What do you think?
Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats
Mrs. McTats loves cats -- and they love her too! At first Mrs. McTats has only one cat, Abner, but quickly finds herself in a house bursting with twenty-five! She names each one with a different letter of the alphabet, but stops short at Z. Then there's a scratch on the door. Surprise! Mrs. McTats finds what the family needs to be complete.
32 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2001
About the author
Alyssa Satin Capucilli
326 books173 followersAlyssa Satin Capucilli was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1957. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College, and pursued her interest in dance, becoming a professional dancer and dance instructor. Though Capucilli had written stories, poems, and even puppet shows as a child, she didn't consider a career as a writer until after her own two children were born. To this day she sees herself as both a dancer and a writer, and the two professions complement each other nicely: dancing is, in her words, “telling stories in another way,” and readers of her children's books can attest to the rhythm of her language. Since 1994, she has written more than 15 books for children, and her work has been translated into French, Hebrew, Afrikaans, Greek, and Bulgarian.
Capucilli lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, with her husband and children. They have a chocolate Labrador retriever named Huckleberry, who likes to watch the author at work.
Capucilli lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, with her husband and children. They have a chocolate Labrador retriever named Huckleberry, who likes to watch the author at work.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
June 8, 2010
I just adored this book. Perhaps it wasn’t “amazing” but I really, really liked it and I’m giving it the full 5 stars.
It works as an alphabet book because Mr. McTats’s first cat is named Abner, and as more cats adopt the household, she gives them names that start with B, C, D, and so on, going all the way through the alphabet. The cats’ names end with Yodel, but there is one more surprise creature looking for a home, so all 26 letters of the alphabet are covered.
The illustrations are utterly charming, cozy and colorful. I really like the muted watercolor look and the details in all the pictures. The cottage, community, animals, and Mrs. McTats look warm and welcoming, as befitting the story. The only aspect of the illustrations I didn’t like is that some of the cats look less than appealing; Izzy looks particularly strange to me.
The story rhyme is funny, and Mrs. McTats is so good hearted and welcoming, though I know more than one cat lover who will wince in self-recognition as the household cats multiply.
The story and illustrations work together wonderfully and make for a very enjoyable reading (or listening and viewing) experience.
Thanks to my Goodreads friend Joey for alerting me to this gem of a book.
EDITED TO ADD: I love how both Abner and Zoom go with Mrs. McTats to the market on the final page. And, I'm not sure I'm wild about any of the illustrations of the cats, but taken all together, I like how they look.
It works as an alphabet book because Mr. McTats’s first cat is named Abner, and as more cats adopt the household, she gives them names that start with B, C, D, and so on, going all the way through the alphabet. The cats’ names end with Yodel, but there is one more surprise creature looking for a home, so all 26 letters of the alphabet are covered.
The illustrations are utterly charming, cozy and colorful. I really like the muted watercolor look and the details in all the pictures. The cottage, community, animals, and Mrs. McTats look warm and welcoming, as befitting the story. The only aspect of the illustrations I didn’t like is that some of the cats look less than appealing; Izzy looks particularly strange to me.
The story rhyme is funny, and Mrs. McTats is so good hearted and welcoming, though I know more than one cat lover who will wince in self-recognition as the household cats multiply.
The story and illustrations work together wonderfully and make for a very enjoyable reading (or listening and viewing) experience.
Thanks to my Goodreads friend Joey for alerting me to this gem of a book.
EDITED TO ADD: I love how both Abner and Zoom go with Mrs. McTats to the market on the final page. And, I'm not sure I'm wild about any of the illustrations of the cats, but taken all together, I like how they look.
June 25, 2010
Adorable! This reminds me of a shirt I saw once that had a picture of a kitten starting up with the caption, "Got room for one more?" Even though Mrs. McTats has such a tiny house, she has a huge heart--and she makes room for all the cats who want to live with her! This is a fun story that will please animal lovers and could also serve for an alphabet or counting book. Great fun! Thanks to my GoodReads friend Lisa for alerting me to this one.
"Cats are like potato chips, you can't have just one!" -- Another great T-shirt ;-)
"Cats are like potato chips, you can't have just one!" -- Another great T-shirt ;-)
October 9, 2013
I love this book!! Filled with beautiful illustrations and rhyming verse, this is a wonderful read aloud story for children ages 3 to 7.
This book is also a great tool for teaching the alphabet and counting to 26.
Mrs. McTats has one cat named Abner. Each time she opens the door more cats show up and she takes them inside. Finally, she has 25 cats, each named for a letter of the alphabet. Who will show up and be named after the letter Z??
