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Rectangle Time
Perfect for story time,
New York Times Book Review
editor Pamela Paul's funny and charming story about books, pets, and reading together will enchant readers of all ages.
This spunky, self-assured cat has always loved Rectangle Time--when the boy and the man he lives with curl up with their rectangle and read aloud from it. The cat knows how helpful he is during Rectangle Time, of course--his presence is vital to the very ritual! But when the rectangle starts to get smaller, the stories start to get quieter, and worst of all, the boy no longer needs the cat's help, the cat must find a way to reclaim his part in Rectangle Time, even if slightly different from before.
In this fun, funny, and ultimately sweet story about growing up, embracing change, and the ways we all can misread social cues, we see the power of stories to bring everyone together--there's always room for everyone at story time.
Praise for Rectangle Time
The story subtly celebrates the pleasures of being read to and of growing toward reading independence. . . . A good option to hand educators needing to teach inference and for lovers of silly cats. -- SLJ
A sweet story about falling in love with reading. -- Kirkus
Comforting . . . clever. -- Publishers Weekly
This readaloud is sure to become a read-along as the listener's own literacy and vocabulary skills increase. -- BCCB
Truly delightful . . . kids will giggle over the familiar feline antics. -- Booklist
This spunky, self-assured cat has always loved Rectangle Time--when the boy and the man he lives with curl up with their rectangle and read aloud from it. The cat knows how helpful he is during Rectangle Time, of course--his presence is vital to the very ritual! But when the rectangle starts to get smaller, the stories start to get quieter, and worst of all, the boy no longer needs the cat's help, the cat must find a way to reclaim his part in Rectangle Time, even if slightly different from before.
In this fun, funny, and ultimately sweet story about growing up, embracing change, and the ways we all can misread social cues, we see the power of stories to bring everyone together--there's always room for everyone at story time.
Praise for Rectangle Time
The story subtly celebrates the pleasures of being read to and of growing toward reading independence. . . . A good option to hand educators needing to teach inference and for lovers of silly cats. -- SLJ
A sweet story about falling in love with reading. -- Kirkus
Comforting . . . clever. -- Publishers Weekly
This readaloud is sure to become a read-along as the listener's own literacy and vocabulary skills increase. -- BCCB
Truly delightful . . . kids will giggle over the familiar feline antics. -- Booklist
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 16, 2021
163 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Paul
16 books447 followersPamela Paul is the editor of The New York Times Book Review and oversees books coverage at The Times. She also hosts the weekly Book Review podcast. She is the author of six books, How to Raise a Reader, co-authored with Maria Russo, My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues, By the Book, Parenting, Inc., Pornified, and The Starter Marriage and the Future of Matrimony. Prior to joining the Times, Paul was a contributor to Time magazine and The Economist, and her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Vogue. Her next book, Rectangle Time, comes out in February. She and her family live in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 3, 2021
I don’t usually add picture books to my Goodreads because I don’t have a kid myself, but sometimes a good one comes across my desk as a children’s librarian and I have to tell not only the patrons but also everyone I know.
Rectangle Time is such a good book about how a cat handles its kid growing up based around the time they spend looking at the rectangle together.
Rectangle Time is such a good book about how a cat handles its kid growing up based around the time they spend looking at the rectangle together.
March 6, 2021
Told from a cat's point of view, this is THE book to explain everything about cat behavior around readers reading. Definitely Pamela Paul knows cats well and has had plenty of first hand experience. Don't miss the photo album on the endpages including one of the family reading the New York Times Book Review -- where Paul is the editor! A delightful book about books and cats!
March 10, 2021
Oh I loved this book! The choice of using a cat for the narrator, the way the cat describes reading as "Rectangle Time," and watching the boy fall in love with reading. Such an endearing, funny story. I will be purchasing for our school library and sharing with students soon!
March 16, 2021
Recommended for anyone who likes cats. Or reading. Or both.
April 23, 2021
If I could I would give it 10 stars! This book incorporates all things I find important... Cats, books, reading, kids, and reading books to kids!!!!
Written from the perspective of the family cat, we watch as the child grows up and his reading preferences and how the car interprets. It is darling!!!!!
