Atticus Caticus

by Sarah Maizes, Kara Kramer (Illustrator)

Follow a young boy’s furry friend through the course of a day in an infectiously rhythmic read-aloud for cool cats of any species.

Atticus Caticus,
ears like a bat-tat-ticus!

Snap your fingers to the beat as a boy introduces us to his beloved (and oh-so-recognizably feline) cat. Whether Atticus is lying in the sun or stealing a sip from a water glass, sharpening his nails on a favorite chair or settling in for the night on his boy’s head, this cat will win your heart—and maybe inspire you to improvise a few riffs of poetry about your own animal friends.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 4, 2021

About the author

Sarah Maizes is a published author, freelance writer, comedian, and founder of MommyLITEonline.com, a parenting humor website.

She is a regular contributor to TODAYMoms.com, HuffingtonPost.com, and CBS/LosAngeles.com’s “Best of LA.” and her work has been featured in Los Angeles Magazine, on Today.com, MSNBC.com, DailyCandyKids.com and , and Eonline.com's "Fashion Police."

She has also written for More.com, DivineCaroline.com, JDate.com, HybridMom.com, ParentsConnect.com, Momtourage.com, TheWellMom.com and Autisable.com – a website for parents dealing with Autism.

Sarah has appeared on The Today Show, KTLA, CNN Headline News with Brad Pomerance, NPR's "What Would Rob Do?,"ABC News Now’s “Moms Get Real with Ju Ju Chang,” and is a regular contributor to NPR’s “Tell Me More with Michel Martin.”

Sarah lives in Los Angeles with her 12 year old daughter and 9 year old boy/girl twins and two ridiculously fat guinea pigs.

Reviews

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly captures the chaos of cats. A great book to read out loud!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rollicking, rhythmic fun about feline's quirky ways, perfect for reading aloud.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun rhyme scheme and cute story, though I wasn't wild about all the illustrations. I think this is best enjoyed by those who already love cats -- any youngsters who are a bit nervous around cats probably won't like the illustration of the cat yawning with a hugely exaggerated mouth and big teeth.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A day in the life of Atticus Caticus. The repetition lends itself to being a read-aloud with audience participation.

[Jessica Gottlieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best modern rhyming book for kids.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just wish the rhymes were more consistent. 😭 Maybe it was meant to be read aloud.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun silly rhyming book about a kid's cat. M approved.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A catchy cat-rhyming tale that is a great readalong story. Illustrations are reminders of childhood drawing that mom loved to put on the refrigerator. Very enjoyable.!

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darling little rhythm of things that rhyme with "cat" given an "atticus" at the end to rhyme with the cat's name. Very cute in how it captures cat mannerisms (sunbathing, bed-kneading, box sitting). The illustration of the cat squishing the box made me laugh out loud.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and oh-so rhythmic. Featuring a saucy cat and his adoring young human. Try this one with rhythm sticks?

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps I'm a little bit biased in my enthusiasm, but this picture book combines two of my loves--cats and poetry. The lively digital illustrations pay tribute in rhyming lines to the narrator's beloved as well as mischievous cat, Atticus. Each page made me smile, and when I shared the book aloud with my two cats, Mazoo and Shadow, they perked up from their naps, and listened. I expect that they will arise eventually and play out the rest of the adventures of Atticus a little later on. Reading aloud the text with all those rhyming words was great fun, even while also presenting a bit of a tongue-twisting challenge so any parent, teacher or caregiver should certainly practice ahead of time and not try to get by with a cold reading. It's clear that Atticus is a very energetic cat, jumping onto boxes and flattening them, gulping down his food and washing it down with a stolen sip of water so that he now has a "tummy so fat-ticus!" (unpaged), launching a stealth attack on his boy, and even sleeping on his head. But it's clear that this cat is well loved and appreciated as should be the case for all kitties. Since the narrator provides many invented words rhyming with the name of his beloved feline friend, the book might serve as inspiration for some young future poets to pen their own homages to their animal companions. I just hope that those names are as much fun to say as Atticus. It's been quite some time since I've had so much fun reading a book aloud. Those trying to encourage a love for words and reading will want to add this book to their home or classroom collection.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

For The Love of a Pet!

