The Cat Book

by Silvia Borando

Whatever the species, your new companion animal needs your help and these interactive books will have you smiling as you comply.
Who s that, curled in a ball? Call out his name to wake him! Now turn the page and see him give a big stretch, waiting for you to pat him. Purr, purr, purr. Aww. But what s that? Fleas! Quick, squish them with your finger! As this pampered cat s day progresses, readers will have their hands full, acting as umbrella and towel and even clapping their hands loudly to save a bird . . . oh no!"

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Silvia Borando works as a visual designer for Studio Tiwi, where she loves to explore her great passion for color. She also heads up minibombo, a children’s publishing house based in Italy that brings together a love of stories, illustration, and interactivity to create innovative graphic picture books. She lives in Italy.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A napping kitty cat is woken by the petting of the reader, who, instructed by the narrator, has a series of entertaining interactions with the feline, before he settles down to sleep again. Each two-page spread features the cat in a different position or condition, observed in black text, as well as instructions in green text for the next action that the reader/listener should take, from tickling the cat under the chin, to sheltering him from the rain with their hand.

Originally published in Italy as Il libro gatto, this delightfully interactive little picture-book reminded me quite a bit of Frenchman Hervé Tullet's Press Here , which also features a series of instructions to the reader, in which the desired actions seem to affect the progression of the story. I like that these books are so interactive, without requiring any sort of complicated (and highly destructible) paper engineering. The simple but colorful artwork here is also appealing. Recommended to anyone looking for the next book, after exhausting Hervé Tullet and the like.

[Sarah T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUCK. ME. I LOVE CAT BOOKS.

Seeing that this is still high noon pandemic time and when I find books I have to consider whether or not a book would be better for in-person storytimes (whenever it happens that we can have them again; I'm in no hurry btw, as much as I miss storytimes), or virtual.

While I think this would be better for in-person storytimes, I think I could make it work for virtual. I would LOVE read this book to a crowd someday.

[Kalynne]

Storytime 64 kids ages 0-5

Introduction and announcements (2-3 minutes): My Hands Say Hello
Book one (3-4 minutes): I am a Cat by Galia Bernstein

Song/rhyme/game one (3-4 minutes): A Great Big Cat Action Rhyme

A great big cat (arms out showing a big belly)
And a little bitty mouse (look between index finger and thumb)
Went round and round (make fists and go around and around wrists)
In the great big house (make a peak above your head with your hands touching)
The little bitty mouse (look between index finger and thumb)
Got caught at last (clap hands together)
Because the great big cat (arms out showing a big belly)
Ran so fast (make fists go around and around wrists)

Book two (3-4 minutes): The Cat Book by Silvia Borando

Song/rhyme/game two (3-4 minutes): Silly Dance Contest by Jim Gills with ribbon braclets

Book three (3-4 minutes): The Best Cat by Valeri Gorbachev

Song/ rhyme/ game three (3-4 minutes): Wag your Tail by Super Simple Songs

Special Signs: cat, pet, lion, tiger

Activity: https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/surpr...

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun interactive book for read aloud or silent reading. The twist is the addition of a cat that the reader gets to name, pet, & protect throughout the book. Young listeners & readers will enjoy this book, and I'm sure they will provide the giggles along the way. Recommended for public libraries.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delight! A light-hearted literary simulation of cat ownership. You start by naming your cat, and then calling out its name! Like many interactive picture books, it would work better on a lap than with a crowd, but I think it's adaptable. Ends with wishing your cat goodnight - I always appreciate a book with a built-in transition.

[Kim Redington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE an interactive book with young readers! The readers follow an interactive adventure with a cat! Name him and call him to wake him up, pet him, use your hand as an umbrella for him as it rains, clap loudly to save a bird, and much more! Such a fun book and easily holds the interest of all readers!

[Dewey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same thoughts as "The Dog Book." The interactive opportunities are great and would be even better if the book were a little bigger so it was easier to use with a group. I also wish "they" had been used instead of "he" because cats can be boys OR girls. But overall, this is really cute.

[Lilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Library find.

I love books that interact in this way. (Tells the reader to stroke the cat or squish the flies, etc. before turning the page.) It brings reading to life for young listeners. If you have a toddler age child, I would absolutely recommend.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun interactive book - would be great for storytime!

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute interactive picture book for cat lovers of all ages, especially the very young.

[Selena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Even I felt obligated to follow all the instructions to make the cat happy. Kids are going to eat this up.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool interactive element (the pages and pictures are static -- no flaps or textures -- but readers are instructed to "stroke (kitty's) back," squash rogue fleas, and more on each page.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! Kind of a "Press Here" with a cat.

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, well that was just precious.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is very interactive and great for kids who are learning to follow directions, you know, provided they like cats :)

[Shamika Fusco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a child instant gratification. Very fun!!!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable interactive book in which you name an orange, wake him up, and play with him. Lots of fun!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good interactive fun for a storytime.

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute idea and illustration.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This simple book asks the reader to interact with the book and a cat as the cat goes through it's day. very cute and I love the interaction. toddler and up

[Milton Louie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interacting with the cat. B

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Will probably skip for storytime.

[Kris Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very cute. It reminded me of that book called 'Press Here' the way it was interactive with the reader. Great for story time or a bed time book!

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat has fleas, so help smoosh them out. Cat hates being wet from the rain, so help dry him off.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfetto per i bimbi di 2/4 anni (sullo stile di Hervé Tullet). La mia piccolina di 2 anni e mezzo lo adora!

[Megan Gery · Rating 4 out of 5]

P (18 months) was really into this one.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun interactive book

[Francis S. Poesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and colorful interactive book for young cat lovers who might not have a real cat to take care of.

[Gaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

melhor livro da história das histórias

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time to wake up the cat and take care of them. It's interactive but only works well for one-on-one reading. The small size lends itself to small hands turning the pages.