Written from the perspective of the family cat, we watch as the child grows up and his reading preferences and how the car interprets. It is darling!!!!!
February 25, 2021
Such a fun book! I can see myself reading this with my niece and nephew.
Being able to spot well known titles was a bonus.
My mother always said, "All good books involve a cat!" and I can 100% agree this time.
Being able to spot well known titles was a bonus.
My mother always said, "All good books involve a cat!" and I can 100% agree this time.
March 15, 2021
A funny story about a cat who is constantly trying to disrupt his owners' reading time. I love the detail about the cat scratching his face on the corner of the book--very accurate! Will appeal to cat lovers, especially those who are also bibliophiles.
April 17, 2021
I would just like to point out that my cat kept trying to get in my lap and look over my should while I was reading this adorable picture book. I'll definitely be adding it to my collection. 😻
May 14, 2021
Now isn't this fun!
It's Rectangle Time!
It's one of the happiest times of the day, when a boy and his dad pull out a book and the dad reads to the boy, and our cat narrator for this book loves to sit with the two and snuggle.
Time passes, and the boy and dad read together, but the cat still loves the time.
How can the cat find a way to fit in as the boy grows still older and reads the book on his own?
Such fun to see things through cat eyes.
It's Rectangle Time!
It's one of the happiest times of the day, when a boy and his dad pull out a book and the dad reads to the boy, and our cat narrator for this book loves to sit with the two and snuggle.
Time passes, and the boy and dad read together, but the cat still loves the time.
How can the cat find a way to fit in as the boy grows still older and reads the book on his own?
Such fun to see things through cat eyes.
May 28, 2022
So cute!! I love how the story of reading - the roles and forms books take on throughout our lives and how our interactions with these rectangles change over time - is adorably perceived by this spunky cat.
February 24, 2021
A cute book about 2 of my favorite things, cats and reading!
June 12, 2022
Loved this one! The cat narrator called books rectangles. So cute.
August 17, 2021
A cat enjoys rectangle time when the father reads to his son, but it changes to them reading together and then the boy is reading on his own. Can the cat figure out how to still participate.
March 12, 2021
This picture book unfolds from the family’s calico cat’s perspective. Through humor and heartwarming moments, the cat and boy grow from lap reading to independent reading—the calico certainly has its opinions about which type it prefers. “Watch carefully: See how the man and the boy hold the rectangle together? That means they each have one hand free for me.”
As a parent, I appreciate the well-depicted bittersweet moments of a child’s independence as well as the clever commentary from the cat. “Look at the poor little guy. He’s just . . . staring at the rectangle,” the cat thinks when the boy picks up a book on his own. As any cat owner knows, it’s all about the cat; this comes through strongly in the calico’s continued need to be the center of attention.
Becky Cameron’s art will make you laugh as she captures feline moods from furry contentment to perplexed then miffed. The secret second cover (look under the book jacket) echoes the satisfying ending.
As a parent, I appreciate the well-depicted bittersweet moments of a child’s independence as well as the clever commentary from the cat. “Look at the poor little guy. He’s just . . . staring at the rectangle,” the cat thinks when the boy picks up a book on his own. As any cat owner knows, it’s all about the cat; this comes through strongly in the calico’s continued need to be the center of attention.
Becky Cameron’s art will make you laugh as she captures feline moods from furry contentment to perplexed then miffed. The secret second cover (look under the book jacket) echoes the satisfying ending.
April 20, 2021
"Boy, man, rectangle -- and me. All the necessary pieces are in place."
A cat insinuates itself into the middle of a boy and his father reading stories. And as time progresses, the cat notices changes in the rectangle time routine. First Man is doing all the talking, then Man and Boy take turns, then the boy is by himself. "Look at the poor little guy. He's just ... staring at the rectangle." And soon, there is no lap for the cat to sit on and the boy seems distracted and not willing to pet the cat. "Sweet, fluffy, and very-much-cuddly object, at your service."
A fun way to talk about perspective with students.
A cat insinuates itself into the middle of a boy and his father reading stories. And as time progresses, the cat notices changes in the rectangle time routine. First Man is doing all the talking, then Man and Boy take turns, then the boy is by himself. "Look at the poor little guy. He's just ... staring at the rectangle." And soon, there is no lap for the cat to sit on and the boy seems distracted and not willing to pet the cat. "Sweet, fluffy, and very-much-cuddly object, at your service."
