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Inside Cat
Told in rhyming text, Inside Cat views the world through many windows, watching the birds, squirrels, and people go by--but when the door opens it discovers a whole new view.
34 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2021
32 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Brendan Wenzel
17 books176 followersBrendan Wenzel is an author and illustrator based in upstate New York. His debut picture book, They All Saw a Cat, was a New York Times bestseller and the recipient of a 2017 Caldecott Honor. An ardent conservationist, he is a proud collaborator with many organizations working to ensure the future of wild places and threatened species.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
November 2, 2025
کتاب #کودک امروز یه داستان ریتمیک از یه گربه خونگیه که هیچوقت از خونه بیرون نرفته و دنیاش فقط از طریق یه عالمه پنجره با شکلها و اندازههای مختلف تعریف شده. گربه کوچولوی ما دور خونه میگرده، از هر پنجرهای به بیرون نگاه میکنه و تلاش میکنه این تکههای رنگی از بیرون رو به هم بچسبونه تا یه تصویر کامل از جهان بسازه.
🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐶🐶🐱🐱🙈🐱🐱🐱
این کتاب در واقع یه درس عمیق درباره دیدگاه محدود و درک به بچهها میده؛ و نشون میده که دیدن دنیا از طریق یه قاب محدود (مثل پنجره یا شبکههای اجتماعی) چطوری میتونه باعث بشه که ما واقعیت رو اشتباه بفهمیم. گربه یه سنجاب رو از لای یه پنجره گرد میبینه و فکر میکنه اون یه موش پشمالو عجیب و غریبه!
و خب چه اتفاقی میافته؟ گربه جاهای خالی اطلاعات رو با تخیلات خودش پر میکنه، چون مجبور بوده. این کار هم بامزهست و هم نشون میده که ذهن ما چطوری وقتی با کمبود اطلاعات مواجه میشه، خودش داستان میسازه.
اما دقیقاً وقتی که گربه مطمئن میشه دیگه دنیا رو میشناسه، در باز میشه. اون با دنیایی روبهرو میشه که خیلی بزرگتر، رنگارنگتر و پیچیدهتر از چیزیه که در تمام عمرش فقط دید زده بود.
مناسب بچههای پیش دبستانی و دبستان
🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰
* * *
Inside Cat knows many windows,
finds a view wherever it goes.
Wanders. Wonders.
Gazes. Gapes.
Sees the world through many shapes.
* * * Through the tall and narrow slit,
a squirrel jumps—
that must be it!
* * * Inside Cat knows many windows,
finds a view wherever it goes.
* * * Through the round, thick, dusty pane,
a furry rat is caught in rain.
* * * Inside Cat knows many windows,
finds a view wherever it goes.
* * * Through a window cracked and long,
it sees a sight where it belongs.
Through a small and soapy square,
it sees a giant staring eye... a scare!
* * * Inside Cat knows many windows,
finds a view wherever it goes.
* * * From the lowest floor to the top floor,
Inside Cat has seen it all.
It knows what's hiding in the gaps.
It knows the roaring of the flies.
It knows the things that rise and fall.
It knows what lurks behind the walls.
* * * It knows the world,
or so it thinks...
* * * Until...
The door.
A tiny crack.
A whole new view.
A gentle breeze.
A world of color, scents, and sound.
A new kind of window
is finally found.
* Inside Cat is finally... OUT!
🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐶🐶🐱🐱🙈🐱🐱🐱
این کتاب در واقع یه درس عمیق درباره دیدگاه محدود و درک به بچهها میده؛ و نشون میده که دیدن دنیا از طریق یه قاب محدود (مثل پنجره یا شبکههای اجتماعی) چطوری میتونه باعث بشه که ما واقعیت رو اشتباه بفهمیم. گربه یه سنجاب رو از لای یه پنجره گرد میبینه و فکر میکنه اون یه موش پشمالو عجیب و غریبه!
و خب چه اتفاقی میافته؟ گربه جاهای خالی اطلاعات رو با تخیلات خودش پر میکنه، چون مجبور بوده. این کار هم بامزهست و هم نشون میده که ذهن ما چطوری وقتی با کمبود اطلاعات مواجه میشه، خودش داستان میسازه.