Not who you think.
Overall, a very cute story young children can enjoy and learn from.
This book is also a great tool for teaching the alphabet and counting to 26.
Mrs. McTats has one cat named Abner. Each time she opens the door more cats show up and she takes them inside. Finally, she has 25 cats, each named for a letter of the alphabet. Who will show up and be named after the letter Z??
Not who you think.
Overall, a very cute story young children can enjoy and learn from.
June 8, 2010
As soon as I saw the cover, I knew I was going to love this book and I wasn't wrong! I was immediately drawn to the illustrations which are adorably sweet and done in soft water colours.
This is the story of Mrs. McTats, who lives in a small cottage with her cat Abner. As the story goes on, more and more cats find their way to Mrs. McTats cottage where she always manages to find room for them and welcomes them into her home. The cats are all named in alphabetical order, from Abner to Yodel but 25 cats later, Mrs. McTats feels like there's still something missing. Finally there's a scratch at the door and in walks Zoom the puppy.
Now in that small cottage
lives Mrs. McTats,
all happy and cozy with her
twenty-five cats...
and one little puppy,
who's known as Zoom,
in a small, cozy cottage
with plenty of room.
Needless to say, I adored this sweet story. The illustrations are just too cute for words and I loved all the uniquely drawn cats. A great ABC and counting book and the rhyming text has a perfect easy to follow flow to it. <3
This is the story of Mrs. McTats, who lives in a small cottage with her cat Abner. As the story goes on, more and more cats find their way to Mrs. McTats cottage where she always manages to find room for them and welcomes them into her home. The cats are all named in alphabetical order, from Abner to Yodel but 25 cats later, Mrs. McTats feels like there's still something missing. Finally there's a scratch at the door and in walks Zoom the puppy.
Now in that small cottage
lives Mrs. McTats,
all happy and cozy with her
twenty-five cats...
and one little puppy,
who's known as Zoom,
in a small, cozy cottage
with plenty of room.
Needless to say, I adored this sweet story. The illustrations are just too cute for words and I loved all the uniquely drawn cats. A great ABC and counting book and the rhyming text has a perfect easy to follow flow to it. <3
June 9, 2019
Mrs. McTats lived very happily with her cat Abner, in a small cozy cottage on the outskirts of her village. Every morning she would go to market, and every day she would prepare their meal. And then came a scratching at the door, and Basil and Curly walked in. Was there room for two more cats? Of course - the more the merrier! Then the next day, three more cats showed up on the doorstep... and then more after them! Just how many felines was too many...?
As a confirmed cat-lover, one who thinks of "cat lady" as a compliment, I really expected to adore Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats, but somehow, despite its obvious virtues, I just couldn't take it entirely to heart. I think this tale of Mrs. McTats and her growing feline family will probably be very engaging for younger readers, who will enjoy hearing it read aloud, but it didn't do much for me. The illustrations by South African artist Joan Rankin, on the other hand, were quite charming - I loved Abner's dubious expression throughout! I wavered on my star rating with this one, but my enjoyment of the artwork, and my consciousness that I may not have been in the right mood for it, had me settling on three, rather than two stars. Recommended to young cat lovers, and to readers looking for stories that can also be used to introduce the alphabet.
As a confirmed cat-lover, one who thinks of "cat lady" as a compliment, I really expected to adore Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats, but somehow, despite its obvious virtues, I just couldn't take it entirely to heart. I think this tale of Mrs. McTats and her growing feline family will probably be very engaging for younger readers, who will enjoy hearing it read aloud, but it didn't do much for me. The illustrations by South African artist Joan Rankin, on the other hand, were quite charming - I loved Abner's dubious expression throughout! I wavered on my star rating with this one, but my enjoyment of the artwork, and my consciousness that I may not have been in the right mood for it, had me settling on three, rather than two stars. Recommended to young cat lovers, and to readers looking for stories that can also be used to introduce the alphabet.
October 20, 2009
Part of what makes this one fun is the suspense factor--which you can really play up. Will Mrs. McTats keep just 3 more cats? Six more? It's also fun to see how long it takes them to figure out that it IS an ABC book--and a counting book. If Mrs. McTats only had one cat to begin with, hears a scratch on the door, and five more cats come in, how many cats does she have? Watching the kids' expressions as they start adding up the number of critters is almost as fun as their expression at the surprise 26th visitor. This story is great as a read-aloud for kids K-2, and keeping 2nd graders interested in ABC books can be difficult.
January 17, 2014
As we read this book aloud together, I was absolutely sure that I'd read it before, but I hadn't logged it here, so I'm not sure when. Still, it's an entertaining alphabet book featuring a lady with far too many pets.
