The White House Cat: Inspired by Willow Biden – A Picture Book About America's First Pets for Kids

by Cylin Busby, Neely Daggett (Illustrator)

This clever picture book is a delightful introduction to the White House from an unusual point of view: that of the first cat.

You've heard of the President, the First Lady, and maybe even some first dogs who have lived at the White House. But what about the first cat?

Follow along on this very special tour of the People's House--you'll see who really runs things around here. . . .

With detailed illustrations and chock-full of fun facts about this historic residence--and the real first cats--this picture book is the perfect way to introduce children to the White House.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Government

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 15, 2022

About the author

Cylin Busby is the author of several teen books and numerous articles as well as the acclaimed young adult memoir, THE YEAR WE DISAPPEARED,which was a Wall Street Journal bestseller, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, and a Cybils Award winner.
Her latest novel, THE NINE LIVES OF JACOB TIBBS, has earned starred reviews and was an Amazon Best Book of the Month. The former Senior Editor of Teen Magazine, Cylin now lives in Los Angeles with her family.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely illustrative tour of the people’s house by the First Cat. And, who wouldn’t want to see what happens in the most important big house in the United States through the eyes of a Cat?

The pages are colorful, filled with humor and fun and give children an inside view of what it could possibly look like inside and around The White House where the President of the United States lives and his many staff work.

At the back of the book, the author provides important fun facts that can provide good educational information for kids and parents/teachers.

Reading Level: 4- 8 years

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always loved cats and this smiling calico was too cute to pass up. I’ve also always enjoyed looking at houses, interior design, etc. so the inside look at the White House would have appealed to young me as much as it does to grown-up me. Story itself is cute and fun, bonus points for the back matter explaining more about the various rooms and details (such as artwork, china, Resolute Desk, etc.) seen in the illustrations. If only there was a bibliography!

[Georgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute!!!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable. I learned so much about the white house AND first cats. It's so fun to read all the fun facts in the back. I do wish they had named Willow in the actual book, instead of just calling her "Biden's Cat"

[Heather Tweed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every cat lover of any age should read this adorable book!

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

The First Cat is a combination of cats that have lived in the White House, who takes readers on a tour of the residence as it explores various rooms in a day-in-the-life-of format. The cat is cute and does cat things, but the really interesting bit is at the end in the "Fun Facts About the White House" section, where more detailed notes discuss the different rooms visited, furniture, artwork, history, and more. The illustrations are much more meaningful with the additional information.

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very simple, yet very educational book. This book is the story of cat, "The First Cat" that lives in the White House, as many cats have before it. The cat introduces, among full color illustrations, the main places in the White House, as well as those that are never talked about, such as the kitchen, The Rose Garden, the Blue Room, and the china room.

The last section of the book is what I found most interesting, although probably young readers really wouldn't (but their parents would). It had a section called, "Fun Facts About the White House" where I learned a lot of stuff I never knew about the White House. For example, at this writing, did you know that the White House had 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 6 levels, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, 3 elevators, and 30,000 historical objects? There are 3 kitchens with 5 full-time chefs...24/7. The West Wing and Rose Garden (since paved over by President Trump) were originally horse stables and a storage area for ice and wood. There are many incredible history facts throughout the last 2 pages.

A great read for kids being read to by adults that love history.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

In order to really appreciate this book, Goodreaders, you might need these two prerequisites:

* You love cats
* You enjoy imagining, what would happen if there were an official U.S. President's cat, living in the White House?

Among the fun facts at the end of this book, you learn that President Abraham Lincoln had two cats, Dixie and Tabby. Since then, other presidents have had cats while living in the White House:

* President Bill Clinton
* President George W. Bush
* President Joe Biden

FIVE STARS for a cat-centered, playful tour.

[Christy Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute cat as the character leads readers on a tour through the White House rooms with further explanations and tidbits of history and trivia at the back of the book make for a fun read-aloud to children. The pictures in Busby's book do as much to tell the story as the words as one absorbs a sense of place and size.

[Brandon Dyer (Children's Librarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids will love to follow the life of the President of the United States cat. I sure know I did. You can see that mischief the cat will get into, while also learning all the different parts of the White House.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute tour of the White House with fun facts in the back matter

[Leova Manbhat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love how you are able to see different parts of the White House.

[Abigail Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adorable story that teaches about the White House through the eyes of an adorable cat! My 9 year old loved it especially!

[Brunette Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable - great story and lovely illustrations.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is busy for the First Cat. There are laps and plenty of naps that need to be taken at the White House.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story; I liked the notes more than the story

[Ronda Canary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.6

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little calico cat gets to live in the White House!

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful tour of the White House by the best tour guide!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute drawings and clever text!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tour of the white house from a cat's view. My child did not find the story particularly exciting, but she though the artwork was cute.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This First Feline, serving as a composite cats that have lived in the White House, takes readers on an entertaining tour of the mansion as it explores various rooms in a day-in-the-life-of format.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great introduction to the White House although the cat is fictional, lots of great tidbits at the end.

[TJE · Rating 2 out of 5]

too high for toddler, wasn't interested in the cat pictures either

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

CUTE ART! Fun story.