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Cat Nap
With lush paintings and intricately constructed 3D artwork, bestselling and Caldecott Honor–winning author-illustrator Brian Lies introduces a sleepy kitten whose afternoon nap transforms into an epic journey through art, time, and history. Perfect for fans of They All Saw a Cat, Museum Trip, and Jumanji. Includes back matter.
In the warm, late afternoon sunlight, a girl sits on the couch reading a book. Her kitten dozes nearby. But when Kitten notices a mouse and dives after it, an epic chase through time, art, and history ensues. Is it a dream? That’s up to the reader to decide, but for the kitten, every leap and bound is full of suspense and makes for a masterpiece.
Caldecott Honor–winning and New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Brian Lies creates a truly unique picture book journey that invites young readers through the galleries of an art museum as well as through time, space, and history. As the cat and mouse leap from one page to the next, they are portrayed in the style of masterful artworks from history—an ancient Egyptian relief, an illuminated manuscript, a stained-glass window, a ceramic dog—each painstakingly and lovingly re-created in its original media by Brian Lies. When the sly mouse gets away, Kitten finds himself lost and alone. Will art help him find his way home?
The visual showstopper by an award-winning and bestselling picture book creator offers readers a page-turning cat and mouse chase, an introduction to famous works of art throughout history, an epic adventure story, and a homecoming. Back matter includes information about how each of the illustrations in the book was created, notes on the original artworks featured in the book, and an afterword inviting young readers to make, create, and build things.
In the warm, late afternoon sunlight, a girl sits on the couch reading a book. Her kitten dozes nearby. But when Kitten notices a mouse and dives after it, an epic chase through time, art, and history ensues. Is it a dream? That’s up to the reader to decide, but for the kitten, every leap and bound is full of suspense and makes for a masterpiece.
Caldecott Honor–winning and New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Brian Lies creates a truly unique picture book journey that invites young readers through the galleries of an art museum as well as through time, space, and history. As the cat and mouse leap from one page to the next, they are portrayed in the style of masterful artworks from history—an ancient Egyptian relief, an illuminated manuscript, a stained-glass window, a ceramic dog—each painstakingly and lovingly re-created in its original media by Brian Lies. When the sly mouse gets away, Kitten finds himself lost and alone. Will art help him find his way home?
The visual showstopper by an award-winning and bestselling picture book creator offers readers a page-turning cat and mouse chase, an introduction to famous works of art throughout history, an epic adventure story, and a homecoming. Back matter includes information about how each of the illustrations in the book was created, notes on the original artworks featured in the book, and an afterword inviting young readers to make, create, and build things.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2025
198 people want to read
About the author
Brian Lies
44 books143 followersI was born in 1963 in Princeton, New Jersey, which back then was a quiet college town, surrounded by old farmland slowly giving way to housing developments. I spent a lot of time building dams and forts in the woods across the street with my best friend, inventing things, and writing and drawing with my older sister. At various times during my childhood, we had newts, gerbils and rabbits as pets. When I was in fifth grade, an author and illustrator visited my school, and I was amazed that one could have a job writing and drawing. I wished it could be my job! But I didn’t think I was good enough at either writing or drawing to even try.
I had always liked to draw, though, and kept doing it just for fun. During high school, I also painted with oil paints and made stained glass windows. I actually sold some, too—my first taste of self-employment. I went to Brown University after high school, where I studied Psychology and British and American Literature. I began to think about what I really wanted to do for a career, and what I really wanted was something that involved art. So after graduation from college in 1985, I moved to Boston to study drawing and painting at the Boston Museum School (also known as the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston).
At the Museum School, I started getting paintings in exhibitions and won a few prizes, and then was able to get political illustrations published in the Christian Science Monitor and the Boston Globe.
Suddenly I had a career as an editorial and political illustrator, working with a lot of magazines and newspapers. In 1989, I illustrated my first book, Flatfoot Fox and the Case of the Missing Eye, with Houghton Mifflin Company in Boston.
Since then, I've illustrated some twenty books, including my newest one, Bats at the Library, which I also wrote. My other three written-and-illustrated books to date are the New York Times bestseller, Bats at the Beach, Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite, and Hamlet and the Magnificent Sandcastle.
I also get lots of work published in Cricket, Spider, Ladybug and Babybug magazines, and I enjoy visiting schools to work with students on writing and illustrating stories.
I live in a seaside town in Massachusetts with my wife, my daughter, two cats and a hamster. My hobbies are bicycling, woodworking, and tending a big vegetable garden behind the house. I’m very interested in old-fashioned food preparation, too, and sometimes make my own cheese, kimchi and other things (including a drink called switchel, which I kind of liked but which everybody else in my family thought was nasty).
I also read a lot, which I think is important—it keeps my imagination going, and leaves me feeling much more relaxed than television does!
I had always liked to draw, though, and kept doing it just for fun. During high school, I also painted with oil paints and made stained glass windows. I actually sold some, too—my first taste of self-employment. I went to Brown University after high school, where I studied Psychology and British and American Literature. I began to think about what I really wanted to do for a career, and what I really wanted was something that involved art. So after graduation from college in 1985, I moved to Boston to study drawing and painting at the Boston Museum School (also known as the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston).
At the Museum School, I started getting paintings in exhibitions and won a few prizes, and then was able to get political illustrations published in the Christian Science Monitor and the Boston Globe.
Suddenly I had a career as an editorial and political illustrator, working with a lot of magazines and newspapers. In 1989, I illustrated my first book, Flatfoot Fox and the Case of the Missing Eye, with Houghton Mifflin Company in Boston.
Since then, I've illustrated some twenty books, including my newest one, Bats at the Library, which I also wrote. My other three written-and-illustrated books to date are the New York Times bestseller, Bats at the Beach, Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite, and Hamlet and the Magnificent Sandcastle.
I also get lots of work published in Cricket, Spider, Ladybug and Babybug magazines, and I enjoy visiting schools to work with students on writing and illustrating stories.
I live in a seaside town in Massachusetts with my wife, my daughter, two cats and a hamster. My hobbies are bicycling, woodworking, and tending a big vegetable garden behind the house. I’m very interested in old-fashioned food preparation, too, and sometimes make my own cheese, kimchi and other things (including a drink called switchel, which I kind of liked but which everybody else in my family thought was nasty).
I also read a lot, which I think is important—it keeps my imagination going, and leaves me feeling much more relaxed than television does!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 29, 2025
I don’t usually add picture books to goodreads but I’ll make an exception because, from the bottom of my heart, if this is not a Caldecott book I don’t know what the award is for. Simple and lovely literal cat and mouse chase through the art pieces at the Met, where every page is an illustration of the chase AS PARTS OF THE ART, where EACH PIECE IS ADAPTED IN ITS ORIGINAL MATERIALS AND STYLES, from ink paintings to a medieval saint’s portrait to illuminated manuscript to Egyptian tablets to ancient pottery. It’s such an exuberant experiment and celebration of art while also being a fun little story that should work well for kids. I haven’t felt really blown away by a picture book in a minute but it’s sweet and fun and jaw droppingly gorgeous. the energy and skill and playfulness of this book is outstanding, and I want EVERYONE TO KNOW.
October 4, 2025
Mock Caldecott here we come! Can’t wait to show this to students and the art teacher.
October 17, 2025
beautiful 😻
October 16, 2025
This captivating picture book is about a cat that gets lost while chasing a mouse (or mice). The story takes the reader through history and into 10 art masterpieces. The highlight for me, the adult reader, is at the back of the book, "Making the Art of Cat Nap," where the author explains his process in creating each page and recreating the famous art pieces for the book. I appreciated the story's journey far greater after understanding the meticulous details that went into its creation.
October 22, 2025
A VERY cool book with a cat that travels through several different art styles. I was super impressed that the illustrator took photos of different art techniques. Highly recommend as a read aloud for art teachers.
October 3, 2025
A new favorite, and one of the most brilliantly illustrated picture books I have ever read.
August 23, 2025
Cat Nap is one of the most exciting picture books I've seen in all my years of publishing (over 40!). Kitty is pure cat--curiosity, fierce focus on the hunt, lithe acrobatics, and a delightful vulnerability and need for cuddles, food and home that every child will share. The amazing art (Lies is a genius in any medium, be it stained glass, ceramics, wood carving, painting or bas relief carving) comes alive as Kitty and mouse run thru. Cat Nap is a brilliant introduction to art, that also stands as a delightfully complete story arc about adventure and home. Coming September 30. Congratulations, Greenwillow!
October 1, 2025
Yesterday (September 30, 2025) I attended Brian Lies’ launch of Cat Nap. I went to the event to support Brian but didn’t intend to purchase any books. The children in my life, who have loved the stories and art in Brian’s Bat series and The Rough Patch, are now past the children’s book stage.
To my surprise and delight, at the end of the event I purchased three copies of Cat Nap, and I expect I’ll purchase more in the future. I believe Cat Nap has a very bright future and will be loved by people of all ages. I expect it will inspire the creative people in my life to dream even bigger and become even more creative, whether they are still in the children’s book stage of life or passed it twenty, or even fifty years ago. I bought a copy to inspire me!
Cat Nap shares the dream of a delightful grey cat named Kitten. Brian began the launch session by reading Kitten’s dream story and showing us the glorious illustrations in Cat Nap. Many of the items captured in the illustrations, replicas of treasures at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, were on a display table in the front of the room. I hadn’t given much thought to the display.
Then, Brian blew me away. He told us of the techniques he had learned and the work he had done to create each of the items on the table before us, the items in the Cat Nap illustrations. They included limestone carvings, sculptures, stained glass panels, paintings that included gold leaf, ink and paper drawings, and oil paintings. Of course, Brian had created these replicas – Kitten had found his way into them! Brian observed that the original museum pieces had all been created by people, so he believed he would be able to create them as well, and we will also if we make the effort to learn how.
I’d known Brian created more than his very successful stories and book illustrations. He’d carved an impressive replica of Noah’s ark, built and drawn the backdrop used for our Christmas pageant at church each year, and painted some traditional oil paintings that appeared to me to be quite excellent. However, the creation of these replicas for Cat Nap used an amazing variety of techniques. Brian shares a brief version of his creative experiences in the back of this beautiful book.
I’m confident children will love Cat Nap – in my experience they love all Brian’s books. If you’d like to inspire your own creativity, you’ll love Cat Nap also.
To my surprise and delight, at the end of the event I purchased three copies of Cat Nap, and I expect I’ll purchase more in the future. I believe Cat Nap has a very bright future and will be loved by people of all ages. I expect it will inspire the creative people in my life to dream even bigger and become even more creative, whether they are still in the children’s book stage of life or passed it twenty, or even fifty years ago. I bought a copy to inspire me!
Cat Nap shares the dream of a delightful grey cat named Kitten. Brian began the launch session by reading Kitten’s dream story and showing us the glorious illustrations in Cat Nap. Many of the items captured in the illustrations, replicas of treasures at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, were on a display table in the front of the room. I hadn’t given much thought to the display.
Then, Brian blew me away. He told us of the techniques he had learned and the work he had done to create each of the items on the table before us, the items in the Cat Nap illustrations. They included limestone carvings, sculptures, stained glass panels, paintings that included gold leaf, ink and paper drawings, and oil paintings. Of course, Brian had created these replicas – Kitten had found his way into them! Brian observed that the original museum pieces had all been created by people, so he believed he would be able to create them as well, and we will also if we make the effort to learn how.
I’d known Brian created more than his very successful stories and book illustrations. He’d carved an impressive replica of Noah’s ark, built and drawn the backdrop used for our Christmas pageant at church each year, and painted some traditional oil paintings that appeared to me to be quite excellent. However, the creation of these replicas for Cat Nap used an amazing variety of techniques. Brian shares a brief version of his creative experiences in the back of this beautiful book.
I’m confident children will love Cat Nap – in my experience they love all Brian’s books. If you’d like to inspire your own creativity, you’ll love Cat Nap also.
October 3, 2025
LOVED this book! While this is a theme seen before, in which a cat chases a mouse through works of art at a museum (the Met, in this case), the artist took it to a whole new level. Instead of just photoshopping a cat into a work, he recreated the work with his own little touches and then incorporated the cat in an appropriate material (paint, wood, ink, etc.) There's a repetitive phrase that would make it a fun readaloud. In the back are photos of the actual pieces of art.
But the thing that put this over the top for me was the artist's note on his methods and reasoning. He COULD have used AI. He COULD have used computers to make the images. But he didn't because some of the glory of art is in its physical creation. As he said, creating things is FUN, and just because you don't feel your work is what you want it to be, practice! You'll get better and find your own style. And that is a valuable lesson for kids and adults alike.
But the thing that put this over the top for me was the artist's note on his methods and reasoning. He COULD have used AI. He COULD have used computers to make the images. But he didn't because some of the glory of art is in its physical creation. As he said, creating things is FUN, and just because you don't feel your work is what you want it to be, practice! You'll get better and find your own style. And that is a valuable lesson for kids and adults alike.
October 20, 2025
Kitten is napping quite happily on the back of the couch when she hears the skittering of a mouse, which dives into a picture hanging on the wall. Does Kitten follow? Of course she does!
This is a short, amusing, and artistic picture book in which Kitten follows mouse through and interacts with various artwork, all rendered lovingly in various styles. It's a simple concept, but Brian Lies has executed it perfectly. Kitten's exuberance and... chaotic pursuit feel very authentic (and I should know, I've got an 11-month old kitten currently tearing around my house, attacking my feet, and terrorizing my poor 10-year old cat). One of the perks of working at a library is sometimes interesting things cross your desk and this was just such a case, I went to check it in and took a minutes to read it through and was quite happy I did so. The constant refrain of "of course she does" also makes this an obvious choice for read-aloud as the kids can join in.
This is a short, amusing, and artistic picture book in which Kitten follows mouse through and interacts with various artwork, all rendered lovingly in various styles. It's a simple concept, but Brian Lies has executed it perfectly. Kitten's exuberance and... chaotic pursuit feel very authentic (and I should know, I've got an 11-month old kitten currently tearing around my house, attacking my feet, and terrorizing my poor 10-year old cat). One of the perks of working at a library is sometimes interesting things cross your desk and this was just such a case, I went to check it in and took a minutes to read it through and was quite happy I did so. The constant refrain of "of course she does" also makes this an obvious choice for read-aloud as the kids can join in.
October 15, 2025
What a lovely, little journey this story takes readers on!
I really enjoyed following Kitten as they traversed many works of art, chasing a mouse from one piece to the next. It’s such an interesting approach to helping young readers learn about art.
More, the detail and craftsmanship that went into creating this story is simply incredible. Kitten and the art work featured are both brought to life in such fascinating and vivid ways. It’s a delightful collection featuring art from all around the world.
I would definitely recommend this story for all readers but especially young readers who view the world through curious eyes. I think they’d enjoy going on this journey with Kitten, too~
I really enjoyed following Kitten as they traversed many works of art, chasing a mouse from one piece to the next. It’s such an interesting approach to helping young readers learn about art.
More, the detail and craftsmanship that went into creating this story is simply incredible. Kitten and the art work featured are both brought to life in such fascinating and vivid ways. It’s a delightful collection featuring art from all around the world.
I would definitely recommend this story for all readers but especially young readers who view the world through curious eyes. I think they’d enjoy going on this journey with Kitten, too~
September 16, 2025
This is one of the coolest, most unique children's picture books I've ever read!
As an art history & history lover, I was instantly & totally enthralled!!!!!
Wow- the art in this book is absolutely unbelievable. It just leaps off the pages, and draws you right in. I really enjoyed seeing the "behind the scenes" at the end, and more information about each art piece that cat explores.
There is an adventurous & whimsical story here, as well as lots to learn & discuss.
WELL DONE!!!
This is such a treasure for our library collection.
As an art history & history lover, I was instantly & totally enthralled!!!!!
Wow- the art in this book is absolutely unbelievable. It just leaps off the pages, and draws you right in. I really enjoyed seeing the "behind the scenes" at the end, and more information about each art piece that cat explores.
There is an adventurous & whimsical story here, as well as lots to learn & discuss.
WELL DONE!!!
This is such a treasure for our library collection.
October 3, 2025
This picture book has it all: a cute animal protagonist going on a thrilling adventure; illustrations in all mediums that give a mini art history lesson as they progress; and an inspiring, can-do author's note at the end of the book encouraging readers to be creative. This was an absolute joy to read, and I couldn't help but show it to everyone around me out of sheer enthusiasm. Removing one star because I found the prose of the story itself a touch uninspired, but I loved this so much it almost didn't matter.
September 10, 2025
If I could give this book ten stars, I would. Absolutely brilliant artwork coupled with an easy to read aloud story make this a winner for storytimes, classrooms, and lap reading. If you work with older readers, dive into art history by looking at the original art which inspired the illustrations, sculptures, paintings, etc. throughout the book and reading more about how Brian recreated them in the backmatter.
September 25, 2025
I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
What a cool book. I love the idea of this book of a cat chasing a mouse through the history of art and it is executed perfectly. What a fun way to learn about different cultures and styles of art and there is also great back matter on each of the eras and art pieces used throughout the book. Great for any classroom or any family that has art interested kiddos.
What a cool book. I love the idea of this book of a cat chasing a mouse through the history of art and it is executed perfectly. What a fun way to learn about different cultures and styles of art and there is also great back matter on each of the eras and art pieces used throughout the book. Great for any classroom or any family that has art interested kiddos.
October 14, 2025
This is an amazing book. The plot is about a cat who chases a mouse, gets lost, and has to find his way home. But artistically it is incredible. The cat travels through different art style periods. Starting in Egyptian hieroglyphics (and ridding of them rats) then onward, through medieval and Ukiyo-e style art. It is absolutely a masterpiece of cats and I love it. I'm also relieved that Spoiler, the cat doesn't catch the adorable little mouse.
October 10, 2025
Lies himself has set a high bar when it comes to picture book originality and content- and time and time again, he vaults himself way above that bar. The thought, the intentionality, and the labor he invested in this book have resulted in a ten-fold treasure and gift for any curious reader. I stand in ongoing awe and look forward to Brian's next surge over his high bar.
June 11, 2025
Read by the author.
Amazing illustrations capture the various art forms at the museum as this kitten chases a mouse. Lies created the artwork shown using the mediums for the originals. A sweet story capturing a kitten's afternoon. A wonderful book to introduce younger readers to various art forms.
Amazing illustrations capture the various art forms at the museum as this kitten chases a mouse. Lies created the artwork shown using the mediums for the originals. A sweet story capturing a kitten's afternoon. A wonderful book to introduce younger readers to various art forms.
June 11, 2025
A easy-to-read, super fun visual presenting a variety of types of art through the ages, viewed as a kitten chases a mouse. Includes note for discussion of the art processes used for the illustration pieces.
July 6, 2025
In this delightful and clever book, a cat chases a mouse through an art museum; the illustrations shift and vary in style as they race through many different places and eras of art! A fun story as well as learning experience.
October 22, 2025
Wow! Such an amazingly illustrated book. I hope this wins many awards. Brian Lies is extremely talented, so much hard work went into making Cat Nap. My adult son read this too and said it was very cool how Kitten jumped into different artworks.
October 22, 2025
You don't have to be an art nut to love this book!
Not only do the pictures remind me of a classic picture book, but the various mediums of real artworks that Kitten goes through is Caldecott worthy!
Adventurous with a hint of fun repetition, I love this book!
Not only do the pictures remind me of a classic picture book, but the various mediums of real artworks that Kitten goes through is Caldecott worthy!
Adventurous with a hint of fun repetition, I love this book!
October 24, 2025
I was in awe of the art made and photographed to make this book. You can't go wrong with a cute cat story! Best of all, a cat belongs absolutely everywhere! Yes, even in illuminated manuscripts and Japanese ink drawings. ESPECIALLY in ancient Egyptian art!
May 5, 2025
Perfection.
July 3, 2025
4 stars
I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher
A clever cat travels through the artwork of a museum.
I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher
A clever cat travels through the artwork of a museum.
August 22, 2025
An artistic delight!
September 29, 2025
Adorable and a great "journey" through some lovely art.
October 3, 2025
What a fun collage of history, art, and cats! This book could be a really fun read for anyone who is going to a museum with kids.
October 7, 2025
Beautifully illustrated
October 8, 2025
What a delight! Cat and art lovers of all ages will be transfixed by this kitty's romp through the history of human art. I won't be surprised if this one wins the Caldecott.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews