The Cat on the Mat Is Flat

by Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton

This is a collection of utterly nonsensical, totally irreverent rhymes for children of all ages.

Genres: Humor, Poetry, Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books, Chapter Books, Comedy

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2007

About the author

Andy Griffiths is Australia’s most popular children’s writer. He is the author of over 20 books, including nonsense verse, short stories, comic novels and plays. Over the past 15 years Andy’s books have been New York Times bestsellers, won over 50 children’s choice awards, been adapted as a television cartoon series and sold over 5 million copies worldwide.

Andy is best known as the author of the much-loved Just! series and The Day My Bum Went Psycho. In 2008 Andy became the first Australian author to win six children’s choice awards in one year for Just Shocking!, smashing his previous record of 4 awards for The Bad Book in 2005.

In 2008 Andy and his wife Jill collaborated with The Bell Shakespeare Company on the popular and critically acclaimed theatrical production Just Macbeth! which was nominated for two Helpmann Awards. In July 2010 Just Macbeth!completed a return sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it received rave reviews. The book of the play was shortlisted in the children’s section of the 2010 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

Andy has had a long-standing collaboration with the multi-talented illustrator Terry Denton. Together they have produced theJust! series, the wildly popular The Bad Book and The Very Bad Book, the ridiculous illustrated guide What Bumosaur is That?, and the Seussian-inspired early readers The Cat on the Mat is Flat and The Big Fat Cow that Goes Kapow! Their latest book is The 13-Storey Treehouse (September 2011).

http://us.macmillan.com/author/andygr...

Reviews

[Adriana Scarpin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Primeiro livro de Andy Griffiths que leio, é uma espécie de Dr. Seuss australiano, a mesma pegada de poemas infantis divertidos, mas não tão extensos quanto as estórias do americano, aqui por exemplo tem diversas estórias diferentes e o poema título nem é tão extenso.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic book for early readers who want to feel like they're reading a big chapter book. controlled vocabulary (all rhyming, short words - would support a phonics approach very well) but humor that kids will love

[Tien · Rating 4 out of 5]

creative
fun
and
funny

I'm obviously not in any way a poet but you & your kids will enjoy & just admire their creativity in rhyming :)

[Hallie Bourke · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very easy to read but is was funny at the same time.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very efficient storytelling. And hilarious. I especially loved Pinky Ponky: the shonky, wonky, bonky donkey.

[Rocky Balboa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabella's review #4 of 1000: I like the book because it was funny. My favorite one was
"Pinky Ponky,
The Shonky.
Wonky,
Bonky
Donkey"

because her legs are wonky, her brain is bonky, her tail is shonky and because she is a donkey. I like donkeys becuase they have stuff that you can pull and you can sit on them and ride them like horses. I know someone that sat on a donkey: Carmen from church.

In one of the stories someone says yee-haw to a pig.

100 stars.

love, Isabealla.
to the reader.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a PERFECT find for my 1st grader. It is a book of silly rhymes with silly sketches. It starts out fairly easy to read and then gets a bit more difficult. It really helped with his speed and fluency, and it made both of us laugh out loud. The book is quite thick (166 pages) and he feels proud reading such a big book, even though it is fairly easy to get through. And I know that he will want to read it over again and again. It is my favorite book for this age group. LOVE IT!!!

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is, in my mind, in a category all it's own. The author writes for the niche audience of early elementary schoolers who might be struggling with reading. Because it's in chapter book format, children need not be embarrassed for reading below their level. Can easily be disguised as a Captain Underpants read-alike with the playful doodle-esque illustrations.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Shel Silverstein meets Dr. Seuss... sort of. This children's book is as much fun to read out loud as it is to hear it read. Because of the cover, which is a little dark, my five-year-old daughter wasn't originally interested. But when it was my turn to choose the book I chose this one and before we were done with the first rhyming story, she was captivated. Highly recommended.

[Mckelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for learning readers. It has a lot of repetition of words and word endings to help the young guys, yet it is also a lot of fun. My kindergartner loves to be read to, but isn't yet crazy about reading himself. This is the only book thus far that he has actually wanted to read. I'm a fan!

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read to beginning readers or for transitional readers. The giggles multiple if you read it after The Fat Cat Sat on the Mat by Karlin. Hello, Parody! Glad to meetcha! Its this kind of silliness that keeps my boy interested.

[Jack Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice books andy you are my favourite writer yet!!!!!!!

I chose this rating I was like OMG LOL
Nice books Andy and terry so funny like that cat got crushed under a base ball bat

[Lorri · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son really enjoyed this at 5 years old. He enjoyed being able to read it and not feeling intimidated by the words. Also it made him laugh and we laughed together. Loved it!

[John Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW

Book: The Cat on the Mat Is Flat
Type: Standalone
Genre: Humour, Fiction
Themes: uncanny friendship, trust, funny encounters, etc.
Date Released: August 21, 2007
Author: Andy Griffiths
Illustrator: Terry Denton
My Rating: 3.0 ⭐⭐⭐

It's really fun to read this slimy, rhymey collection of 10 short stories. It's more fun if you read it aloud or if you want to experience the same vibe should you happened to read Dr. Seuss' quirky books.

I thought it would be a cat story alone based on its title but The Cat on the Mat is Flat is just the first story and the rest are 'rhymey' narratives of other animals getting along with human characters. Each page is complemented with comical and artsy illustrations which add up to the entertainment value of the whole book.

I may be old enough for this book but it still works for me. If I have to point out the common denominator of the 10 short stories, it would be the uncanny friendship formed between animals and men. Hats off to both the author and the illustrator! Great teamwork!

[Mark My Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, it seems a little childish reading this as part of my reading challenge, but have you ever felt like doing something just for the fun of it? This is a series of absurd short stories by Australian quirky author, Andy Griffiths, with some equally silly child-like illustrations, by Terry Denton. I really enjoyed the clever use of grammar, the plots were simple and straight forward but still had some interesting twists. Overall, an entertaining and delightful change from the type of book I would normally read. Thoroughly recommend reading something like this in the middle of all your serious choices! Enjoy; I did! Regards, (silly) Mark.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

High-appeal rhyming stories, but the true brilliance of this is that it is at the level of a beginning reader, yet cleverly disguised as a chapter book. Perfect for kids who are still learning to decode and want to feel and look like they are reading at a higher level. Ages 5-10.

[Flash · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book

[Martin Goranov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was a prety mych funny one!

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was read.
And then I went to bed.
It was good in my head.
The cat is dead.

No cats were harmed in the writing of this review.

[Penguin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun it's like tom and jerry

[Indy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow, this book contains more elaborated stories that rhythm.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun series of short rhyming stories.

[Jessie Bond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the constant rhyming in this book to be insufferable. I also found the art style unappealing. Kids would probably enjoy it, though, between the playing with language and the humor.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son could read this by himself, and loved it. It’s a collection of short stories written in rhyme, with illustrations; all fun and entertaining for a 6 year old.

[Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

NO no no no no no no no

[Katie]

read for Library Materials for Children course

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly book- might be fun for Dr. Seuss fans ready to start into easy chapter books. It has the heft of a chapter book, but text is sparse and lots of line drawings take up space. Novel in verse

[Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay but this is genuinely funny

5/5

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tricky read with funny illustrations.