A fun way to talk about perspective with students.
January 16, 2022
Here is a growing up story that captures not only the cat fancier but also the parent of a child who likes to read while exploring the concept of growing up but from a different viewpoint.
The writing wasn't the best for a book and it felt like the author couldn't quite get into the head of the cat. As such the story could be a bit on the dull side while mainly it didn't sound exactly like a cat was the one narrating the tale. And why must it be okay for the child to be so rough, almost abusive to the cat for just trying to get a bit more love from its owner.
The illustrations were a bit on the ambiguous side though with it seeming that the illustrator was looking for points. Just flipping through you couldn't quite tell that the child was boy or girl while the overalls with a rainbow plus some girly toys had me thinking for a while that the child was a girl. But then again the reader meets the same problem with the cat since even though most calicos are females, this particular puss seems to be a boy cat.
But what I did love about the book, though, are the bookshelves included in the illustrations. There were plenty of them with readable titles and some classics could be seen on the shelf. And the books did change in the following pages so it was fun to see what the child would end up with on the next page.
Besides the ambiguous illustrations and the somewhat bland story it will make for a good read for those who need a not-so-deep bedtime story.
The writing wasn't the best for a book and it felt like the author couldn't quite get into the head of the cat. As such the story could be a bit on the dull side while mainly it didn't sound exactly like a cat was the one narrating the tale. And why must it be okay for the child to be so rough, almost abusive to the cat for just trying to get a bit more love from its owner.
The illustrations were a bit on the ambiguous side though with it seeming that the illustrator was looking for points. Just flipping through you couldn't quite tell that the child was boy or girl while the overalls with a rainbow plus some girly toys had me thinking for a while that the child was a girl. But then again the reader meets the same problem with the cat since even though most calicos are females, this particular puss seems to be a boy cat.
But what I did love about the book, though, are the bookshelves included in the illustrations. There were plenty of them with readable titles and some classics could be seen on the shelf. And the books did change in the following pages so it was fun to see what the child would end up with on the next page.
Besides the ambiguous illustrations and the somewhat bland story it will make for a good read for those who need a not-so-deep bedtime story.
February 28, 2021
I barely finished this book, which feels like it's written much more for adults than for children. Told from the point of view of a friendly calico cat who always wants to get in on reading time ("rectangle time"), the gag quickly gets repetitive—if it bored me, as an adult, I can only imagine how a toddler would feel.
More seriously, though, it's frustrating to see a book written and illustrated by two White women that depicts a child with curly brown hair and the palest possible brown skin without any meaningful attempt to show this child as belonging to a culture other than White culture—a milquetoast nod to the need for more pictures featuring non-White characters that ultimately just feels self-serving. The illustrations in Rectangle Time show many books, and every single one of them but one (Noughts & Crosses) is a book by a White author. Most of them are also "classics" of White children's literature (Encyclopedia Brown, The Hobbit, Redwall, etc). Apparently the world that these two White authors envision for this imaginary Brown child is one in which he only owns and reads books by White people. (Full disclosure: there is one book the child is shown reading that I did not recognize. It depicts three people, two of whom have brown skin). The child's parent is also depicted as having pale brown skin, with straight brown hair.
Additionally, the two human characters in the book are repeatedly referred to as "man" and "boy" when they could just as easily have been referred to by their names or as "grown up" and "child." This is a cat talking, after all—why the clinging to these unnecessary, gendered words over and over again?
This was a dull, disappointing, and dated read.
More seriously, though, it's frustrating to see a book written and illustrated by two White women that depicts a child with curly brown hair and the palest possible brown skin without any meaningful attempt to show this child as belonging to a culture other than White culture—a milquetoast nod to the need for more pictures featuring non-White characters that ultimately just feels self-serving. The illustrations in Rectangle Time show many books, and every single one of them but one (Noughts & Crosses) is a book by a White author. Most of them are also "classics" of White children's literature (Encyclopedia Brown, The Hobbit, Redwall, etc). Apparently the world that these two White authors envision for this imaginary Brown child is one in which he only owns and reads books by White people. (Full disclosure: there is one book the child is shown reading that I did not recognize. It depicts three people, two of whom have brown skin). The child's parent is also depicted as having pale brown skin, with straight brown hair.
