Stick Cat: Cats in the City

Stick Cat #2

by Tom Watson

Stick Cat is going somewhere he’s never been before—his best friend Edith’s apartment. It’s got everything: donut crumbs in the sink, a fire escape, and a window with a great view of the big city.

While admiring the view, Stick Cat sees trouble. Hazel, the bagel maker, is in serious danger in the building across the alley. Stick Cat will use his smarts—and Edith’s appetite—to devise a rescue plan. But can Hazel hang on long enough for this dynamic duo to save her?

Genres: Humor, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Juvenile

224 pages, Hardcover

Published April 25, 2017

About the author

Tom is the author and draws the original sketches for all the Stick Dog stories. He lives in Chicago with his wife, daughter and son. They also have a dog named Shadow. Tom did not want to name the dog Shadow. He wanted to name him ‘Put Your Shirt On.’ It’s a long story. Sometimes when Tom is visiting schools, he shares the story.

Tom’s first jobs out of college were in politics. He worked for U.S. Senator John Glenn and as the Chief Speechwriter for the Governor of Ohio. He has also worked in marketing and advertising. He likes writing books for kids a lot more than writing speeches and other things for grown-ups. He thinks kids are way smarter than grown-ups.

He LOVES writing the Stick Dog adventures.

Reviews

[Ewan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What was the story about?
Stick cat goes to see Edith. They were looking out of the window and saw Hazel in trouble. They helped her to get safe and Edith's owner gave them Lox (treats).

Who were the characters?
Stick cat, Hazel the bagel maker, Edith

What did you like about the book?
I liked when they swung across the alley way.
When Hazel fell in the pot.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Edith... you spoiled, adorable cat.

[Jane Maple · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Stick Cat's owner heads off for work, Stick Cat usually has Edith come over to visit through a hole in the bathroom wall. However, today Edith suggests that Stick Cat should come visit her apartment (although she does insist that he waits for her to formally invite him before he can enter into the apartment.) Once Stick Cat does come in he enjoys exploring the new apartment and especially watching out the window at the new view such as watching a woman in the building across the way making bagels with water and cloud powder (flour) in a very large vat. But in watching Hazel, the bagel maker, do her work, Stick Cat sees Hazel slip in. Stick Cat knows they have to save Hazel but it is hard to get Edith awake and focused on getting over there. He finally convinces her by suggesting they might get Lox (which Edith mentioned she liked) if they rescue Hazel. Edith is then motivated and even comes up with an idea how to get to the next building. She suggests parachutes. However, Stick Cat knows that parachutes won't work, but Edith goes to the window sill and jumps with a tea towel. For a second Stick Cat doesn't look out he is sure Edith is gone and is very sad to have lost his friend. But then when he does look he finds out that she did make it across by using a cable and internet wire as a zip line. The book stops here and briefly explains zip lines and reminds young readers not to create their own zip lines (don't try this at home warning). Stick Cat does try and does get across although he gets stuck toward the end and Edith has to shake the cable to get him to go the last distance. Stick Cat is so happy to make it to the other building he hugs the building. Next they go in and try to figure out how to save Hazel. Stick Cat thinks of a plan (although he pretends it is Edith's plan and she enjoys taking the credit for it even though she doesn't know what it is). The pull down the round bagel sign and use it as a life preserver which helps Hazel float in the dough and then uses the hose to put water into the huge vat so Hazel can rise up with the water level until she can grasp the stairs and get out. Now they have to get back to their apartment before their owners get home, but how are they going to do that. They can't go up the zip line. Edith is too focused on trying to find Lox to help Stick Cat, but eventually Stick Cat comes up with the idea of holding on to the internet cable, cutting it with one of the bakery knives and swinging over to the fire escape on their building. They do it. (Edith - the thrill lover, enjoys the journey, Stick Cat who is more cautious once again hugs the wall when he gets over safely. Then Edith races up the fire escape to her apartment, while Stick Cat proceeds more cautiously. Once back in Edith's apartment they look back and see that Hazel is out of the vat and sees them in their apartment and is counting floors. Both cats sleep and are woken my someone outside the door, they think it is Edith's owner but it turns out it is not. Later when Edith's owner comes home they find out that Hazel left bagels and Lox outside Edith's door. Edith (who through out the story never shared any food, such as donuts crumbs which she finds in the sink or her special breakfast which she convinced her owner to make her by not eating the dry food) does share the Lox with Stick Cat who does agree that it is very tasty. The end.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book by Tom Watson, the author of the Stick Dog series. This is the first book I've read by Tom Watson & was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it!
Stick Cat has a friend named Edith, who lives in the apartment next door. They have a secret door in the wall that joins their two bathrooms. It's secret because it is at the back
of their bathroom cabinets. Even their humans don't know it's there. They made the door themselves by clawing the wall. Everyday after there owners leave for work, Edith climbs into her cabinet, through the hole, and into Stick Cat's cabinet. Then they spend the whole day in Stick Cat's apartment. But today Edith has finally invited Stick Cat to her apartment. Edith's apartment is great! There are doughnut crumbs in the sink, soft pillows to sleep on & best of all a window with a great view of the city. While Edith snoozes Stick Cat enjoys the view. Then, through the window, he sees someone in trouble. Suddenly Stick & Edith are out of the apartment and in the big city. Edith is on a quest to fill her already full tummy & Stick Cat is on a mission to save someone from death by bagel batter.
The book is full of humorous text and illustrations. The larger text and amount of white space on each page make this a great chapter book for even the most reluctant reader. Also great for fans of Big Nate, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Timmy Failure, and of course the Stick Dog series.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edith invites Stick Cat to come visit her apartment for the first time. While there, they witness the bagel store owner, Hazel, slip and fall into her giant vat of bagel dough in the building across the way. Stick Cat knows they might be Hazel’s only hope of rescue. But how do they get over there and get her out of that giant vat?

