Pretty Kitty

by Karen Beaumont, Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator)

A counting picture book in rhyme about a lonely old man whose heart is slowly melted by an ever-growing number of kitties hoping to find a home.

Old man, big city. Pretty kitty, pretty little itty bitty kitty cat.

In this charming counting book, a lonely old man discovers one kitty on his front step. But he does not want a kitty cat—scat! As the number of kitties grows, will the man find room in his heart—and home—for his new feline friends?

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 2018

About the author

Karen Beaumont is the New York Times bestselling author of many award-winning picture books. She lives in Scotts Valley, California.

Reviews

[Alexandra Calaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpectedly poignant ending which made me tear up but I'm a sap, so that's everything. Love this book.

[Megan Sanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!! I also love that the black cat with yellow eyes has the softest fur and loudest purr, just like Cheese.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would probably enjoy this book more if I enjoyed cats.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable kitties line up on a senior citizen's doorstep; he insists he doesn't want a "pretty kitty," but...
Great concept book to teach children numbers and rhymes. I love the illustration at the end where he's looking at pictures of himself and a kitty above his mantle; you sense that he lost a furever friend and is hesitant to love again. So poignant and sweet.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My whole family (kids 6&9) ADORED this book! So sweet, funny, and fun to read aloud. Scat!

[Tegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute counting book, that also deals with some topics that can be discussed with older children. The drawings are adorable and I would 100% take all 10 cats in!

[Cheryl Gladfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a lovely, quiet spread at the end that was just touching--especially for people who have had and loved pets.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute and funny story--a counting book with a darling rhyming text; and with adorable cartoon characters.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read aloud. It has repeating phrases so kids can help "read" along.

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable children's picture book featuring the discovery of how irresistible cats are, and the cute relationship between a human and cats.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't mind me.

I'm fine.

Really, I'm fine.


(Kitty #2 looks like my Marvin, who I adopted when he showed up on my front porch, and died two years ago.)

I'm not fine.

:(

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An older gentleman who lives in the city is a kitty magnet. Sweet message, and yes a little bit of math in rhyming text.

[Maureen Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughed-out-loud, and then the ending hits you in the feels.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darling illustrations, rhymes catchy enough to rival Dr. Seuss, and a surprisingly moving ending... I loved everything about this book! I only regret that the pictures are too small to use this at storytime. :(

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Counting book with a predictable but charming outcome.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I was pretty sure I knew how things would turn out in this picture book, I still found it adorable and appealing for many reasons. Not only was the story a clever way to assist readers in counting, first one, then two, and eventually ten, kitties, but it also features rhyming lines and phrases that are fun to say: "Pretty kitty. / Pretty little itty-bitty / kitty cat" (unpaged). When an elderly man sees a kitty or two on the street, he isn't interested in befriending them. Two follow him home, and despite his attempts to get them to leave, more and more kitties arrive. But never fear! The old man isn't completely heartless, and when snow falls and temperatures plummet, he yields to their pleading, taking in all ten. (Yes, with a smile to myself, I thought, "Yes, this is how hoarding starts.") The digital illustrations and lively text are a delight to share with others or even one of your own feline friends. Boy! Will these cats have a story to tell about how they ended up in their forever home in the big city.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Pretty Kitty, written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by Stephanie Laberis, a delightful counting book with unexpected heart.

An elderly man alone in the big city comes upon a tiny kitty. He acknowledges the adorable kitten’s charm, but he makes it clear that he is not looking to adopt a cat. But as the first adorable kitten follows him home, another comes to join… then another… then ANOTHER. And over the course of two days, his front stoop fills up with a mother cat and her nine fluffy, irresistible babies. The man gives reason after reason that he cannot possibly adopt even a single one of them, even as he puts out food and gives them scratches. But as the snow begins to fall over the city and the furry family is left out in the cold, the man begins to wonder if his reasons, no matter how personal they may be, can really overcome his affection for his new friends…

This was ADORABLE. Going beyond just a standard counting book, the story is a touching one, especially for cat lovers big and small. The rhyming text is bouncy and flows easily while still creating some wonderful comedic and dramatic moments. The reveal of the true reason that the man is reluctant to adopt another cat is subtle and may fly over the heads of smaller readers, but it will surely tug at the heartstrings of anyone who has loved and lost a pet. I’m so impressed with this one because it attempts to cohere so many elements – comedy, pathos, numbers education, etc – and manages to tie them all together in a beautiful, heartwarming story that teaches as it entertains. Perfect length, JJ went WILD for precious and warm illustrations, and just a fantastic read overall! Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Tayler K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rhyming, counting book follows an elderly man as he's beset by an ever-increasing number of stray cats which he tries to shoo away. "Don't you look at me like that; I do not want a kitty cat." However, a close look at the illustrations throughout the book gives hints that perhaps he doth protest too much--a gray cat keychain, a grocery list including cat food, cat toys in the house.

As it begins to snow the man stands alone in his house contemplating the cats outside--and looks up at the photos over the mantle of him as a younger man (red hair instead of gray) with a gray cat, the same toy mouse, and a pet bed with the name Rusty. (That scene hit rather close to home for me.)

