Come Back, Cat

by Joan L. Nodset, Steven Kellogg (Illustrations)

How to love a Hold him gently in your lap. But don't panic if he bites—he's only playing. Be careful not to scare him away. Listen for his motor. He's telling you he loves you, too! After being out of print for many years, the beloved story about a persistent little girl, a capricious cat, and the wild apartment-building chase that ensues is available again. From Joan L. Nodset and Steven Kellogg, the author and illustrator of the original two-color book, comes this enlarged edition, exquisitely reillustrated with full-color mixed-media paintings.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Tiuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

So funny lol…if you have had cats in your life. “Yes, you can lick my face. That feels funny. Your tongue feels so rough.” And: “Oh cat! I hear your motor.”

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly refreshing tale (or tail) on conflict resolution, getting along with others and being a friend (to all creatures great and small).

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our family loves this book. My one year old keeps asking me to read this book again and again. It seems just the way a child would play with a cat. A little of patience and being gentle a pet will return the love back. The pictures go along with the story and emotions. They are beautiful too.

[Purl Scout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hysterically funny. It had both of my kids (age 2 1/2 and 4 1/2) laughing so hard that no sound was coming out. Come Back, Cat offers up the most accurate depiction I have ever seen of what it is like to pair a young child with a cat....each party showing affection in a way that borders on abuse but comes from a good and loving place. The illustrations are fabulous, especially the attention paid to facial expressions, and the narrative spare. It begs to be read aloud and with enthusiasm. I am definately going to buy a copy of this book.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joan Nodset's 1973 story about a little girl who tries to befriend a stray cat is introduced to a new generation via Steven Kellogg's yellow- and orange-soaked illustrations. The round-eyed characters, textured backgrounds, and large format will entice beginning readers, who will delight in being able to handle the rudimentary text on their own. This should become a popular title in elementary libraries.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our toddler/preschooler loves this book. He can relate to it!

[Dulce German]

This book is about a little girl that wants to hug and be around her cat, but the cat keeps running away. The little girl thinks that she might have hurt or scared the cat so she sits there quietly till the cat comes up to her. The two characters in the book are the little girl and the cat, the girl has a lot of emotions and the cat is just doing what a cat always does run away. The text is easy for younger students to understand, as the illustration seems to be made out of oil pastels and the use of different yellows, orange, and brown tones. I like how the book is structured and how it shows different emotions. I think this book would be a good example for younger students to understand that sometimes other people don’t want to be bothered and that not everyone needs to like them.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come Back, Cat by Joan L. Nodset, Illustrator -Steven Kellogg-Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of a kid girl and her effort for friendship with a stray cat. The kid girl resides in an apartment. Kid girl wishes to pat the cat, she wishes to carry her in her arms, but the cat runs away. The kid girl chases the cat in the large apartment. Kid girl is unaware about which of her actions scare the cat. She wishes to hug the cat and remain near her. She wishes to carry the cat in her arms like a baby. Kid girl learns that quiet stillness is the only way to love her cat. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I constantly have to play “Come Back Cat.”

I have a cat colony for the city. Some cats are snots. Others are constantly underfoot.

Sometimes you have to coax the little critters to come to you.
Then what do you do with them?

This book was shrilly written and illustrated by people that now cats. It is also a good training book for Kinder.

This is a new edition of an earlier version. Written by Joan L. N∅set and illustrated by Steven Kellogg.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The little girl just wants to love the cat. You know, petting, pulling it's tail carrying it like a baby. And the cat just isn't quite into that. The picture are hilarious...the poor kitty with big eyes thinking "What in the heck is going on." This is a very short, enjoyable picture book, but be sure to take time to focus on the pictures.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, but effective story showing the best way to befriend a cat. Kellogg kept the illustrations fairly simple, and not as detailed as in other of his books.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute

[Megan MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book! Children love to chase and cuddle with their animals just like the little girl in this story did! The pictures add to the excitement and the book and there is just enough writing on each page to keep the reader engaged. I was turning the pages so quick to see what would happen next, imagining that a young child would be doing the same! This book could also be related to and could be used to ask questions regarding sequence and cause and effect. A fun book to read from and learn from.

[Addison Children's Services · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathan (20 months) and I have read this one over and over now. It is a simple story of a young girl who learns that quiet stillness is the best way to make friends with a cat. The illustrations by Steven Kellogg are charming. Nathan is now petting the cat in the pictures. I can't say this has helped any in his relationship with my cats, however. Good Reads link
Check it out.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is wonderful--the leaves are just right, and will make this especially nice for fall. Better still, they perfectly compliment the text--you can see the emotion both in the little girl and the cat. Both characters are well drawn--not just in terms of art, but in their emotions and reactions. A truly winning tale and a nice change from all those doggie books!

[Miss Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this one for a couple of reasons: the number of / k / sounds and for putting into words how the cat might be feeling based on the way the child handles or treats him. And I like the illustrations too!

Position of word:
Initial - 33 times; Medial - 7 times and Final - 5 times

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will always hold a special place in my heart because it's the first time I saw my little guy point with his finger and do one-to-one correspondence to read the title Come Back, Cat. He giggled throughout this book. It's a great book to discuss feelings. I highly recommend it.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reillustrated in full color with mixed media (love the leaves) this timeless tale of a cat and young girl.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of Steven Kellogg.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An older book, reissued with new illustrations, this book serves as a reminder to children to treat pets gently.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story includes adorable illustrations and a sweet story. It is useful for teaching children how to treat animals gently.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the part where the cat got to come back two times. And I liked when she pet the cat. The cat looks like Darwin, my kitty.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl learns how to pet and hold a cat.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made me chuckle, rather relatable!

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

"cats, being gentle"

[Joy Cronje · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter found it easy to read, funny, and entertaining. 4 stars is her rating.