اما دقیقاً وقتی که گربه مطمئن میشه دیگه دنیا رو میشناسه، در باز میشه. اون با دنیایی روبهرو میشه که خیلی بزرگتر، رنگارنگتر و پیچیدهتر از چیزیه که در تمام عمرش فقط دید زده بود.
مناسب بچههای پیش دبستانی و دبستان
🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰
* * *
Inside Cat knows many windows,
finds a view wherever it goes.
Wanders. Wonders.
Gazes. Gapes.
Sees the world through many shapes.
* * * Through the tall and narrow slit,
a squirrel jumps—
that must be it!
* * * Inside Cat knows many windows,
finds a view wherever it goes.
* * * Through the round, thick, dusty pane,
a furry rat is caught in rain.
* * * Inside Cat knows many windows,
finds a view wherever it goes.
* * * Through a window cracked and long,
it sees a sight where it belongs.
Through a small and soapy square,
it sees a giant staring eye... a scare!
* * * Inside Cat knows many windows,
finds a view wherever it goes.
* * * From the lowest floor to the top floor,
Inside Cat has seen it all.
It knows what's hiding in the gaps.
It knows the roaring of the flies.
It knows the things that rise and fall.
It knows what lurks behind the walls.
* * * It knows the world,
or so it thinks...
* * * Until...
The door.
A tiny crack.
A whole new view.
A gentle breeze.
A world of color, scents, and sound.
A new kind of window
is finally found.
* Inside Cat is finally... OUT!
March 11, 2023
Picture-book author and artist Brendan Wenzel, who won a Caldecott Honor for his 2016
They All Saw A Cat
, returns to the form and to the question of perception in this newest offering, published in 2021. The eponymous inside cat gazes at the world through a series of windows in this rhyming tale, getting to know a lot about the world and the people and creatures in it. The narrative suggests he knows it all, given his constant observation, but when he finally steps out of his building, the cat perceives how much of the world he has missed...
Inside Cat is Wenzel's ninth picture-book—the fourth that he both wrote and illustrated—and I approached it with great anticipation, given my enjoyment of his previous work, and my fondness for both his art, and for his clever exploration of themes such as perception, and how it can change depending upon the viewer. That being said, although I did end up appreciating it, I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected to do. I found that the series of windows through which the cat observed the world grew tedious, and I sometimes thought the rhyme scheme was rather awkward. The artwork throughout most of the book was humorous and fun, and I thought the shift in style on the final spread, when the cat finally steps out into the world, provided a dramatic visual emphasis of the theme of discovery of the whole, after only glimpsing it in segments. That being said, although I loved that final spread, I didn't enjoy the foregoing artwork quite as much, despite its good qualities. In sum, I think this was one I liked more in part, than in total, appreciating the concept and the final page the most, but remaining only mildly interested in the whole. Tastes vary of course, so other picture-book readers might want to give this a try, particularly if they are fans of Wenzel's work, or just want a fun kitty cat-centric picture-book.
Inside Cat is Wenzel's ninth picture-book—the fourth that he both wrote and illustrated—and I approached it with great anticipation, given my enjoyment of his previous work, and my fondness for both his art, and for his clever exploration of themes such as perception, and how it can change depending upon the viewer. That being said, although I did end up appreciating it, I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected to do. I found that the series of windows through which the cat observed the world grew tedious, and I sometimes thought the rhyme scheme was rather awkward. The artwork throughout most of the book was humorous and fun, and I thought the shift in style on the final spread, when the cat finally steps out into the world, provided a dramatic visual emphasis of the theme of discovery of the whole, after only glimpsing it in segments. That being said, although I loved that final spread, I didn't enjoy the foregoing artwork quite as much, despite its good qualities. In sum, I think this was one I liked more in part, than in total, appreciating the concept and the final page the most, but remaining only mildly interested in the whole. Tastes vary of course, so other picture-book readers might want to give this a try, particularly if they are fans of Wenzel's work, or just want a fun kitty cat-centric picture-book.
October 17, 2021
I will admit, I was reading through this one pretty quickly. Thinking, yup, got it, I can see where this is going... but then I realized, no, I did not know where this was going and I think Mr. Wenzel is taking this somewhere else because I started to notice there were new details. I slowed down my reading, took in the illustrations a bit more... then I came to the last page!!! And immediately closed the book and read it again, this time only looking at the illustrations. So many details that had escaped me on the first read. Got to the end, then closed the book and started it again. Third read, this time going slowly, reading the text and noticing more details in the illustrations. Closed the book and sat with my thoughts for awhile. Came back a few days later, after reading an interview with Mr. Wenzel. This time noticing the endpages.