Additionally, the two human characters in the book are repeatedly referred to as "man" and "boy" when they could just as easily have been referred to by their names or as "grown up" and "child." This is a cat talking, after all—why the clinging to these unnecessary, gendered words over and over again?
This was a dull, disappointing, and dated read.
September 12, 2021
"Rectangle Time" is a picture book that stands out from other "books about books/reading" in a few different ways: First, the entire tale is told from the perspective of a pet cat who only identifies reading as a time during which a rectangle is "held." As the featured family members, including a young boy, change and grow, so do their reading habits...which, in turn, affect the cat. A unique take on what it means to "grow as a reader," complete with humorous commentary by the cat.
Publication Date: 2021
Elements: Personification, humor
Connection/Topics: Reading, growing up
Activity Idea: Prompt listeners/readers to share their "reading autobiographies" (What are your earliest memories with books? What are you able to do today that you were unable to do one year ago? 5 years ago? Do you have a pet with whom you like to "read?")
Publication Date: 2021
Elements: Personification, humor
Connection/Topics: Reading, growing up
Activity Idea: Prompt listeners/readers to share their "reading autobiographies" (What are your earliest memories with books? What are you able to do today that you were unable to do one year ago? 5 years ago? Do you have a pet with whom you like to "read?")
June 12, 2023
Three cheers for a picture book about a cat...
That is told from the point of view of the cat.
Refreshing, to not have a picture book author confuse young children! Confuse them with magical thinking. (By making it appear that animals think and feel just like humans, only their bodies happen to look a little different from ours.)
In this book a cat can be a cat! Witness gems like this one:
Other times I rub my signature scent on the rectangle's [i.e., the storybook's] edges.
This is a form of generosity on my part.
In addition I very much like how readers can safely preview how picture book readers can grow into fluent readers, standup people with full word literacy. Yes, this is so important to know.
FIVE STARS to author Pamela Paul and artist Becky Cameron. And thank you.
That is told from the point of view of the cat.
Refreshing, to not have a picture book author confuse young children! Confuse them with magical thinking. (By making it appear that animals think and feel just like humans, only their bodies happen to look a little different from ours.)
In this book a cat can be a cat! Witness gems like this one:
Other times I rub my signature scent on the rectangle's [i.e., the storybook's] edges.
This is a form of generosity on my part.
In addition I very much like how readers can safely preview how picture book readers can grow into fluent readers, standup people with full word literacy. Yes, this is so important to know.
FIVE STARS to author Pamela Paul and artist Becky Cameron. And thank you.
April 14, 2022
Cute idea, but the execution could use some work. It felt a bit long-winded/unnecessarily text-heavy.
I think that the first page of the book, not the title page, would have been a more appropriate time to have images of the book (not blurry book spines and an angled cover in the background) that clearly establish that the books are the “rectangles” being discussed by the cat. It also may not be immediately clear that a “fluffy, non-rectangular shape” is the cat. Honestly, I didn’t even detect right away on the first page that the cat is the narrator.
However, I LOVED that we get to visually see a child growing as a reader, and modeling how that starts with families reading together 👏🏼
I think that the first page of the book, not the title page, would have been a more appropriate time to have images of the book (not blurry book spines and an angled cover in the background) that clearly establish that the books are the “rectangles” being discussed by the cat. It also may not be immediately clear that a “fluffy, non-rectangular shape” is the cat. Honestly, I didn’t even detect right away on the first page that the cat is the narrator.
However, I LOVED that we get to visually see a child growing as a reader, and modeling how that starts with families reading together 👏🏼
July 17, 2021
My niece is about to start kindergarten, and she has one last birthday before she learns to read. Once the kiddos make that transition, I start buying them early readers. I wasn’t going to miss one more picture book purchase before we make that transition.
And oh, what a perfect book for the occasion! Rectangle Time traces a child’s journey from reading with a parent to reading solo, and it’s told through a cat’s eyes. Even as rectangle time changes, the cat finds ways to remain part of the fun.
