Kindergarten Cat

by J. Patrick Lewis, Ailie Busby (Illustrator)

Here's the purr-fect read-aloud for kindergarteners!

When Mr. Bigbuttons finds a tiny stray kitty cat outside near the jungle gym, he knows exactly where to bring it—into the kindergarten classroom, of course. And so the children welcome their newest classmate, name her Tinker Toy, and share their circle time spots with her. Tinker Toy fits right in, even answering Teacher's questions with a loud "Meow!"

J. Patrick Lewis is one of the most renowned children's poets writing today, and he has created a real gem. His simple rhyming text demands to be read aloud—and the large type and bright, irresistible illustrations by Ailie Busby make this a fantastic book for story time in classrooms and libraries.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, School, Childrens, Animals, Adventure, Storytime

40 pages, Library Binding

First published July 27, 2010

About the author

J. Patrick Lewis is the current Children's Poet Laureate. He has written more than seventy children's books, including Once Upon a Tomb: Gravely Humorous Verses. J. Patrick Lewis lives in Ohio.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A funny, if unrealistic, quick picture book with cute kindergarteners. My kids like how the cat says different things with its meow. But what gets me each time is this line:

"She's furry, she's floppy,
Like a raggedy doll,
And her paws are all fluffy,
Like cotton balls.

That doesn't really rhyme. And the rhythm is sometimes off with other rhymes too. I find this annoying.

[Primavera Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute book! The pictures were very bright and fun to look at. The book was also an easy read because of the rhyming words. I remember when I was in kindergarten and we had a "class pet" that was a stuffed animal that we got to take home if we were good. This would be a great book to introduce a concept like that to a kindergarten class. The pictures were cute and whimsical, perfect for a kindergarten classroom. I also think it was a great idea to have the cat "talk" and engage with the students in the story. Another thing that I noticed is the use of colors to determine the time of day. The entire page would be a cool blue color to indicate night, and bright and colorful to indicate day. I think this is a great picture book to have students read!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

"What?! Can this happen?! Can we adopt a cat for my school??" When I read this book with my cat-loving elementary school-age daughter, she marveled at the possibility that a cat like "Tinker Toy" could live at a school. I think she missed the subtle messages about what a Kindergarten classroom dynamic is like and what lessons are learned in favor of imagining an educational experience with a sleepy cat in her lap. Sweet premise - though some misses throughout the book in terms of pace, narrative, and rhythm.

[Well-Read Mama · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a book that will teach your child about what kindergarten is like. It is more about a stray cat finding a home in the classroom.
The rhyming in this book is a hit and miss; sometimes it's flowing great, sometimes it makes you cringe! The alphabet, addition, and colors are mentioned, but barely.
It should be noted that this book is super cute! So i stick by my rating for mostly that reason.

https://wellreadmama.com/kindergarten...

[Brad McClaugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, easy to read, rhyming poem for beginning readers. It is about a stray cat who is found outside on an elementary school playground. The cat is put in a kindergarten classroom and named Tinker. The tells of all she does during the school day. It uses shorts sentences and phrases and has illustrations on each page.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited for this book and expected more from it. The teacher named the cat and I was not a fan of its name. The illustrations are alright, have no problem with them, but the story was just okay. The cat is very cute.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worker discovers a lonely stray kitten outside the school and brings her in--now she is the Kindergarten Cat! This is a cute, if rather awkwardly-told, story of a cat who learns alongside the students in a kindergarten classroom.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a cat the custodian found and the class who adopted him.

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This almost went over MY head.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unrealistic, but cute.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tinker Toy finds a new home at school in the kindergarten classroom.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a kitten is found outside by the jungle gym, she is taken into the Kindergarten classroom. They name her Tinker Toy and welcome her to the class. She joins right in with the Kindergarten activities. She even answers questions with a loud Me-ow. When the children head out for recess, she makes a nice napping spot in the paintbrush drawer. And when they go home in the afternoon, she stays in the classroom, tries to tidy up the markers, and then falls asleep on the capital C on a carpet square. The entire book is a very friendly and charming way to show children what happens in a Kindergarten classroom.

This book is such an appeal package. Lewis’ verse is kept very simple, making it ideal for sharing with young children. The rhymes and rhythm keep the book moving along at a brisk pace that will keep young ears listening.

Busby’s bright illustrations are equally engaging with their sunny palette. The illustrations are done in collage allowing for interesting textures and patterns that add depth. The round-faced people are from a variety of races, making for a modern classroom feel.

Although some will quibble about a pet being allowed in a school, the device really works well here. Get this in the hands of hesitant Kindergarteners and Kindergarten teachers too. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cat comes to live in a kindergarten home after a janitor finds her alone on the playground. The children enjoy the cute cat and the teacher uses the cat to provide a lesson to her students. The teacher insists that all children can learn and proceeds to demonstrate the cat's intelligence. Tinker Toy enjoys her time with the children during the day and curls up to sleep in her new home after they leave.
Kindergarten Cat features a simple rhyme scheme with a single verse on each page. J. Patrick Lewis uses emphasis to play off of the separate syllables in meow to allow Tinker Toy to answer the teacher's questions. The emphasis on the syllables in meow will assist children with phonological awareness. Children can also practice narrative skills as they retell the different events in Tinker Toy's day with the children. Finally, the book could serve as a way to introduce young children to the idea of school in a positive way and reduce some of the fear associated with starting school.

[L13_Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! In this book, a teacher brings a stray cat into a classroom after finding him outside on the jungle gym. This book is written in poetic form, with many great rhymes and other poetic devices throughout the book. This is a great book for introducing students to poetry, while also engaging them in a story that they can relate to and can imagine and visual as they read. This book would make a great read aloud for younger grade levels and would be able to generate great conversation for younger students regarding how this book is written differently than others that they are used to reading. Overall, I would definitely recommend this as a fun read aloud or a way of introducing poetry!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book based on the title, but then my five-year-old son and I read it and -- Blah.

This is one of those instances where I wish the author had just scrapped the rhyming scheme and either made the book an easy reader for beginning readers or made a hilarious and sweet picture book (or, ideally, both). The author managed neither.

And the illustrations are of my least favorite variety.

[Shelby Dains · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be an awesome activity for a kindergarten class to read together. I think it could go along with a writing activating on a class pet and what their dream class pet would be. I thought the pictures were great and very colorful to keep the readers attention. I however thought it was a little weird to bring a random cat into a kinder class room (or any for that matter) but I guess there are a lot of weird stories. Overall I thought it was a really good book!

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 4-year old really liked this rhyming book about a cat who was found outside so now it lives in the kindergarten class room. My child thought it was hilarious that they named the cat Tinker Toy and he loved how the cat answered questions ("Her favorite foods are a mouse and a bird. Can you name this critter?" "ME-ow" Tinker purred.)

[Michael Duffey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a stray kitty that a Mrs.Bigbuttons finds. She and her adopt that kitten and it becomes apart of the class. The book is intended to be for grades PreK-1st. I would connect this book to the Language arts curriculum because it contains rhyming words. I liked the book because it was fun to read. Though the artwork was missing something to me.

[Bvlmc Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost and adapted by a kindergarten class, this lucky cat finds a home where he can show off his knowledge to the delight of the children who all vie for his attention throughout a busy day at kindergarten. The delightful illustrations will leave you feeling cozy and warm as you read through this story in rhymed verse.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I think it had a underlying message of how we need to take care of animals. I like how in the book the teacher said that the cat was a part of the class. The illustrations were really cute in this one too. I would like to read this in my classroom one day because it is a really cute book.

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book but a school today would never allow a cat or kitten as a class pet. Special permission has to be obtained to have any animal in the classroom in my district. The air quality folks would have a fit.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have become one of "those people" who gets annoyed by books that miss a gigantic detail.

Kids would love it if they could have a cat in their room. But some of us are allergic!


That said, it's not my favorite J. Patrick Lewis but it is cute. Kids will like it.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

No classroom should be without one.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little read for back-to-school. Nice rhyming text--good R2R, cat story, kindergarten.

[Candida · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for cats storytime!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read for kindergarten.

[Kimmie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and yes I am a cat person-I like modern approach to illustrations, names, rhymes-could be nice for cat story time

[Luann Schindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute rhyming book about a kindergarten class that adopts a stray cat. My 4-year-old grandson is going to love this!

[Dianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

High interest for kids who like cats and kindergarten. But I couldn't handle the things done to meter and grammar.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, rhyming story and large cartoon illustrations make this a good book for sharing with a group.