He lets the cats in.

[Arminzerella · Rating 5 out of 5]

An elderly man finds himself the target of pretty kitty affection as kitties find their way, one by one, to his doorstep. He tries to scare them off, but finds himself buying cat food, and petting soft fur, and worrying about his feline friends as the weather worsens. Finally, the door flies open, ten kitties enter, no kitties leave, and an elderly man sleeps warm in his armchair, blanketed with cats. The rhyme-scheme works, and the repetition of "# of kitties on the mat, don't you look at me like that. I do not want a kitty cat. Scat!" will be taken up by those listening to this story. It turns into a really touching story of a man with a heart and a home big enough to take in all of those unwanted kitties. Cat lovers will purr.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

Such a unique idea for a counting book. So cute.

The story follows a grumpy old man who is hounded by some adorable kitties. I loved the illustrations. They are so adorable and the details in them were great. You can really see all of the subtle changes in the situation as the story progresses.

I also enjoyed that this was a rhyming book. The rhymes and repetition make is perfect for young children.

Great book, especially for young cat lovers. I really enjoyed this one. And that ending, right in the feels.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Kitty by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by Stephanie Laberts. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2018. $ 18. 9780805092325

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

When a kitty cat appears on his door step, an old man resists letting it in – and every subsequent cat that appears.

The predictive text, the call and repeat, and those dang adorable kittens all combine for a fun read aloud. Cat books are much harder to find than dog books, so it is a wise choice to buy another!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Counting 1 to 10

An old man dreadfully watches a litter of cats gradually appear, one by one, on his door step. As the story progresses, the old man's heart begins to open but always with a quick follow up of refusal to let the cats into his house. In the end, we see photos above the fireplace of the old man with a cat who appears to no longer be there. This is a great story for children to understand a person's backstory and their motivation behind grumpiness or anger.

A bouncy counting tale to read aloud with repetition and charm whose story goes beyond the typical counting birds in a tree.

[Widad Ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pretty Kitty" is a picture book written by Karen Beaumont. The book talks about a grumpy old man who finds himself surrounded by a growing number of adorable kittens. Initially, he is determined not to let them into his home, but as the number of kittens increases, so does their charm and persistence. At the end of the book, the old man's heart softens, and he welcomes the kittens into his home, leading to a heartwarming and joyful conclusion. I will recommend it to all early childhood education teachers because it teaches the students compassion, kindness, and the joy that animals can bring into their lives.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable counting book 1-10. Story told in rhyme about an old man who does NOT want a kitty. First one kitty shows up and follows him home taking up residence on his front mat. Then another and another. Although he continually tells them that he does NOT want a kitty and to SCAT, the illustrations show that he has a kitty key chain, cat food on his grocery list, and more. Eventually there are ten kitties on his mat and it begins to snow. Even though he definitely does NOT want a kitty, he reluctantly (or not) takes in all ten kitties to cuddle in front of a roaring fire.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute story with repetition. I love the clues given along the way - all the cat paraphernalia and then the sweet cat portraits toward the end that showed the old man’s previous love for a cat, as well as the newspaper with the “Storm Warning” headline and “Cat food” written on his grocery list while he was still debating what to do 💗 And I’m not so much a cat person, but I appreciated the opportunity this book took to try to do away with the idea that cats are only for old ladies - they’re for anyone who can do with a feline companion!

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A counting/rhyming story about a cranky old man who’s trying to rid himself of the stray cats that keep showing up on his doorstep. The refrain of “x kitties on the mat / please don’t look at me like that / I do not want a kitty cat / Scat!” recalls Green Eggs and Ham, which I don’t love, but Stephanie Laberis’s illustrations really won me over, and the reason for the old man’s reluctance to take in the strays, unspoken but told through Laberis’s brilliant images, will break your heart in the best way.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best possible Count-To-Ten books that exists, and there can't possibly be a better one. Sorry, other authors, but this race has already been smoked, fried, eaten, and cleaned up after.

An older gentleman doesn't WANT another cat after his passes away (except that he totally does want another cat as he's just in denial). He is convinced in the end by a bit of rain to adopt all 10. Best story 12/5 stars. Needed in every collection.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly charming picture book about a lonely old man and the stray cats who keep following him home. I am easily brought to tears by pet stories and this book was no exception. The wordless spread near the end in particular, which sheds some light on why this man is so against adopting one of these kitties, did cause a lump in my throat. An adorable and touching story perfect for cat lovers of any age- which is (bonus) also a counting book!

[Esutterlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute counting book set in a city where an old man is constantly finding stray kittens on his doorstep. He keeps telling them no, he doesn't want a cat. However, when the weather turns too cold for them to be outdoors, and the little cats plead with their big eyes to beg him to let them come in, he finally takes pity on them and brings them all inside to cuddle by the fire.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

People who adore cats will relate to this old man who gradually falls under the spell of the cute strays in his neighborhood. The illustrations are appealing and children will like the story. Underlying the simple cat tale, is a story of loneliness. The book could open up a discussion about the elderly in our communities and how we all should look after each other.