In this tender, beautifully illustrated picture book, readers follow George—a dreamy, thoughtful cat—as he rests in sunbeams, watches the world pass by, and reflects on quiet moments. The story begins from an outside perspective, then gently shifts into George’s own voice—inviting children and grown-ups alike to slow down and listen more closely… to cats, to stillness, and maybe even to themselves.
What George Thinks When He Sits Still is a calming, poetic experience for cat lovers, gentle-hearted children, teachers, and anyone who finds magic in quiet moments. Whether enjoyed at bedtime or shared in a classroom, it’s a beautiful resource for lesson planning, SEL conversations, and imaginative storytime.
The book also introduces young readers to first- and third-person narration, making it a thoughtful addition to classrooms and homeschool settings.
Aligned with Common Core ELA standards for grades K–3, this book
Narrative perspective (RL.1.6, RL.2.6)Text and illustration analysis (RL.1.7, RL.2.7)Social-emotional learning and mindful reflection
A perfect choice
Curious and gentle readers ages 4–9SEL and mindfulness momentsCozy classrooms or quiet bedtime ritualsCat lovers of all agesTeachers seeking literature for lesson planning or anchor textsFamilies and educators who believe stillness can be magical
Cats and little flowers surrounded by positive thoughts. It could have been adorable, but it's just disgraceful and dishonest.
I had my doubts right from the cover, with its tones and style so typical of AI, but the following pages only confirmed my suspicions... The cat has no consistency from one page to the next: it's missing bits of tail, the ear appears in the back, the human doesn't have its head in the bed... It's a disaster to sell such a product. Above all, I couldn't find any mention of the use of AI.
The text (like the images) is soulless, bland and meaningless - not to mention repetitive.
What a surprise (or not): at the end of the 'book', in the 'About the author' section, the author explains that she writes, but never says that she draws. At no point does she mention AI, even though the book's entire illustration clearly depends on it.
The Instagram account of the initiator of the project is no longer accessible since I wrote this text. It's a pity, because it contained photos of cats - she could have used them to create real montages and honour her cat, along with her texts.
What George Thinks When He Sits Still is something between Graphic Novel, Children's Book and Poetry. Or maybe rather than existing in-between those categories it combines them.
The language is soft and easy to follow and can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. The art style is comforting, combining warm and soft colours and thus creating an environment of coziness and comfort.
The message that can be found throughout the book reminds us that beauty lies within the moment, and often can be found if only we remember to open our eyes. George invites us to reflect on those silent moments, which for me specifically often can be found cramped in the midst of day-to-day life.
Unlike my own cat (who is a very yell-y boy) George (who is a very brave knight) appreciates the quieter side of life and invites us to join him.
George wonders where shadows go when the lights turn on. He thinks maybe they curl up behind the books, waiting for bedtime stories.
As I understand it, this book is self-published by the author. There are individual oddities to be found, such as George suddenly having 3 front paws. To be fair, I do believe everyone has found themselves in situations where an additional limb would've been more than handy, so rather than thinking of them as inconsistencies I enjoyed looking for them.
You can tell a lot of time, thought and love were poured into this and I hope George has many more still moments to enjoy and share with us.
I want to thank NetGalley and Caroline Bell (and George) for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
EDIT: Remember how I talked about oddities? Another review mentioned this was AI art. So after going back and looking at some of the (naively titled) "oddities" again, it's very obvious the author created the illustrations with the help of AI. I don't know to which extent AI was used, but there are multiple instances (feet and legs without torso/ head in bed, the 3 front paws, ...).
Looking back I am a bit embarrassed about thinking the 3 front paws were an honest mistake, because how would that even happen? Anyway. I checked what exactly the author said in their book/ NetGalley Info and they claimed "all illustrations lovingly created" by themselves.
While that isn't completely dishonest, I'd think it fair to mention the involvement of AI. Revaluating my review with this new information leaves a somewhat bitter taste, considering that the obvious AI-mistakes found within the art weren't even bothered to be corrected. This could leave the impression of some hastily thrown together work or not valuing honesty with your readers. So please make up your own mind regarding that issue.