Bottom line. Amazing book, don't go fast!!!
Bottom line. Amazing book, don't go fast!!!
January 1, 2022
I love how Brendan Wenzel takes such simple concepts and then blows the reader's mind.
Wenzel makes such beautiful picture books! With this one, I loved the way the rhythm of the words matched the movement of the illustrations, and the picture book had a great message about getting outside of your own little bubble.
Wenzel makes such beautiful picture books! With this one, I loved the way the rhythm of the words matched the movement of the illustrations, and the picture book had a great message about getting outside of your own little bubble.
October 4, 2021
Can you resist a picture book with a hilarious (and beautifully designed) cover? I certainly can’t. All I had to see were the titular cat’s enormous eyes and the title (Inside Cat), and I was hooked. Brendan Wenzel’s latest picture book is ART – and it’s funny, charming, original, and thought-provoking too!
Inside Cat views the world from, well, inside. It wonders and wanders all day long, looking out of windows of all kinds, at all sorts of things. The world of inside is pale and colorless – and in contrast, outside is vibrant, interesting, and stranger than strange. Inside Cat might think it knows everything there is to know from observing the world, but of course human readers know that the outside is wild, and distance changes your view of everything. In this witty and highly detailed picture book, author-illustrator Wenzel will charm readers of all ages with humor, language, and of course, art.
As an avid reader (since always), and now as an English teacher, I’m interested in the ways that we play with language and storytelling in primarily visual mediums like graphic novels and picture books. Wenzel has written a text that would read as a charming poem independent of the illustrations. Words rhyme throughout, and Wenzel employs alliteration, repetition, and many action verbs. There’s also a strong thread of humor, in both the look of the book (Inside Cat’s googly eyes are too much!), and in the ways that Inside Cat identifies elements of the world, both inside and out. Many of the jokes are not explicit in the text, but illustrated (literally!) in the ways that Inside Cat thinks, due to its limited frame of reference and point of view.
Wenzel displays true skill in navigating the delicate balancing act between writing a fast-paced story that appeals to impatient children, and creating a book that those same children will want to return to over and over again, and find new stories and details in each time. Wenzel accomplishes this in part by filling more white space with each subsequent page spread. While Wenzel’s economical use of text could help to pick up the reading pace, there’s so much to see on each page that it’s tough to make this a truly quick read. And really, why rush something so fun and lovely?
The art: let’s talk about it. Wenzel uses a variety of mediums, both physical and virtual, and the only thing I have to say about all of them is that they blend so well that this book feels all of a piece. The outdoors is depicted in full color, and indoors and Inside Cat’s imaginings are pastel-light outlines on a white background. There’s lots of detail, but much of it can be pushed to the background to consider on a 2nd, or 5th, or 500th re-read. Inside Cat’s eyes are the feature that stand out the most, echoing the importance of the visual to the cat’s experience and knowledge. I could go on… but by this point I hope you’ve realized you should go on and buy or borrow it yourself to enjoy what is truly a fun time.
In all, Inside Cat is both an exploration and a thought- and story-starter. It will have young readers and adults alike creating new adventures for Inside Cat, and wondering, wandering, gazing, and gaping at the world in a whole new way.
Recommended for: small children with big imaginations (little ones who liked Not A Box and other books that foster creative thinking will get a kick out of this!), fans of books with a twist at the end, and anyone who appreciates detailed illustrations, humor, and text working in harmony to create exceptional picture books.
Inside Cat views the world from, well, inside. It wonders and wanders all day long, looking out of windows of all kinds, at all sorts of things. The world of inside is pale and colorless – and in contrast, outside is vibrant, interesting, and stranger than strange. Inside Cat might think it knows everything there is to know from observing the world, but of course human readers know that the outside is wild, and distance changes your view of everything. In this witty and highly detailed picture book, author-illustrator Wenzel will charm readers of all ages with humor, language, and of course, art.