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: http://bookreadingtic.com/2021/07/06/... THANK YOU!

Atticus Caticus and his boy have a good time doing all things cat. After Atticus is awakened, he stretches his back like a Halloween cat while opening his little mouth to yawn bigger than seems possible. When the food box is shaken, he runs through the house like a pony, with his ears like a bat.

Latter, he and his boy both have fun with string while getting it everywhere. Atticus even shows him how much he would like to be with bird outside the window. All in all, the two have a great time together wearing each other out. The day ends with Atticus “kneading dough” before the two of them drift off to sleep.

Over-sized and hard-backed, this book shows the fun, love, and great addition a pet is to anyone’s—especially a child’s—life. Illustrations of the child and his cat will charm you and young ones, and fill you with lots of warm fuzzies. This book’s purpose is to bring smiles and laughter, which it does purr-fectly. The rhyming words will roll off the tongue causing lots of giggles. I highly recommend this 5-star tale to youngsters through pre-school.

Candlewick Publishers has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Atticus Caticus, for the purpose of review.

[Eve Costarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atticus Caticus is spectaculous! Such a joyful book where the rockin’ rollin’ rhyme-flow is peppered with onomatopoeia and is paired purrfectly with the adorable protagonist who romps, rolls and prowls through every page. The illustrations are fun and vibrant, and come alive with bright splashes of color and child-like scribbles. I just adore the facial expressions of Atticus who is truly an amazing Cat(icus)! Anyone who has ever watched a cat stretch, yawn and do the things that cat’s just do, will get it. Atticus is so likeable. This book is fun and full of new words and cat-chy phrases that will have everyone wanting to rush out and find their own Atticus! Atticus is the sweetest pussy-caticus sure to endear all hepcats!

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cat named Atticus stretches and yawns and naps in the sunshine. His owner feeds him, and dangles string for him to play with. Atticus sees a bird out the window, but can't get to it. At bath time, Atticus does his own style of washing by licking his fur.

The best part of this book is the silly rhyming with any word that rhymes with "cat". Atticus "jumps splat-a-tat-taticus", and he has a "tummy so fat-ticus". It's so funny to read out loud!

I like the cute crayon-style illustrations! Every page has energy and humor in the artwork.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atticus Caticus features a day in the life of a quirky cat and her little human. Yes, Atticus can be a tad annoying, it's just how some cats can be, but, above all else it is his quirks that make him the cool fun unique cat that is hard not to love.

The rhyme, fun verse is a delight but, may take some time getting used to. The illustrations were fun, (I can't call them adorable) but, the expressions on Atticus are just priceless. I think most little ones who love cats will pick this one as a favorite.

https://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot....

[Adam Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was a kid I went to a babysitter that had a dozen cats. When I developed an allergy to cats it may or may not have been connected to the over-exposure to the animals. Needless to say, I am not a big fan of cats. To me, they are animals that seemed to have tricked humans into thinking that they are pets when it is the cat that is merely putting up with humans by allowing them to feed cats and provide a few places to sleep. This book shows a day in the life of Atticus as he stretches, eats, naps, scratches, bathes, falls asleep on a little boy's head. The silly rhyme scheme seems like the way that you would talk to a pet when nobody else is around. (Atticus Caticus, tummy so fat-ticus)

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

f you have a cat or cats and if you've watched them as I know cat lovers do, you will adore the antics of Atticus Caticus, this special cat Sarah Maizes has written about with Kara Kramer's terrific illustrations. He jumps for a box and "SPLAT a-tat-taticus!" His treats are in high favor so "Atticus Caticus SNACK attack-atticus". I imagine you're getting the picture of this cat, doing much of what all cats do, but with hilarious scenes, Atticus-Caticus makes us laugh and begs to be read aloud!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!