Because of the above I chose to change my rating to 3/5 (benevolent) stars.
this was so precious! this graphic novel follows george, a house cat with a big heart and a big imagination. i loved the illustrations, especially the one of george looking up at the night sky, and the one of george as a knight, resting in a catnip garden with his little dragon friend. this story is full of little reminders that beauty is everywhere— and that cats see the magic in the ordinary. this was such a calming and cheerful read. i highly recommend to all the cat lovers out there! 🐈🪻💫
thank you so much to netgalley for sending an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
at first glance i thought i would love this. what George thinks when he sits promises cats, sweet drawings, a cozy aesthetic, slow living + appreciatimg the small things in life.
i was so excited to read this but the more i read the more my excitement slowly dwindled. instead of a flowing, cohesive story; this came off as individual pages featuring a short paragraphs with a matching photo. which is fine, I guess... but that's not what i was looking for. nothing made sense together, it was shallow, repetitive and i found myself confused.
the artwork at surface level is cute. but taking a closer look the artwork was very inconsistent. i will give a few examples: tea cups missing the string for the hanging teabag, wonky hearts, cat ear on what looks like it's back, weird cat arm placement coming from his chest eating ice cream, only feet on a bed with the cat (no head in sight), cat in box but tail is outside the box. i have seen many reviews accusing the author of using ai, while i won't say that, i do think that the artwork should be the same if not very similar throughout the entire novel. the fact that i can find so many discrepancies is disappointing. this needs another round of editing :(
My thanks to Chantilly Cat Press for a review copy of this book via NetGalley
A beautiful picture book with a great aesthetic and palette which I liked very much and also which captures a sentiment perhaps appreciated even more by older readers (though one valuable and relevant for children too in the current times)—that of sitting in silence and stillness and appreciating what’s around one and what one has—nature, the people who love us, and just the comfort and warmth we have at any given moment.
In the book we get a look at what George the Cat might be thinking or feeling when he sits still: the beauty of the quiet and of silence, something that can bring about happiness of its own kind. He might pick up on his human’s musing on the flowers or he might contemplate the wind, or he might even nap, comfortable and secure in the love that surrounds him. He watches a moth at different times of the day or simply enjoys the softness and warmth of the bed. He imagines the purr of the stars and the smell of warm milk or sometimes he simply sits beside his human, each conscious of the other’s love.
The palette, largely beige/cream (George is a ginger tom) with other colours in muted shades gives the same gentle, comforting vibe as the book and its sentiment (of love, of safety, of care) as we move from everyday moments to the world of imagination and dreams, between day and night and times in between.
This book is simple but subtly puts across its message, one I hope the intended readership picks up on too: that one needs to be still and in silence at times, simply noticing the small everyday things around us, whether the flowers or the ticking of the clock. Likewise, escaping into the world of dreams and the imagination has its own rewards, too, bringing about happiness of another kind. Amidst all the noise, bombardments and overloads of information, and brightness and distractions of the world today, this is an invaluable message for all of us: to spare a few moments for silence and enjoy the treasures it offers, and those unveiled by just being with your thoughts.
A beautiful book and sentiment which fills one with a great deal of warmth.
p.s. The author also shares with us the real George’s favourite things, among them Cat TV (the window) and the boxes! p.p.s. A lot of reviews have suggested that the art here is AI, which may be, but I still thought it was very cute, with a great palette and incorporates a wonderful sentiment.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Update Pretty sad to find out this was apparently made with AI.
This was super cute for and very nice for what it is. Although advertised as a children's book, I don't think I could get my son to settle down long enough to read this with me. However, this makes for a lovely little book for cat fans. It is beautifully illustrated and does convey a bit of wisdom: find some quiet and enjoy the world around you in this busy time we live in.
It may not be anything groundbreaking but I feel as though this could make a nice feel good book that a cat lover can pull off the shelf in times of poor mood to just lighten up the spirits.
This was absolutely adorable. I don't have a cat, but the stray I pet constantly is getting extra turkey tomorrow because I'm so emotional and soft and fuzzy over this little gem of a book.
The writing is filled with love and the illustrations are so pretty and comforting<3
I don't care if you're a child, grandpa, cat owner, allergic to cats, have never seen a cat in your entire life : You NEED to read this.
while reading i thought this was a very cute and cozy little book, mainly advertised as a children's book but it doesn't have to be exclusively for younger audiences as it conveys a sweet message to everyone.
however, i felt there was a little something off about the artwork, and looking it up confirmed it was created completely, or at least partly, with AI.
AI doesn't belong in creative spaces. it's a shame, really, since it makes the whole story seem soulless and takes away from the personal connection to it, when it's such a cute concept.
thank you netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This is pitched as an illustrated picture book that follows a cat's thoughts and routine. That would be a very good idea and concept for cute and wholesome illustrations if it weren't for the fact that this is blatantly made by AI. I'm surprised there wasn't any prompt that slipped in the """editing""" process.
There can be found: oddly shaped feet, inconsistencies (cat is inside a box but at the same time its tail is peeking outside of it), paws that disappear, changes in the point of view in which it's narrated, and most important of all, no consistency in the drawing style of George; he keeps changing breed and even color throughout it.
AI art can't be tolerated.
Thanks to NetGalley and Chantilly Cat Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
George is a calm and sweet-mannered cat and the book follows his little habits and favourite things. The illustrations are soft and so beautiful, and the short paragraphs that accompany them are almost poetic.
My favourite paragraph has to be, "And when you sit still beside him, he doesn't think at all. He just feels. Like the world is soft, and time is kind, and love is something for him." 🥹🥹🥹
There are some cat facts towards the end of the book that I found pretty fun too. I could see my cat-lover child-self absolutely loving this book. The words are simple enough for any kid under 9 years old to read or learn.
If you're a cat lover with a young child or just a cat lover who loves cat illustrations, this is definitely for you 😻
"What George thinks when he sits still" captures the essence of life and love. It's so soothing and relaxing. The author has described her cat's habit of finding peace and the sense of stillness that completely changed her perspective. Her cat, George teaches her the power of stillness and finding the moments of joy and happiness in every moment of life. Whether it's the perfect sunlight or a cosy blanket with just the right amount of warmth and comfort, it's all about your perspective.
George lets us discover the happiness in the smallest of things, living the magical dreams and being grateful for the safety, comfort, love and affection. George also highlights the importance of creativity and imagination, they are the key ingredients to make your life beautifully magical and mesmerizing.
I would highly recommend this book to all and for cat enthusiasts you will be delighted to find George as your friend within pages. I think this book has something for everyone.
What I loved most about this book was definitely the art style—it’s so cute and gives you a warm feeling while reading! I also liked the switch from the outside viewer’s perspective to George the cat’s.
However, the different scenes felt disconnected from each other and I was a bit confused about why one scene would shift so suddenly to the next without a smooth transition.
i originally requested this book on netgalley because i like cats, and the premise of it seemed nice.
as i was reading the book i noticed some discrepancies. the art style of moths changed 3 different times in three pages and i had an inkling it was ai generated. but i thought maybe i was overthinking it.
while i continued reading more of the images were just very clearly ai generated and were not illustrated by the author. some of the wording of the sentences didn’t quite make sense and i was confused. it felt almost soulless like there wasn’t actually someone writing it.
my initial rating for this was going to be 5 stars because i truly loved the adorable concept behind this graphic novel / children's book. and as a cat lover myself, this was everything i was looking for. however, after reading other people's reviews, i have come to the realisation that either this book's illustrations were ai-generated, or some serious inconsistencies were missed during the editing phase. for example, the most distinct inconsistencies were 3 front paws, cat's tail outside of box, a person's feet in bed without the head / body, etc. this didn't leave the best impression.
i am not one to accuse the author of anything, but i feel like the artworks and style should be at least a bit similar if not the same throughout the whole book. so i am a bit disappointed. and if ai was used to any extent, it should be worth mentioning.
˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to NetGalley, Chantilly Cat Press, and Caroline Bell for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗
I thought from the cover this was going to be up mine and my sons alley, however it became very clear very quickly that the illustrations were created by ai generation, and a lot of the wording had me doubting how much was actually written by the 'author' and how much was written by ai generation as well. The more you look at the pictures and the more you read some of the sentences more than once you'll also see the issues. So disappointed that this came into my reading space when I am normally staunch about keep ai generated junk out of it. The 'author' should be ashamed of herself, that's if she's even a real person. Thank you net galley for the E-ARC of this, I'm so thankful I didn't spend any money on it.
Thank you to Chantilly Cat Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A beautifully illustrated book about George the cat and his musings. As a cat lover I smiled so much, recognising the universal language of cats that the author has conveyed so brilliantly through words and art. You can tell this was written with love, and it was a gorgeous way to start my morning. Highly recommend if you love cats!
Truthfully don’t know what the point of this book was and then come to find out, the illustrations are AI produced. 😑🙃 Big no no for me.
The writing itself was repetitive. I see what the author was trying to point out, about the beauty of sitting still and seeing the world through a cat’s POV. But even that fell flat for me.
Thank you NetGalley, Chantilly Cat Press and Caroline Bell for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This was a cute read about what goes on in the mind of a cat named George, while he sits still. It was cozy and lighthearted and a fast read in one sitting. The pictures were a joy to look at while reading. I think anyone with a cat or who loves animals will enjoy this.
“It sounds like velvet folding into a smile”. This might be the prettiest thing I’ve read in a long time.