The rhyming narrative is rhythmic and fun to read aloud, although I felt like it stumbled in a few places (perhaps that was just me.)
The watercolor illustrations have a soft, cozy feel and the different cats are hilarious. We enjoyed reading this book together (and I loved that one of the cats is named Dolly.)
The rhyming narrative is rhythmic and fun to read aloud, although I felt like it stumbled in a few places (perhaps that was just me.)
The watercolor illustrations have a soft, cozy feel and the different cats are hilarious. We enjoyed reading this book together (and I loved that one of the cats is named Dolly.)
March 29, 2010
Oh the laughter as we read this at the library! And then the re-reads when we checked it out and brought it home. Charming and funny illustrations of Mrs. McTats who keeps adopting cats. As they show up on her doorstep each day and she names them alphabetically, from Abner to Oscar to Yodel and finally, a puppy named Zoom, her household gets more and more cheerfully crowded.
April 29, 2022
Mrs McTat begins with her solitary cat, Abner. But as time goes by, other cats begin scratching at her door to gain entry and she lets them in until she has a household full of cats.
She was fortunate in that her single cat was named Abner because when the next two found their way to her house she named them Basil and Curly and thus began an exercise to complete the alphabet through to Z.
And she succeeded with Dolly, Ernest and Fuzzy quickly following on and then through Sally, Toesie and Ursula to finally finish on Xinnie. By this time she had 25 cats for lunch.
Her only concern was there was no Z but when someone else arrived she had something of a shock but she overcame it and called her new recruit Zoom ... what was it? Well, all I will say it was not a cat!
The quirky cats are well illustrated by Joan Rankin as the illustrations complement the rhyming text very well.
She was fortunate in that her single cat was named Abner because when the next two found their way to her house she named them Basil and Curly and thus began an exercise to complete the alphabet through to Z.
And she succeeded with Dolly, Ernest and Fuzzy quickly following on and then through Sally, Toesie and Ursula to finally finish on Xinnie. By this time she had 25 cats for lunch.
Her only concern was there was no Z but when someone else arrived she had something of a shock but she overcame it and called her new recruit Zoom ... what was it? Well, all I will say it was not a cat!
The quirky cats are well illustrated by Joan Rankin as the illustrations complement the rhyming text very well.
September 19, 2019
I have never had a book represent me more accurately. 😹
July 10, 2022
Fun to read aloud
April 12, 2023
A great one, Kristin, for littles! Fun illustrations, rhyming text, and counting and alphabet learning possibilities.
November 11, 2012
...
(Mommy's review from 7/28/10)
Julia picked this out from the 2010 BookMobile last week. It's so much fun to read we've read it every single day since then. The second her eyes glanced over the cover she reached for it and when she handed it to me and I saw the cover and title I knew it would be good.
I was even more happy when I saw the author was Alyssa Satin Capucilli who is the author of the beloved Biscuit books. The Biscuit series were some of the very first books Julia ever owned that weren't solely picture books. That series will always stay with me because she fell in love with it so fast and so hard.
Joan Rankin did as great a job with the illustrations as Capucilli did with the writing.
As the book goes on Mrs. McTats acquires more and more cats. She just can't turn them away and always thinks that these will be the last to come to her. She continues through the alphabet when naming them also, all the way from Abner to Yodel. All 25 cats are there and accounted for.
At the end of the book something was missing. Luckily, there was a scratch at the door and when Mrs. McTats opened the door what did she find? One little puppy.... named Zoom.
Mrs. McTats cozy little cottage is Julia's dream home and she loves this book. I'm going to have to take a look at Capucilli's other books because if she has this hopefully she has others. Julia's a bit beyond the Biscuit books now at almost five years old but more like this one are certainly welcome!
(Mommy's review from 7/28/10)
Julia picked this out from the 2010 BookMobile last week. It's so much fun to read we've read it every single day since then. The second her eyes glanced over the cover she reached for it and when she handed it to me and I saw the cover and title I knew it would be good.
I was even more happy when I saw the author was Alyssa Satin Capucilli who is the author of the beloved Biscuit books. The Biscuit series were some of the very first books Julia ever owned that weren't solely picture books. That series will always stay with me because she fell in love with it so fast and so hard.
Joan Rankin did as great a job with the illustrations as Capucilli did with the writing.
As the book goes on Mrs. McTats acquires more and more cats. She just can't turn them away and always thinks that these will be the last to come to her. She continues through the alphabet when naming them also, all the way from Abner to Yodel. All 25 cats are there and accounted for.