[Kalynne]

Date: 05.09.25
Attendees: 77
Theme: Cats

Introduction and announcements: Shake my Sillies Out by Raffi

Book one: Atticus Caticus by Sarah Maizes

Song/rhyme/game one: Great Big Cat

Book two: You Are NOT a Cat! By Sharon G. Flake

Song/rhyme/game two: Action Song by The Singing Walrus

Book three: Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Song/ rhyme/ game three: There’s a Dog in School

Announcements: Stuffie Sleepover

Activity: https://i2.wp.com/abcsofliteracy.com/...

[Olga Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, my tongue was a bit twisted! But once I got past that barrier, I loved it. My 5 year old who absolutely loves cats, enjoyed this book very much. I am noticing that some other readers criticized the art in this book. It is unusual, but I think that is what made it special. Not all illustrations have to be life-like! C'mon! "Yawns with his whole head" was SO funny - and it should be! Because cats look really funny when they yawn!

[Kinnley Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atticus Caticus is a very fun book that uses rhyming and tongue twisters to tell the story of a very mischievous cat. I read this book with my 7-year-old learner and she loved it. rhyming and repetition is often used when teaching kids how to read because it helps learners memorize annunciation, pronunciation, and is just fun! Atticus is a very loving kitty but can't help making a mess out of things.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atticus Caticus is a delightful romp of a story told my Atticus's child human and the day they share in very catchy rhymes and verses worthy of a song. Even the most charming of cats can't seem to resist sneaking snacks and scratching on chairs-- Atticus Caticus is no exception! Anyone who's ever lived with a cat will be able to relate to this adorable day in the life of cat and kid.

[Vera Godley · Rating 3 out of 5]

They rhythmic, snappy cadence of this cute book with its plethora of "at" rhymes is enjoyable to read. It is a story of a cat and a boy going about their day.

A fun read but parents may get their tongues twisted around all the rat-a-tat-rat and atti-cati-at sounds. Have fun!

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A playful rhyming book about a cat named Atticus. The author changes words to rhyme with Atticus like rat-icus, or bat-icus. My kids didn't get the hang of that conceit and I had to explain the words to them every time. I liked the tempo and would have enjoyed reading this more when they were too young to ask questions. Your mileage may vary.

[Allison Turkish]

I think this book is adorable! The rhymes are on topic and funny. The cat grooms himself while the kid is in the bath, stretches flat (flat-a-tat-tat-ticus), eats a lot and gets a tummy that is fat-ticus. The boy wants a snack but doesn't get up because Atticus is on his lap. Totally realistic.

The illustrations are not my favorite. They brought the book down from 5 to 4 stars.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read it to our 7-year old daughter and she thought there were some fun parts of the book--like the fun rhyming segments--but she also thought it was a little weird. I would have to concur. I also liked the rhyming and illustrations but it wasn't my favorite.

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super fun book. The story is fun to read. It moves fast and has a good rhythm to it. The illustrations are chaotic and have a lot of motion to them too. Kids can really get into this. It will be a really fun story time book for them. 4 stars!

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kramer’s digital illustrations are playful and bold. Atticus the cat dances across the pages. I love the large typeset Garden Essential, compliments the text perfectly. Fun book to read for storytime, bright colors and funny sound words. Atticus’s pink nose is very hard to forget!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable rhyming book about a day in the life of a cat as told by the young, observant owner! There is a lot of fun, nonsensical word usage that rhymes with Atticus. I confess I do this with my own cat, Jake - I use lots of rhyming and made up words when we talk.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feline fanciers will enjoy this rhyming tale about a day in the life of a cat and his boy. Adorable illustrations depict all the antics that make cats so fancy-able. The unusual rhyme scheme renders this story either annoying or endearing as a read-aloud.

[Josh Campeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great cat-lover's story. The author has definitely had many cats. It has a nice refrain and fun rhythm. Would be a great story time read for ages 4-7. Could work for a younger audience if you cut out some pages.