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Jack the Library Cat
"Read it and purr." ―Kirkus Reviews
When a story-loving stray meets a new kid in town, they become fast friends―and reading buddies.
A stray cat keeps turning up for story time at the library, but animals aren't allowed in the building, and besides, the children's librarian is not a cat person. Then a boy named Pascal crosses paths with the friendly feline and sneaks him inside. Soon enough, the stray cat gets a name, a home, and a group of kids clamoring to read to him. Could life be any more purr-fect?
When a story-loving stray meets a new kid in town, they become fast friends―and reading buddies.
A stray cat keeps turning up for story time at the library, but animals aren't allowed in the building, and besides, the children's librarian is not a cat person. Then a boy named Pascal crosses paths with the friendly feline and sneaks him inside. Soon enough, the stray cat gets a name, a home, and a group of kids clamoring to read to him. Could life be any more purr-fect?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 11, 2023
2 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 20, 2024
Kudos to libraries and animal shelters with Read to a Cat (or dog) programs. Sweet illustrations.
November 25, 2022
An adorable cat. A rooms filled with books. A recipe for an absolutely delightful read.
JACK THE LIBRARY CAT, written and illustrated by Marietta Apollonio! As a former early ed practitioner and early elementary teacher, and now homeschooler I know this wonderful read aloud fits perfectly in a 3yr old preschool setting as well as an early elementary class. Early learners (and adult readers) will fall in love with this beloved stray cat, as he searches and finds his forever home, AND a life-long friend. Oh I have to mention how the colorful, engaging illustrations guides your eyes revealing that Jack isn’t the only adorable, uninvited guest in this story. SUCH A FUN READ!
JACK THE LIBRARY CAT, written and illustrated by Marietta Apollonio! As a former early ed practitioner and early elementary teacher, and now homeschooler I know this wonderful read aloud fits perfectly in a 3yr old preschool setting as well as an early elementary class. Early learners (and adult readers) will fall in love with this beloved stray cat, as he searches and finds his forever home, AND a life-long friend. Oh I have to mention how the colorful, engaging illustrations guides your eyes revealing that Jack isn’t the only adorable, uninvited guest in this story. SUCH A FUN READ!
December 3, 2022
Marietta Apollonio’s debut picture book, Jack the Library Cat is a sweet story about love-love of reading, love of friendships and belonging. This talented author/illustrator gifts us with an uplifting tale enhanced with beautiful pastel illustrations. A delightful book for home and school libraries.
November 9, 2022
Library cats now mandatory in any fiction universe I reside in, hopefully the nonfiction universe I reside in as well.
ARC through Edelweiss. Nothing given in exchange for review.
ARC through Edelweiss. Nothing given in exchange for review.
October 11, 2022
This is the cutest book! Jack really likes the library but the librarian doesn’t like cats. But then Jack makes a friend. Will it change things for him? Thank you to the publisher for this advanced copy of the most precious book!
January 11, 2023
A gorgeously illustrated story of the power of our communities, especially that of our smallest members! This debut children's book by author and illustrator Marietta Apollonio is soft and subtle but full of sweetness and diversity. Our main duo, Jack and Pascal, create a friendship that overcomes any obstacles, mainly that cats aren't allowed in the library, but it's in the way the story is told, effortlessly and full of whimsy, that we find what we love about this book... that friendship rocks and we can create change in everyday ways!
January 5, 2023
*Pre-Pub copy viewed via Edelweiss thanks to Albert Whitman & Co*
This is a sweet and colorful story of a library cat! The librarian isn't a cat person, but the little boy Pascal is, and Jack reminds Pascal of his old cat. It's warm and comforting to see Jack and Pascal reading together. Makes me want to sit to read with a cat in my lap!
This is a sweet and colorful story of a library cat! The librarian isn't a cat person, but the little boy Pascal is, and Jack reminds Pascal of his old cat. It's warm and comforting to see Jack and Pascal reading together. Makes me want to sit to read with a cat in my lap!
December 8, 2022
Jack the Library Cat is a delightful read! I loved learning about Jack and how he felt most at home in the library with kids. It's a heartwarming tale about friendship, connecting with stories, and finding your place. Beautifully illustrated, children will be sure to want to read this over and over!
November 16, 2022
A sweet cat who loves the library - what's not to love? I can imagine this adorable book being a librarian's favorite for read-alouds because of the story but also because it is beautiful to look at. Apollonio's gorgeous artwork matches the tone of the story perfectly. In every way, a lovely picture book. I also loved the back matter about reading to animals!
August 18, 2023
Cute book, but the story doesn't take people with allergies into consideration even though it mentions it in the author's note. The librarian is portrayed as a grump who "isn't a cat person" instead of someone who is concerned about the comfort and health of the other patrons.