As an avid reader (since always), and now as an English teacher, I’m interested in the ways that we play with language and storytelling in primarily visual mediums like graphic novels and picture books. Wenzel has written a text that would read as a charming poem independent of the illustrations. Words rhyme throughout, and Wenzel employs alliteration, repetition, and many action verbs. There’s also a strong thread of humor, in both the look of the book (Inside Cat’s googly eyes are too much!), and in the ways that Inside Cat identifies elements of the world, both inside and out. Many of the jokes are not explicit in the text, but illustrated (literally!) in the ways that Inside Cat thinks, due to its limited frame of reference and point of view.
Wenzel displays true skill in navigating the delicate balancing act between writing a fast-paced story that appeals to impatient children, and creating a book that those same children will want to return to over and over again, and find new stories and details in each time. Wenzel accomplishes this in part by filling more white space with each subsequent page spread. While Wenzel’s economical use of text could help to pick up the reading pace, there’s so much to see on each page that it’s tough to make this a truly quick read. And really, why rush something so fun and lovely?
The art: let’s talk about it. Wenzel uses a variety of mediums, both physical and virtual, and the only thing I have to say about all of them is that they blend so well that this book feels all of a piece. The outdoors is depicted in full color, and indoors and Inside Cat’s imaginings are pastel-light outlines on a white background. There’s lots of detail, but much of it can be pushed to the background to consider on a 2nd, or 5th, or 500th re-read. Inside Cat’s eyes are the feature that stand out the most, echoing the importance of the visual to the cat’s experience and knowledge. I could go on… but by this point I hope you’ve realized you should go on and buy or borrow it yourself to enjoy what is truly a fun time.
In all, Inside Cat is both an exploration and a thought- and story-starter. It will have young readers and adults alike creating new adventures for Inside Cat, and wondering, wandering, gazing, and gaping at the world in a whole new way.
Recommended for: small children with big imaginations (little ones who liked Not A Box and other books that foster creative thinking will get a kick out of this!), fans of books with a twist at the end, and anyone who appreciates detailed illustrations, humor, and text working in harmony to create exceptional picture books.
November 24, 2021
I loved They All Saw A Cat and had high expectations for this book that just weren't met. First of all, it really dragged for me. How many dang windows are in this cat's house?!? Also I really disliked the end. I think it's supposed to be saying that there is still more for the cat to know but it comes off as saying that the cat's life is diminished because he is an inside cat and I just didn't like that.
October 13, 2021
I really loved They All Saw Cat and was really looking forward to this companion of sorts. Sadly it was just alright. It ran a bit long, and though it is still a story that leans heavily on perspective to tell the tale, it didn't have the perfect amount of charm and humor that the first did.
December 1, 2021
very cute drawings
October 22, 2021
This is a vibrant book that celebrates the many sights an inside cat sees from his/her windows. From parades to helicopters, many of these sights are mysterious, so the cat makes up creative identities for them. Being indoors is much safer for cats!
I enjoyed this book, but I am docking it a star because the text insisted on on referring to the cat as "it." I realize we may not always know an animal's sex, but calling them "it" reduces them to the status of inanimate objects. It's a bad and incorrect habit. Certainly in creating an imaginative story for the cat, the author also could have made them a him or her!
I enjoyed this book, but I am docking it a star because the text insisted on on referring to the cat as "it." I realize we may not always know an animal's sex, but calling them "it" reduces them to the status of inanimate objects. It's a bad and incorrect habit. Certainly in creating an imaginative story for the cat, the author also could have made them a him or her!
January 21, 2022
More cat books, please! 2021 was a great year for accurate picture books about cats. This one is better for one-on-one reading so the child can see each and every view that the cat sees. I also really like the repeating lines, "Inside Cat knows many windows, finds a view wherever it goes. Wanders. Wonders" and the rhyming beat that I would enjoy to read again and again. This book could be used in an art class to talk about perspective. While the cat may be stuck inside, it sees a lot and that view changes depending on the condition of the window.
January 10, 2022
A delightful work of perspective of the world as seen through the eyes of an "inside cat" looking through the windows of its house.
April 2, 2022
It’s rare to find a picture book that rewards an adult for the toddler’s obsessive insistence on re-reading. The first time we read this book, I thought “OK. Nice. I like the cat-shaped building, and the feline map of Manhattan, but it’s no They All Saw A Cat…” The fourth time, I was enchanted by the monochrome details of the indoor living space around the cat. On the fifth reading, I laughed out loud at the colored line drawings of what the cat imagines beyond the window frames. By the eighth reading, we were all invested in finding the mouse in each spread. The simple rhyming text is a perfect compliment to the multimedia art. This one might need to join the family library permanently.
July 22, 2022
More than a rhyming book, this is a gazing book. From under the dust cover to the endpapers, there is no end to the visual stimulation. The rhyming is poetic and not tiresome like many children's books, with vocabulary opportunities. The illustrations imply what the cat imagines. It's fun to gaze and find a sneaky little mouse, a misunderstood squirrel, cat-elements and the occasional dog. I loved seeing that the heart of the cat held a tiger and the mind a library.
June 27, 2025
Hilarious
The further you read, the more absurd the cat's imagination becomes, and it is hilarious. My son and I had a great time picking out the different things we would find. I loved the use of different media in the windows. The ending was superb.
XOXO
The further you read, the more absurd the cat's imagination becomes, and it is hilarious. My son and I had a great time picking out the different things we would find. I loved the use of different media in the windows. The ending was superb.
XOXO
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2021
I enjoyed this virtual read aloud at the Youtube channel Story Time With Mr. Limata (I had to skip forward to about 8:00). I look foward to holding a print copy very soon!
December 14, 2021
Had me until the very last page, when the Inside Cat is let outside. Y'all, keep your cats inside, they're safer and they can live just as fulfilling lives in a house.
January 16, 2022
This needs to be read multiple times! Great illustrations!
January 26, 2022
I love cats. That is all.
February 11, 2022
Portrays an inside cat's view of the world as seen through windows of a home. This is one of those books that can be read and explored many times over.
April 11, 2022
Ok, went a little long for me.
July 21, 2022
Spotted this book on the top of the shelf and it caught my eye so I checked it out. Turns out it's by Brendan Wenzel, master of creative cat themed picture books and the famed They All Saw a Cat. This book is equally creative, clever, funny, and weird. The book plays with scale, perspective, and imagining what's not seen. The rhyme scheme is a little off and I kind of felt the story went on longer than it needed. Can totally forgive that, however, because this scribble cat is so darn cute. Great last page.
November 22, 2022
Spot on for how infatuated our cat is with windows.
November 27, 2023
خوشمزه و شیرین بود.
September 16, 2025
Cute book about the life of a cat that lives in doors.
October 3, 2023
Inside Cat sees the world through the myriad of windows in their home, imagining they know what is going on by the snippets portrayed. Great way to think about perspective and imagination, with beautiful dynamic illustrations and rhythmically rhyming text.
June 20, 2025
Sometimes I wonder how some books get published. I sure don't know a single kid who would like this one - and I am the librarian at a school with nearly 700 elementary students.
November 5, 2021
Easy reading rhyming text and with giant eyes like that this book just screams storytime and craft.
October 27, 2021
Our furry feline friends have personalities as distinctive as our own. They can be unpredictable and creatures of habit at the same time. We find ourselves embracing them despite these contrasting characteristics. Unlike most of their canine counterparts, sometimes it can take years before they allow themselves to be a part of a human family.
We know when we look at the world through the eyes of another, the world can become completely altered. Two or more individuals can be looking at the same space and focus on entirely different elements. This is how our perceptions of our immediate and extended surroundings increase and our imaginations are keener. Inside Cat (Chronicle Books, October 12, 2021) written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel presents a cat's eye view as it moves throughout its building. This cat believes what it sees, floor by floor, is a realistic representation of the outside.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
We know when we look at the world through the eyes of another, the world can become completely altered. Two or more individuals can be looking at the same space and focus on entirely different elements. This is how our perceptions of our immediate and extended surroundings increase and our imaginations are keener. Inside Cat (Chronicle Books, October 12, 2021) written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel presents a cat's eye view as it moves throughout its building. This cat believes what it sees, floor by floor, is a realistic representation of the outside.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
October 21, 2021
Another wonderful picture book by Wenzel dealing with perspective and cats. In They All Saw a Cat, we see how a variety of animals perceive a cat. In Inside Cat, we see the world from an inside cat's point of view. Seeing the outside world only through windows, an inside cat doesn't get the full picture. There is so much detail on each page. This is the kind of book that can be read over and over and still each time entertain and enlighten. A wonderful picture book that is both evocative and whimsical and must be shared.
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