I’ll be honest, I really liked the concept of the book and the illustrations, it made my heart really warm, made me want to have a cat of my own. However, it is true that there are a few sentences and illustrations that seemed a bit off and weird (like the person in bed missing their upper body or the extra leg while eating ice cream).
This unfortunately makes it look like it’s AI generated and that takes away all the magic of the book. I’m sure there are a lot of real artists out there that will happily illustrate this story.
Yo estaba disfrutando un montón hasta que he entrado a Goodreads y he leído que estaba hecho con IA 🤡 Luego, mirándolo bien, es verdad que a veces el gato tenía 3 o 5 patas, o la oreja al revés
I read this arc from netgalley and something about it just felt off. The cat, George, looks different from page to page. Sometimes his ear is on his back instead of his head. On the page with the ice cream cone, he's got an extra arm. The idea is cute but both the writing and art are soulless and most likely AI which is very disappointing.
Well… I have doubts about the authenticity of this book as well. Some illustrations are well done and others you wonder if AI isn’t doing the job. Overall, for the story and the general look, it’s really cute and positive…. But, I might be wrong and it’s the artist style, but, some details indicated that it isn’t all handmade by the artist.
If it’s the case, it’s not a good thing. At all. And it’s a shame. If I’m wrong, sorry, and keep the good work. Maybe adjust the illustrations that are showing signs of AI in it then to avoid misunderstanding and doubts :)
NOTE: I reassessed this book because something felt off about it. The words felt repetitive and even though there was an underlying theme of stillness and living in the moment, something didn’t feel quite right…
I saw multiple reviews after I read it saying it’s AI generated so I put the pictures through an AI generator detector (which accurately identified all the other photos I tried as either AI or not) - and it said the images are likely 100% AI. That doesn’t mean it definitively is because this can make mistakes too, but it would really explain why I felt like something was off.
So for this reason, I bumped it down to a 2/5. I still enjoy the concept of a book from a cat’s perspective and “George” and the illustrations - even if AI-generated - are still cute but the more I thought on, the more something inside me felt there it was weird and not authentically cozy - it actually felt a little nonsensical.
If it truly is AI generated (especially the words as well as the illustrations) that’s disappointing. I couldn’t find any information on the author and this is their only book on GoodReads too - the name is a common one so that makes it harder to look into. All I found related to this book was a YouTube channel that just posted a couple videos recently related to the character of George that also seem to be AI generated.
Since I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was weird and didn’t feel like a sincere book, I can’t give it anything more than a 2.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5–3.75 stars) As cat lovers (our family shares our home with four meows), my son and I were excited to read this sweet little book about George and his quiet reflections. The tone is gentle, the vibe cozy, and the illustrations are cute, making this a light and enjoyable read for anyone who appreciates cat-themed stories.
That said, the book felt a bit chaotic at times, like it wasn’t quite sure who its audience was. Some parts feel kid-focused, others more adult and poetic. The artwork is soft and consistent, though a few repeated poses and oddly placed tails made me wonder if there might have been digital assistance, despite the “100% human-made” note (for the record, I personally don’t have an issue with this, but it has been a topic of debate in other reviews across platforms).
Still, it’s a charming idea, and we enjoyed flipping through it together. A cozy, quirky read, especially for fellow cat people.
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
George is a cat, and like most cats, he observes, and he shows love in a way that is unique to cats. This book is a gentle, almost poetic reminder that if you've got a cat on your side, you don't have to feel unloved or unseen.
The illustrations are really the star of this book. Its in the vein of gentle affirmations but with animal charm. The colors and style of the artwork are peaceful and give me joy, and the words are a sweet reminder that even when things are stressful, there are always moments of warmth to be found. I think the book was a little longer than it needed to be. It got redundant after a while. But if you read it in more than one sitting (rather than straight through like I did), you could find new things to enjoy in each page. This book would be a lovely addition to an affirming daily routine for children or adults.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Let us all take a lesson from George and just slow down. Notice the movements of those around you, embrace the environment you are in, and just find a nice, warm slab of hardwood floor to sunbathe in.
A very quick and delightful read, Caroline Bell does a wonderful job of bringing readers into George's world and allowing them to ruminate in the comforts of cat life.
However, as other readers have noted, I became skeptical of the use of AI in this graphic novel when I noticed issues with the cat illustrations: missing paws, random paws, and tails sticking out of boxes. It was definitely a bummer when my suspicions were further heightened when other readers noted the same issues. It brought into question whether or not the author also used AI to write the graphic novel.
Tread carefully if you choose to pick up this graphic novel.