May 18, 2023
Who can imagine a librarian who does not like cats?? Not possible. But this story has one who must learn to accommodate a library cat who befriends a shy little boy.
June 8, 2023
Awwww. Every library ought to have their own cat. ❤️
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May 11, 2023
When a stray cat sneaks into the library and is spotted in the children’s story time, he is sent out. The children’s librarian “isn’t a cat person.” When a young boy, named Pascal, sees the cat outside of the library, he makes friends with him. Pascal and the cat have an influence on the librarian. Will Jack, the cat become a library cat? Sweet illustrations add extra charm to this lovable story. It’s the perfect read aloud for cat lovers as well as library lovers. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2023
An adorable story about a tabby cat helping a shy reader out! Just love the illustrations and Jack the cat too !!
August 23, 2023
every library needs a jack!
August 14, 2023
Can’t stand the trending blurrying of gender norms via illustrations.
June 7, 2023
Aww! A cat looking for a home, a library, and a change of heart are the themes of this sweet book. Jack the cat loves the library, but the children's librarian doesn't like him. A child who needs some extra confidence in reading has a valuable lesson to teach the librarian, and she begins to see Jack through another set of eyes.
A great message, wrapped up in a sweet, engaging book that even "non-cat people" like Ms. Fisher, can enjoy and learn from.
A great message, wrapped up in a sweet, engaging book that even "non-cat people" like Ms. Fisher, can enjoy and learn from.
June 30, 2023
This was a cute book about a cat that just loves the Library, and a librarian that doesn’t like cats. The cat keeps coming into the library, and the librarian eventually warms up to him! It’s a super cute book, and Jack is adorable.
We are animal lovers in my house, so we really enjoyed this book.
We are animal lovers in my house, so we really enjoyed this book.
July 7, 2023
I'm usually a dog person but you can't help but fall in love with Jack the Library Cat! This is such a charming story about a stray cat who befriends a sweet boy, and their love for story time! Mar's illustrations are beautiful and so much fun. Part sweet, part mischievous, all around adorable story for the littles!
July 10, 2023
Very cute illustrations and a very cute story. Jack loves everything about the library, but the Children's librarian does not like cats (not anything like this real life Children's librarian). But the new kid, Pascal, brings out the best in everyone. And Jack is welcomed by the librarian and the kids.
May 19, 2023
Libraries and cats...can't go wrong!
May 31, 2023
What children's librarian isn't a fan of cats??
January 12, 2023
The rakish feline protagonist of this charming picturebook stealthily enters a public library each day, enjoying naps on bookshelves and storytimes in the children’s room, until one day his presence becomes obvious to the children’s librarian, Ms. Fisher. In a fun twist on librarian stereotypes, the fashionably dressed Ms. Fisher is “not a cat person,” and bans Jack from the library after he tips over a cart of books. The sad street cat is excluded for weeks from the library, forced to spend his time in unpleasant alleys until one day an observant and kind young boy sneaks him back in. In a gorgeously illustrated spread, the reader is treated to a Jacks-eye view of this extraordinary library, complete with wall murals, soft colors, and a wide diversity of human patrons. The story then expands and grows, depicting the naissance of a read-to-an-animal program that starts with Jack and the boy Pascal who helped him return to his beloved library. Pascal and Jack persevere against Ms. Fisher’s objections, culminating in a happy resolution that will warm the hearts of children’s librarians and animal lovers. Apollonio’s gentle art, with its soothing colors, soft lines, and perceptive portrayals of the human and feline characters, supports the satisfying storyline perfectly. Jack is an absolutely endearing cat, with his notched ear and sweet face, and is the epitome of a misunderstood feline stray who just needs love, friends, and stories. Highly recommended for lovers of books, libraries, animals, and hopeful, positive tales.
June 23, 2023
A sweet kitty keeps crashing the library story hour. Ms. Fisher, the librarian, does not believe that she is a cat person - so out our orange feline friend goes! She even puts up signs asking patrons to make sure the cat does not come into the library. But one day, a new kid shows up. Pascal IS a cat person. He smuggles the cat in - and when it's time to read with a buddy, Pascal chooses the cat. Of course, when Ms. Fisher sees them, the cat goes back outside. But it soon becomes clear that Pascal is much more comfortable reading to the cat than he is to a person. What will Ms. Fisher do? Create a read-to-the-cat program, of course! And Pascal even has a name for the new library cat - Jack.
The author adds a brief note at the end about the benefits of reading to an animal. And I can certainly agree with her assessment! I have been brought to tears on more than one occasion as a grateful parent and/or child tells me how helpful it has been to have the opportunity to read to an animal. Animals can be very understanding and non-judgmental listeners which can really help boost the confidence of a struggling reader. If your local library doesn't have a program, check with the animal shelter. It truly can be a game changer for a child who is struggling with reading.
The author adds a brief note at the end about the benefits of reading to an animal. And I can certainly agree with her assessment! I have been brought to tears on more than one occasion as a grateful parent and/or child tells me how helpful it has been to have the opportunity to read to an animal. Animals can be very understanding and non-judgmental listeners which can really help boost the confidence of a struggling reader. If your local library doesn't have a program, check with the animal shelter. It truly can be a game changer for a child who is struggling with reading.
September 10, 2023
This story is supposed to be cute and heartwarming, but I don't like the portrayal of a child deliberately, repeatedly breaking the library rules to bring a cat inside when this has been expressly forbidden. It's not helpful to model this kind of behavior to children. The story also doesn't acknowledge the reasons why most libraries don't allow cats, such as keeping the environment safe for people with allergies.
The book portrays the librarian as a grumpy killjoy who comes around in the end, and I don't like this at all. You shouldn't teach children that if they break the rules enough times, then they'll get their way, and you shouldn't ignore the real and valid reasons why the only animals most community services buildings allow inside are service animals.
The book portrays the librarian as a grumpy killjoy who comes around in the end, and I don't like this at all. You shouldn't teach children that if they break the rules enough times, then they'll get their way, and you shouldn't ignore the real and valid reasons why the only animals most community services buildings allow inside are service animals.
October 17, 2023
First sentence: Jack snuck through the doors of the library each morning.
Premise/plot: Jack, the starring cat of our picture book, LOVES the library. The allergic-to-cats librarian does not appreciate Jack and his desire to be IN the library. She frowns upon those who let the adorable Jack inside the building. But Jack has fans and supporters who understand his need for STORIES. Will the librarian realize that Jack deserves to be in the library?
My thoughts: What a cute story. I enjoyed this one. I liked the library setting. I loved Jack. I loved that it celebrated BOOKS, stories, and CATS.
Premise/plot: Jack, the starring cat of our picture book, LOVES the library. The allergic-to-cats librarian does not appreciate Jack and his desire to be IN the library. She frowns upon those who let the adorable Jack inside the building. But Jack has fans and supporters who understand his need for STORIES. Will the librarian realize that Jack deserves to be in the library?
My thoughts: What a cute story. I enjoyed this one. I liked the library setting. I loved Jack. I loved that it celebrated BOOKS, stories, and CATS.
February 22, 2023
Much like the librarian in this story, I am not a cat person. So what I'm about to say means even more...I LOVE JACK (and Pascal)!
On the first page the illustrations grabbed hold of me and were a delight all the way through. And by the end of the second page turn I was all in on needing to know how the story would progress. I also cannot speak highly enough about Marietta's choice of words and how much they add to this beautifully written story. This is an absolute gem of a story in every way.
On the first page the illustrations grabbed hold of me and were a delight all the way through. And by the end of the second page turn I was all in on needing to know how the story would progress. I also cannot speak highly enough about Marietta's choice of words and how much they add to this beautifully written story. This is an absolute gem of a story in every way.
November 27, 2023
With wonderful illustrations including warm, adorable depictions of the cat and boy MCs and the fabulous library, JACK THE LIBRARY CAT is an absolute must-read which shows how powerful verbs, relatable emotions and interactions, and endearing voice can all contribute to a standout story. There's so much to love and celebrate for this book: A library-loving cat, a kind and clever kid, the magic of reading buddies (including animals!), how change can be worthwhile, and irresistible story time. A most delightful read!
January 4, 2024
Jack is a cat who really loves the library. But when Jack accidentally knocks over a cart filled with books, he is banned from the library. The librarian freely admits that she is not a cat person and is firm in her resolve to keep him out. However, Jack finds a friend who lets him in and the librarian is finally convinced that Jack can be helpful. A sweet book about cats as reading buddies. Don't miss the author's note at the back!
"...the largest number of cats in Russia's Hermitage Museum: about fifty to sixty. Some cats hold positions on staff and welcome guests."
"...the largest number of cats in Russia's Hermitage Museum: about fifty to sixty. Some cats hold positions on staff and welcome guests."
April 20, 2025
Jack the Library Cat written and illustrated by Marietta Apollonio is a sweet picture book. When a stray cat sneaks into the library and is spotted in the children’s story time, he is sent out. The children’s librarian “isn’t a cat person.” When a young boy, named Pascal, sees the cat outside of the library, he makes friends with him. Pascal and the cat have an influence on the librarian. Will Jack, the cat become a library cat? Sweet illustrations add extra charm to this lovable story. It’s the perfect read aloud for cat lovers as well as library lovers. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews