Nat the Cat Takes a Nap: Ready-to-Read Pre-Level 1

Nat the Cat

by Jarrett Lerner

From Jarrett Lerner comes a new Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about a grumpy cat and a long-suffering narrator!

Nat the Cat is taking a nap. Or he would be…if only the narrator would stop interrupting his sleep!

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

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2023

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nat the Cat Takes a Nap is an absolute delight! I am here for all the @jarrett_lerner early readers!

This Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read from @simonkids is PERFECT for elementary libraries & to share with kids who love to laugh. It's meta & hilarious.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a school librarian. I read this book to my first grade classes and was met with the best giggles. Some kids literally fell over laughing! It’s rare to find an easy reader that’s so engaging!

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. What a delight! In the style of beloved Elephant and Piggie, Nat the Cat interacts with the narrator and reader with easy to read speech bubbles. In true style of an early reader with controlled vocabulary and short sentences, Nat the Cat is trying to sleep. Rhyming words add to the fun. Love Lerner’s illustrations! Can’t wait to see what happens in next book about a bath.

[Jessica Calaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading age
3 - 5 years

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! A great early reader/pre-reader that kids will love. The meta play between character and narrator is hilarious and done in a way that kids will be in on the joke. Speech bubbles will help kids understand dialogue and the role of speech in text. A perfect lead-in to Elephant & Piggie and other similar books.

[Janet Squires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nat the Cat is built on a simple, but clever premise. He wants to take a nap, but his efforts are consistently thwarted by a narrator who interrupts to describe Nat’s actions as portrayed in the illustrations. The resulting confusion provides plenty of silly fun that will have youngsters laughing.

Poor Nat grows more and more grumpy as he struggles to cat-nap and fails to get more than a few ZZ’s before he’s awakened, again! As if the incessant chatter isn’t enough, the narrator further complicates matters by misinterpreting Nat’s remarks. When Nat exclaims, “Oh brother!” after being awakened yet again, the narrator confidently concludes, “Nat is calling for his brother,” sending the story spinning in a new direction that ultimately leads to a satisfying resolution.

With beginning readers in mind, Lerner employs short, three-to-five-word sentences and basic, repetitive vocabulary. The simple, action-packed illustrations paired with strong facial expressions, provide plenty of visual clues to aid in understanding.

Three- to five-year-olds will enjoy the story and build confidence at the same time.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: This is Nat. Nat is a cat. Nat the Cat is taking a nap.

Premise/plot: Nat the Cat is UNHAPPY that the narrator of Nat the Cat Takes a Nap is interrupting his [actual] nap. Dare I say that Nat the Cat is turning grumpy??? The narrator definitely has a plan for how this story should go, how it should unfold. But will Nat the Cat go with flow? go with the plan? Will Nat the Cat ever get back to sleep?

My thoughts: Do you love 'interactive' books where the narrator talks with the characters, and the characters talk back? Do you like cats? love cats? Want an early reader or a "pre-reader" with a big dose of humor? I do recommend this one. I enjoyed the story. There isn't as much text as say in an Elephant and Piggie book. The text is fairly simple. Depending on how you define, simple, I suppose. It isn't one that a new reader could read cover to cover without help. It has words like "brother" and "hooray" etc. But new readers could read *some* words on their own, could "help" read the story.

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jarrett Lerner strikes again, and it's a home run! Nat the Cat wants to take a nap, but the pesky narrator keeps interrupting him. Nat sincerely wants peace and quiet, but the narrator won't leave him alone. Soon Nat the Cat is joined by his "brother" Pat the Rat. Nat the Cat vehemently denies that the rat is his brother.

Soon Pat the Rat wants to nap also. The narrator interrupts and announces that Pat the Rat is taking a nap. Nat the Cat can't believe it. Kids will giggle at the antics of the meddling narrator and empathize with poor Nat the Cat who really just wants a decent nap.

Highly, highly recommended for beginning readers.

[Kirsten Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nat the Cat is trying to take a nap, but the narrator keeps waking him up. The play on words and story that is sure to make kids giggle does so with words that all use the short a sound. Children who are just learning to read will love this book as it resembles a phonics book and is simple to read aloud. The narrator breaking the Fourth Wall is very entertaining and would make a good storytime book and a great addition to any library. Will Nat the Cat finally get to nap?

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nat the Cat is trying really hard to take a nap, but is unsuccessful, mostly because the narrator keeps, well, narrating. He gets angrier and more tired as even his friend Pat the Rat comes to help.

A pre-level One reader with short rhyming words and lots of repetition. Jarrett Lerner is such a great illustrator, this magic is in his pictures. I love the faces on Nat. Please write more books about this frustrated kitty.

Cross-posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Malysea Flood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an easy read for all ages, especially younger kids. It is an exciting story that speaks about a cat named Nat who loves to nap, but he is constantly being distracted by things that surround him. The overall goal I believe was that the author wants the readers to understand that rest is important and that sometimes things distracting you can become an issue when it comes to getting proper rest.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nat the Cat is trying to take a nap, but the narrator providing narration of his napping progress is making things a bit difficult. Will Nat the Cat ever be able to nap?

A simple humorous story involving a lot of words that end in -at and -ap. I completely sympathize with Nat the Cat, I would be rather upset at the narrator too. This would be a great read aloud with different voices and for kids practicing reading with the emotions of the characters.

[Sarah Alamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're so proud of you for reading "Nat the Cat Takes a Nap"! What a funny story about Nat trying so hard to sleep while the narrator kept bothering him. You learned something wonderful - when things don't go the way you want them to, you shouldn't give up! Just like Nat kept trying to nap even when he got interrupted. Next time someone bothers you during quiet time, remember Nat's patience. You're becoming such a strong reader, sweetheart!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute & funny: Can’t wait for the next book!
My 5 year old giggled as he read this story of a cat who can’t nap because the narrator keeps interrupting him by narrating. He was ready for Book 2 when we finished! If only it was out already! Jarrett Lerner’s illustrations are bold and appealing, as usual.

[Andrew Hacket · Rating 5 out of 5]

All you could hope for in an early reader! Decodable? Check. Humourous? Check. Irresistible to children? Check. With simple text and inviting illustrations, this book will open the door to a love of reading for so many and will most likely claim the spot of “first book read” by thousands of children. I know it has for mine!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nat the Cat would like to take a nap - but the pesky narrator keeps interrupting. And getting things wrong - For example, Pat the Rat is definitely NOT Nat the Cat's brother. But he is a good napper!

This is the first in a new series for those just learning to read. It's cute - and I will go on record to say that I am definitely Team Nat and not Team Narrator.

[Layla Esmail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this story to be absolutely adorable. What makes "Nat the Cat Takes a Nap" so enjoyable is its message of perseverance and resilience. Despite facing numerous setbacks, Nat refuses to give up on her mission to find a peaceful spot to nap. Her determination serves as a valuable lesson for young readers, encouraging them to keep trying even when faced with challenges.

[Brooklyn Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nat the Cat Takes a Nap by Jarrett Lerner is a story of a cat who is very very tired, but is struggling to take a nap. The illustrations in the book are very bright. This book explores patience and relaxation, in a relatable way for young readers, since relaxation isn't usually the first thing on their mind. This is also a really cute bedtime story!

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy readers often focus so much on introducing words and sounds that creativity and fun can take a back seat. Not so with NAT THE CAT, a funny story about a grumpy cat who just wants to take a nap--and the narrator is being too talkative. Kids will relate and will love Nat's very animated expressions.

[Kelly]

This book is cute and funny. I think it's better if you're able to pick up on the illustrations, the feelings in the cat's face. Too bad takes has a long a, huh? Otherwise, very good for the young reader.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only Jarrett Lerner could create an easy reader that is somehow one of my new favorite read alouds. I am absolutely crazy about this book. I’ve read it aloud probably 20 times and I laugh out loud every single time.

[Penny Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and fun easy to read. The opposite of a basic boring early reader. Kids will love to read this again and again. I loved the banter between Nat the Cat and the narrator. The art is super cute and fun. Now I think I would like to take a nap too.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hysterical book from one of my favorite kid lit creators. I love those this is so appropriate for emerging readers, too. So good on so many levels! I look forward to the further adventures of Nat the Cat.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be fun to read with a young (five and below) beginner reader. The illustrations amplify the simple, repetitive text, and the cat and rat have a sibling-vibe going on. I liked the sense of humor.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nat the Cat is trying to take a nap, but the narrator (the reader) keeps interrupting Nat. It was hard not to chuckle reading this book. It reminded me of a much more entertaining and funnier version of the beginning Bob books.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this simple, yet funny text from Jarret Lerner and can’t wait to add more from the series to my classroom library!

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can so few words be so funny? With great illustration and misinterpretation by the narrator. Highly recommended!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, slightly sarcastic early readers (which I love of course).

[Steph]

Turn/Level: (2/1)

Themes: Naptime

Be sure to use different voices for Nat, Narrator(yourself), and Pat.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Elephant and Piggie will appreciate this book.