I can’t wait for my niece to curl up with this sweet book and her cat.
And oh, what a perfect book for the occasion! Rectangle Time traces a child’s journey from reading with a parent to reading solo, and it’s told through a cat’s eyes. Even as rectangle time changes, the cat finds ways to remain part of the fun.
I can’t wait for my niece to curl up with this sweet book and her cat.
November 8, 2021
Well this book was wonderful. A wonderfully accurate depiction of cat attitudes, absolutely perfect for anyone of any age who loves both cats and books.
The cat in the story just knows that he is essential to "rectangle time" when his humans are reading books. But rectangle time goes through a lot of changes as the boy grows, and the cat isn't always ready to adapt to these changes!
This was just a joy.
The cat's behavior and attitude was so spot-on, even the butt-presenting illustration on the back cover haha.
The cat in the story just knows that he is essential to "rectangle time" when his humans are reading books. But rectangle time goes through a lot of changes as the boy grows, and the cat isn't always ready to adapt to these changes!
This was just a joy.
The cat's behavior and attitude was so spot-on, even the butt-presenting illustration on the back cover haha.
November 15, 2021
Super cute!! This cat just wants attention and the humans in its life just want time with their rectangles. Reminds me of I Hate My Cats (A Love Story) or Cat Problems in the affectionate poking-fun of cats. A good book for cat families, but a fun read regardless.
April 20, 2021
Rectangle time is when father & son read together. Told from the cat's perspective the rectangle is the book. At every turn we hear how the cat enjoys being petted during rectangle time, or uses the book's corner to scratch an itch. As the boy grows, the reading behavior changes and the cat wonders why he is reading alone or seemingly staring at the rectangle. Adorable in every way, especially if you are a reader, cat owner or both!
January 22, 2022
Ah, to watch the little boy grow up reading books...I mean rectangles. We see familiar titles on the book shelf (see if you can spot them in the illustrations). We go from being read to (with "The Snowy Day") to bigger reads (Encyclopedia Brown) to even bigger ("The Hobbit"). I know I will see this evolution with Audrey someday and already it feels bittersweet.
But for those who have a cat (I do not). I think they can relate to the escapades of reading while owning a cat. ;)
But for those who have a cat (I do not). I think they can relate to the escapades of reading while owning a cat. ;)
January 31, 2022
What a fun story! Told from the cat's point of view, the cat loves joining in at reading time, when the dad reads to the boy, and when the boy starts reading on his own. But, the cat can't understand why the young boy doesn't want the cat lying across his eyes, when he is trying to read! Quite funny, and the kind of cat every cat lover loves! Appealing illustrations depict a white, orange and black kitty.
2022 CLEL Bell short list for "Read"
2022 CLEL Bell short list for "Read"
September 2, 2024
A cat enjoys 'rectangle time' otherwise known as reading/story time that occurs between a father and son. The cat enjoys being part of the special time they share. Slowly, the boy learns to read and the rectangles become smaller and 'rectangle time' becomes quieter. As things change, Cat must adapt to the way he is part of rectangle time.
A story about growing up and the inevitable changes that come with it. A nice story to share during your rectangle time with your kiddos :)
A story about growing up and the inevitable changes that come with it. A nice story to share during your rectangle time with your kiddos :)
March 4, 2021
As a cat lover, I was excited about the premise of this book. The cat looks at a boy and his father reading books and calls it “rectangle time.” However, there were way way too many words and I found myself skipping a good bit when reading it aloud to my four year old. Promptly put in the library return bin.
June 26, 2021
Perfect book for readers with pets to enjoy. Told from the cat's perspective as it gets excited to join rectangle time every evening. Readers see the father and son reading together from the "rectangle." They then see the boy grow up and look at the rectangles on his own. The cat finds new ways to still be part of this time.
Humorous look at pets and reading.
Humorous look at pets and reading.
March 13, 2022
OH MY GOSH!! Anyone who has a cat will smile from beginning to end as they read this book because it happens to us all and we love it! Even as I was reading the book the experience was happening to me! Love, love, love, love this book! (As well as my fluffy friends who are critical for a proper rectangle time!)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews