one thing, the cats don't look like real cats. Nor do the trees look like real trees.
* Hey, I'll give this book THREE STARS, recommending it to readers who dislike cats. (I like cats.)
* And to readers who like to poke fun at seniors, like Nana Quimby. (Technically, I'm a senior.)
* And, finally, recommending this interesting experiment of a picture books to readers who just can't get enough counting books. Have fun!
August 10, 2020
Cute Story!
The story was about Nana Quimbley counting cats she saw in a tree. The story started out with one cat in a tree. Nana called the firehouse,sorry we do not get cats out of trees.
Then she saw five cats in a tree, she called the police, but they do not get cats out of trees,
Each time she looked out the cats were more and more she called the post office, the library, the pet store, and they all said, sorry, we do not get cats!
She threw the telephone out the window and all the cats climbed out of the trees and into Nana’s house! Which was good for all the cats!
The story was about Nana Quimbley counting cats she saw in a tree. The story started out with one cat in a tree. Nana called the firehouse,sorry we do not get cats out of trees.
Then she saw five cats in a tree, she called the police, but they do not get cats out of trees,
Each time she looked out the cats were more and more she called the post office, the library, the pet store, and they all said, sorry, we do not get cats!
She threw the telephone out the window and all the cats climbed out of the trees and into Nana’s house! Which was good for all the cats!
May 17, 2017
Turns out, firemen no longer come and help cats trapped in trees. In this clever book, an old lady calls a variety of businesses for help and inadvertently solves her own problem. Also teaches counting!
March 9, 2018
Cute story and wonderful illustrations of the cats.
November 30, 2019
Delightful. Perfect for an early reader who enjoys some silly vibes
March 1, 2020
Cute and fun.
January 29, 2022
Great kids’ book! She spots cats in the trees and tries to get help from the fire station, pet store, police, library… but until they have mice they are not interested.
February 6, 2022
Delightful!
Read
June 22, 2022BookTree
We loved!
We loved!
July 5, 2022
Nana Quimby is a savage! She dished back the same reply that the police, fire station, library, and city hall gave to her. I enjoyed this book way too much.
February 22, 2024
I didn’t read this book myself I listened to a man from Canopy Cat Rescue read this book! While he was in a tree!
March 11, 2025
Fun little story.
August 25, 2025
Nana Quimby is alarmed one day when she sees a cat up a tree. Each day she sees more cats in the tree, and although she calls the firehouse, the library, the post office, the zoo, city hall, and more no one will come to get the cats down. Nana Quimby handles the problem herself, and then the town realizes they need cats.
September 1, 2016
More and more cats keep climbing Nana Quimby's tree. She calls everyone she can think of to help her get the cats down. No one can help get the cats of the tree. When Nana Quimby throws the phone out the window in frustration, the cats climb across the line and into Nana Quimby's house. The many people she called for help call her and ask to borrow her cats to catch some mice. Nana Quimby says that her cats are too happy purring to help catch the mice. The children will enjoy the repetitive story line and learning about the different places in a city like the police, fire station and post office.
March 16, 2010
Pay attention when people call you on the phone!
A child told me to read this book because it is funny. I agree with them.
In the story, Nana Quimby isn't sure what to do with the cats in the tree. The cats grow in number from 1 to 5 to 10 to 15 to 20 to 25 to 30 to 35 to 40! No one, including the firehouse, police station, pet shop, zoo, post office, library, city hall, was ready to help Nana Quimby until the mice were everywhere since the cats were staying with her.
A child told me to read this book because it is funny. I agree with them.
In the story, Nana Quimby isn't sure what to do with the cats in the tree. The cats grow in number from 1 to 5 to 10 to 15 to 20 to 25 to 30 to 35 to 40! No one, including the firehouse, police station, pet shop, zoo, post office, library, city hall, was ready to help Nana Quimby until the mice were everywhere since the cats were staying with her.
February 17, 2015
This is a strange, but humorous tale about more and more cats being stuck in a tree and the various organizations and agencies of the town passing the buck on the chore of getting them out of the tree.
The narrative is fun to read and very repetitive. Young children will laugh at the antics of the cats and the excuses of those who don't want to get them down. We enjoyed reading this book together.
The narrative is fun to read and very repetitive. Young children will laugh at the antics of the cats and the excuses of those who don't want to get them down. We enjoyed reading this book together.
October 5, 2012
This was recommended by one of my 2nd graders who said it was "hilarious!" I giggled as I read all of the funny responses and looked at the pictures of the crazy cats! It's also a good book for counting by 5s
February 15, 2013
More and more cats are getting stuck in a tree so Nana Quimby calls various agencies for help but no one will rescue the cats. Funny story with a just-desserts ending. Charming illustrations.
themes: cats, city agencies (negative light), counting, helping, trees
themes: cats, city agencies (negative light), counting, helping, trees
July 2, 2013
Nana Quimby is trying to get someone in town to help her with a cat problem. Unfortunately, no one seems willing to help. This story was funny, and I can imagine kids would love to hear "Cat Up a Tree" read aloud.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews