Cat Wishes

by Calista Brill, Kenard Pak (Illustrator)

In this playfully subversive fairytale, perfect for fans of Jon Klassen, the ever-skeptical Cat learns that wishes can come true—just not always in the ways we expect. At turns sly and sweet, this clever story about friendship will leave no doubt that true magic lies in our connections with others, not just the wishes we make.

There's no such thing as a wish. Or is there? In this playful fairy tale, ever-skeptical Cat learns that wishes can come true—and not always in the ways we expect. After all, true magic lies in our connections with others, not just in the wishes we make.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 24, 2018

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was just okay. Yes, it is like a fairy tale. We have a talking snake that grants wishes, and a cat that reasons like a human. It's a simple story, and while I liked the twist at the end that wraps everything up and brings the cat his wishes, I just felt like something was lacking. I'm not sure if it was something to do with the illustrations, or if it was just the very short nature of the story.

This isn't the worst picture book I've seen lately, but I have a feeling it's going to end up being pretty forgettable for me.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and a lovely little tale of a cat finding his way in the world.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a hungry cat spares the life of the snake he has caught, he is granted three wishes. No believer in such things, the feline nevertheless wishes for some fish to eat, a house of his own, and some company. Imagine his surprise when these wishes are granted one by one, and when the girl who shows up in response to his third wish, has been led there by her own three wishes...

The third picture-book I have read from author Calista Brill, following upon her Little Wing Learns to Fly and Tugboat Bill and the River Rescue , but the first I have picked up from illustrator Kenard Pak, Cat Wishes is an absolute delight. The story is billed as a fairy-tale in the dust-jacket blurb, but I liked how the granting of the cat's wishes could be put down to natural causes, in addition to magical ones. The artwork is beautiful, and I found the feline star here utterly charming. I will definitely seek out more of Pak's work! Recommended to young cat lovers and to fairy-tale fans.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stars for the story, 4 stars for the illustrations. A hungry cat is granted three wishes by a snake, and keeps wishing for things, but doesn't seem to realize when his wishes come true. I'm not sure what the point of the story is, really, unless it's that wishes DO come true. The illustrations are cute, however. This cat must be based on one of the illustrator's own kitties, because it has a snaggletooth--one tooth that doesn't fit inside the mouth, but sticks out. Most cats aren't like that. It gives the cat a bit of distinction. My favorite pictures are when he's pouncing on the snake. Reminds me of my own cats when they're hunting. While I wasn't thrilled with the story, I do recommend the book for the sweet illustrations. Cat lovers will probably pounce on it!

[Lata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story about a cat who is granted three wishes by a snake it catches. The cat scoffs, but things end up working out oddly well for the cat.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story. Love these illustrations by Kendard Pak

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, soft illustrations done in watercolor and digital media enhance this gentle story about a skeptical, hungry cat who catches a snake - the snake promising to grant Cat three wishes in exchange for his freedom. Even though there is "no such thing as a wish," wishes are granted when Cat is hungry (a pond with fish), when it's cold and rainy (a warm, welcoming house) and when Cat is surrounded by shadows in the dark night (a little girl in the house with a warm lap). The illustrations are by Baltimore native Kenard Pak, whose Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn was also lovely.

[Megan Sanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the cat's snaggletooth!

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book about a skeptical cat who gets three wishes.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are beautiful and emotion-filled. A hungry cat, wishing for something to eat, catches a snake...who promises the cat three wishes in exchange for sparing his life. In spite of Cat believing that there is not such thing as wishes, Cat lets the snake go. The text has a bit of repetition, such as there is "no such thing as a wish" and lots of great vocabulary like wiggly snake, "breezy air", "Cat walked on whisper feet" and rain that spots Cat's fur. There are lots of opportunities to engage a storytime audience - counting fish bones, and talking about what Cat is feeling at the various stages of the tale. Just a lovely, beautiful book.

[Isabel Batteria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the details in the illustrations: the snaggletooth, the cat's facial expressions.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Once in the windy wood, there was a hungry Cat.

Premise/plot: Cat Wishes reads like a fairy tale. A cat shows mercy to an animal--a snake of all things!--and receives three wishes in return. What will she wish for...and will her wishes come true?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one! It was a lovely, sweet story. Cat may be skeptical that wishes are real, but readers probably won't be.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the prose of a fairy tale comes the story of a cat who is granted three wishes by a snake whose life the hungry cat spares. Although the cat doesn't believe in wishes happenstances occur that gives the cat second thoughts.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and playful twist on the "three wishes granted" story line: will Cat's wishes be granted? Wishes maybe do come true; just not in the way we expect. The focus is also on how the connections we make in reality are just as important as our hopes and dreams.
Surprising and a little sly - just like a cat! I loved the artwork.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a simple book for preschoolers. A cat and a child both get their wishes at the same time.

[E Money The Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The snaggletooth! 😭

[Cloud · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute and Baby and I would give it a solid 3 stars.

She likes the snake, fish bones, and pointing out other aspects of the story and environment Cat travels through.

I found the story charming and easy to read multiple times. The artwork has a great soft dream-like feel and it has a happy ending.

[Blanco Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to confess that I fell in love with this book because Cat has a snaggletooth that is remarkably similar to my gorgeous lower fang that I show off with an Elvis-like lip curl. (The result of some dental work).
Kenard Pak's expressive illustrations were a delight.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate loved this simple and sweet book so much. He had me read it over and over. He still doesn't want to give it back to the lib. I loved the illustrations and the fact that it was about cute cats, natch. 5 stars.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can wishes come true? This is a cute book about a cat starting out being hungry at the beginning of the book. When the cat finds a snake to eat, things are never the same for the cat.

Soft pastle-ish illustrations give a tender, dreamlike feel to the story. Cute endpapers.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story in a fairy tale format. A little cat is granted three wishes from a snake it was planning to eat. The cat doesn’t believe that the wishes could possibly come true, but is surprised at the end. The twist ending of the book definitely left me with a smile on my face and redeemed the book for me, it otherwise would’ve been pretty forgettable.
As always, Pak’s illustrations here are top notch. I just love his use of color and lines. And his characters are always so adorable.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat Wishes is a feline-centric variation of The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish. As such a feral cat is prowling the woods in the hope to find a bite to eat when he catches a snake who offers him three wishes in the hopes that said cat will free him instead. Although the cat doesn't believe in wishes he does end up releasing the snake before going on his way.

The text is a wonderful combination that moves the story forward rather smoothly mixed with some onomatopoeia. Along with the chorus that the cat repeats it makes for a fun story that isn't only a bit repetitive but also engages the reader to immerse themselves in this telling.

At the same time the illustrations are full page with some room for the text. Although not as brightly colored as some children's books the details are rich and the cat is adorable with his one fang hanging out. As such readers will come to love their kitty protagonist even as they prowl the woods with him.

This is one book I would recommend to cat readers of all ages but especially for young readers who truly enjoy fairytales and cats.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of stories have magical wishes being granted, but the cat in this lovely picture book is not a believer in wishes. He's hungry, homeless, and lonely. A wiggly snake promises to grant three wishes for the cat in exchange for letting him go. Reluctantly, the cat lets the snake go, even though he doesn't believe in wishes. However, each wish appears to come true: fish, a house, a friend...This book leaves enough room for young readers to wonder whether or not there was magic involved.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story about a Hungry Cat who comes across a Slytherin snake who makes an arrangement with the cat. The snake of Grants the cat 3 wishes as long as the cat promises not to kill the snake. While the cat continues on its Adventure it makes these three wishes doubting the snake and well they don't work out exactly like the cat wanted in the end it all comes together.

[Raven Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great illustrations. Slightly odd story, but overall really sweet bedtime story.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is pretty forgettable and I found the illustrations distracted from the story.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this author's name was Calista and I had to read another Calista's work.

The artwork was watercolor and digital. It made for a dreamy sort of story. Is this all just a cat dream, who knows.

A cat is hungry in nature and finds a snake it wants to eat. The snake will grant it 3 wishes if the cat won't eat it. The cat doesn't believe in that, but he lets the snake go anyway. His wishes are small and easy to get. He could have gotten them on his own, accept maybe the last one.

The small twist at the end is that someone else did the same.

A cute story. Cat lovers will enjoy this one.

[Tayler K · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful! I love the wispy style and how the wishes have bright colors, while the regular surroundings are done in lovely browns, grays, and leafy greens. Cat is so cute and has great expressions. I'd really like to put some of these in little frames. I also liked how the text was placed in different spots on the page and could move and get bigger to help convey the story.

It's just like a cat to be a huge skeptic and pretend it's right all along! I really liked how at the end the little girl had the same wishes as the cat.

[Ana Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming book of a cat that is granted three wishes despite not believing.
The wishes come to him in ways he couldn’t have imagined. The illustrations in this book are soft and warm which fit the storyline perfectly. They also help further express the cat's emotions throughout the story such as when he is doubtful of his wishes coming true. I think the empathy shown in this book is great for kids to learn from at any grade level.

[Joan Almond · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Message of Cat Wishes by Calista Brill is wise and hopeful. "Your wishes will come true just not how you expect them to." The author has written this fun and uncomplicated fairytale with brilliant simplicity! Kenard Pak's illustrations in warm, soft , earthy tones seem a perfect fit. BTW: My cat Tiger, my kitty was my dream come true, while I was expecting a dog! Cat Wishes , written by Calista Brill , and illustrated by Kenard Pak is published by HMH Books for Young Readers.