Cat, What Is That?

by Tony Johnston, Wendell Minor (Illustrator)

In all the animal kingdom, it is the cats' regal grace, subtle sophistication, and great depth of personality that put them in a league entirely their own. Just why are cats so special? It is the Peek.
It is the Poke.
It is the Dance
on feet of smoke.
It is the Slink.
It is the Sneak
on velvet toes
stalking the Squeak. Explore the many facets of our feline friends with Tony Johnston's lyrical poetry and award winner Wendell Minor's lush, exquisite paintings. Here is an insider's view of a cat's life for cat lovers of all ages.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Poetry, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.

Reviews

[Kristin Stech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a cat? Do you think it would be different than being a person? Do you think you would like to be a cat for a day, or does that whole litter box thing give you the creeps? In Cat, What Is That? by Tony Johnston with paintings by Wendell Minor, you get to experience what it feels like to be a cat. In this book, you step into the life of a cat on a farm. So much to do. So much to see. Where will you hide? What will you smell, taste, or hear? Will you slink and pounce? Or spend your days watching the goldfish bowl and dreaming of a delicious fish dinner? Will you gaze at the moon? Will you act like a loon? Will you yawn on the lawn, or curl up in a lap for a nap. The rhymes and rhythms of this poetic masterpiece will have you purring like a cat. Get ready, when you read this book you will grow whiskers and a tail and find out just what the world looks like through the eyes of a cat.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are fabulous. The poetry is nice but a bit mature for most kids and choppy to read. I'm not a poetry expert so that's just my opinion. O still enjoyed the book purely because she liked the pictures and loves cats.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I've already read this, but since I can't remember, I'll check it out and read it again! Thanks for the reminder, CLM!

OK, I just re-read it. Very cute! Tony Johnston describes cats in rhyme by what they do and how they act. I loved Wendell Minor's illustrations except for one thing--a cat who is really interested in a mouse should have its whiskers curled forward. I wish I could get a bigger copy of that moon with the cat face--best cat in the moon I've seen yet. Recommended for cat lovers young and old alike.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

anyone can write a poem. what are you passionate about? what is your favorite animal? she wrote about cats. she illustrates their many personalities and interests. she shows us what it feels like when a cat pounces. the students will be encouraged to write their own poems about things they love, in this style or one of their own invention.
this focuses on descriptive words, rhyme, and writing.

[NS - Cami Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appropriate k-2, In this feline-lovers' delight, lyrical poetry pairs with stunning paintings to describe just what makes a cat a cat. Johnston weaves together a series of evocative images, using imagination-stirring verses to describe the mystical wonders, uncanny abilities, changing moods, and simultaneously exasperating and endearing characteristics of these mysterious animals.

[Coral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it's book of poems and not a story, my daughter loves this. The poems do a great job of capturing the different aspects of a cat's personality and the illustrations are very colorful and well done.

[Godine Publisher & Black Sparrow Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wonderful, memorable, luminous – the kind of book that both children and adults will turn to again and again."
– Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, highly detailed and realistic illustrations are paired with haiku-like poetry on the subject of cats.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

My daughter says, "The illustrations are great and very cat-like but the words were pretty hard for me to understand."

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the Spy
licking its chin
waiting all day,
watching the Fin.

Minor's illo is of a cat staring at a goldfish in a bowl.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations in this book. The book was like a poem instead of a story.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn in by the illustrations, but I love the words, too. This one would be fun to read with younger children.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Jar" and "war" don't rhyme, but the author used them as if they do.

[littlemiao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely poetry book with gorgeous paintings of cats in a range of quintessentially feline poses.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I picked this book because I love cats. The illustrations were great.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the dog book better yesterday. This was one long poem, but I thought the smaller poems were more fun with the dogs.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures. Too wordy.