Every time I read one of these I marvel at Stick Cat’s patience with and clever handling of Edith. She would drive me up a wall with her self-absorbedness and cluelessness, but Stick Cat never loses his cool with her and is a good friend even when she sometimes isn’t (though she’s kind of oblivious to it). I like how the cats help out Hazel and Stick Cat’s quick thinking and ingenuity. Overall, a bit of a zany rescue story, but with a good heart.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Hazel is in peril from drowning in dough, but the cats rescue her in time so she’s just tired out, not hurt.
Ethnic diversity: Hazel appears to be white American (possibly Jewish since she sells bagels and lox, but that’s just conjecture). The cats are cats.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Edith thinks the world revolves around her and is not the smartest cat in the world (she can't catch a hint even when it hits her between the eyes). It can be painful to read her thought process (but also sometimes funny).

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second title in the Stick Cat series by the same author as the Stick Dog books. These books prove a good author can get along with very simple, i.e. stick drawings, if the stories are interesting enough to carry the reader through. Once again, Stick Cat, and his rather annoying side-kick, set off to rescue someone, as they did the in the first Stick Cat title. This time, a woman who lives across the alley, has fallen into a vat of very thick bagel dough, and is unable to pull herself out. Once the cats find a way to get across to the other building, mind you these are high rises, their next challenge is to figure out a way to complete the rescue. The best part of these stories is the interplay between Stick Cat and Edith. It is at times amusing and at other times aggravating as Edith can be rather self-centered and dense. Finally, they succeed and then must find a way back across the alley to their own building. They manage to get back to their own apartments right before their owners return from work. Great fun for young readers.

[Sheri S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised by how amusing this book was. I didn't have high hopes when my kid picked out this book. However, the story was entertaining, if not a bit absurd, and I really enjoyed both cat characters. Edith is a typical, stuck up and selfish cat, who manages to get along with the more sensibly minded Stick Cat. Together, they have a crazy adventure together involving saving the life of Hazel, the bagel maker. This was such a fun book that I am looking forward to reading/listening to others in the series!

[Yara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I reallyyyyyyy loooove reading Children’s books 💚💚

They always make me smile, laugh the loudest, and actually zone out from reality completely for a while 💚💚

I mean everything in a children’s book is possible and lovely, and it just feeds into my weird/imaginative vide, so yeah 💚💚

To more children’s books in the future to come 💆🏻‍♀️💆🏻‍♀️🧜🏻‍♀️

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wish the author wrote supporting characters for these series who weren't so obnoxious and intelligent. It makes the plot so drawn out and unenjoyable. Anyway, Stick Cat and Edith hang out at Edith's apartment instead of Stick Cat's for the first time ever, and Hazel the bagel lady falls into a huge vat of bagel batter.

[Jnase1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first and better than the Stuck Dog series. Still very silly, but I actually laughed a little. Maybe I enjoyed it because I am more of a cat person than a dog person. IDK- but young readers will enjoy it.

[Ellen Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, I have to say, the illustrations are awesome! And Edith is so funny, even if she is annoying. I wonder at Stick Cat's high level of patience with her. I would probably push her over and pretend that it was an accident. 😁

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extra Info

I know why you wanted your dog to be named Put Your Shirt On because at your neighborhood there is a man that doesn't wear shirt and so you could make your dog run away and then say "Hey! Put Your Shirt On! Put Your Shirt On!"

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stick Cat spends the day in his best friend's Edith's apartment for the first time. Stick Cat is amazed at the view from Edith's window. What Stick Cat sees out the window takes him and Edith out of the apartment on a rescue mission.

[Mompop · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a cat lover vs. dog lover - here's a series for you (dog lovers might enjoy Stick Dog series by Tom Watson, a bit more).

[Stacey Socholotuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and outrageous all at once. These books are a big hit with students and a fun read. Recommended for grades 2-5

[Jill Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really funny! I understand why the kids love these books.

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a lot like the stick dog series. It is funny and interesting

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stick Cat saves the day!

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Erica Flory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish stick cat was my cat.

[Katie Buckingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute kids series. Perfect amount of words vs images and great writing. My 4th grader loves them and they are enjoyable to read together.

[Jessi Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had fun reading this book with my daughter for her book report 😀

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sequel has Stick Cat and his self-absorbed friend, Edith, saving a bagel maker. There's more dialogue than action, but it's a cute story.

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's a good book for kids with dogs or cats

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book 📚😁😁 while this was a great book there is not as much action as the Stick Dog books. (from my 8 year old reader/reviewer)

[Ronda Canary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

meh

[Amy Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

stick cat is getting g a little crazy with his stunts. this book was pretty unbelievable. i’m sure cars are smart but this book stretched the imagination. edith is the epitome of a cat.

[Toast · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I want bagels