At the end of the book something was missing. Luckily, there was a scratch at the door and when Mrs. McTats opened the door what did she find? One little puppy.... named Zoom.
Mrs. McTats cozy little cottage is Julia's dream home and she loves this book. I'm going to have to take a look at Capucilli's other books because if she has this hopefully she has others. Julia's a bit beyond the Biscuit books now at almost five years old but more like this one are certainly welcome!
August 22, 2007
Mrs. McTats reminds me of my grandmother who was always bringing home strays. Mrs. McTats, though, is collecting a new cat a day. She starts with her one cat and soon finds herself with 24 others. Each cat gets a name starting with another letter in the alphabet adding to the fun of the book.
What makes this story so charming, though, are the illustrations by Joan Rankin. They are charming water colors and each animal has a distinct personality. The illustrations compliment the fancy names Mrs. McTats gives her new pets.
But wait -- there are 26 letters in the alphabet! What about Z? Z is a dog.
What makes this story so charming, though, are the illustrations by Joan Rankin. They are charming water colors and each animal has a distinct personality. The illustrations compliment the fancy names Mrs. McTats gives her new pets.
But wait -- there are 26 letters in the alphabet! What about Z? Z is a dog.
June 2, 2009
Very cute book with lovely watercolor illustrations. Mrs. McTats lives with her one cat Abner, until other cats start adopting her and she ends up with 24 more. She names them alphabetically starting with Basil and ending with Yodel, but something is missing. She ends up also adopting a puppy called Zoom, bringing the grand total of animals to 26. Recommended for ages 3-7.
February 9, 2012
Mrs. McTats and her houseful of cats is one ABC book I can really get behind! Mrs. McTats finds a cat. So, of course, she names it. Then another, then another. Each cat is alphabetically named until there's 25 cats...and then one more surprise visitor shows up. Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats is a fun, rhythmic read that practically purrs!
June 8, 2013
sensational. it rhymes real good and has lovely pictures of cats. 25 cats in all, and I didn't even realise until the end that they were all being named alphabetically. that's how meta this book is. and its not just alphabet-ing either. there's numbers and adding too.
and then there's the twist at the end with the final entrant into mrs mctats gaff. brilliant
and then there's the twist at the end with the final entrant into mrs mctats gaff. brilliant
September 18, 2013
Mrs McTats has a cozy little cottage and one cat. But soon, more and more cats show up. She names each one in alphabetical order until she is all the way to Yodel, number 25, when there is one more scratch at the door. Zoom isn't a cat, but he's welcome in the cozy cottage all the same.
A cute story that will help kids practice their ABCs and counting skills.
A cute story that will help kids practice their ABCs and counting skills.
December 21, 2008
This is better than Eloise status on my favorite-kidbook list. It makes a great bedtime or anytime story. It uses the crazy cat lady theme to incorporate the alphabet and counting. Great illustrations.
April 23, 2012
I used this book to teach greater than and less than. It is also a great choice for cat lovers. As you read ask students how many more or less. See if they are keeping up and change it up yourself if you like.
July 20, 2012
Mrs. McTats welcomes cats into her home, often in multiples, until she has a total of 25. This book introduces great math vocabulary. The book also encourages students to think about adding to 25 in an unusual but interesting way.
September 12, 2013
Cute story with great illustrations. Great rhyming book, good for predicting the next cat's name, and a lovely surprise ending. My favorite is when a child in the class tells me "that's too many cats for one house"!
September 24, 2007
Of course I can relate to this. It should be entitled "Krista and her Houseful of Cats"!
July 3, 2010
Loved the artwork and the story. And, of course, there is nothing better in the world than a houseful of cats. :)
January 6, 2011
Pretty cute story about an old woman who lives alone and cannot say no to adopting pets. Then along comes a dog.
May 1, 2011
As an aspiring cat lady, I love this story. :) I like that learning the alphabet and counting are hidden in the story as well. Very cute!
July 28, 2012
This book encourages young students to think about adding more than one item at a time while using simple verse of rhyming.
April 26, 2023
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age: K - 5
Illustrations: The pictures were not my favorite they made the cats look weird and scary.
Gist: This story is about Mrs. McTats and her one cats then she goes to store for food for her cat. When she gets home she hears a scratch on the door and 2 more cats walk in, this happens everyday with on cat increase each time until Mrs. MacTat has 25 cats. Than on the final day she hears a scratch on the door, and does not know if she can take one more cat. When she opens the door and finds a dog, and does in fact take it in.
Curriculum Connection: This book would be a great one for counting and also all the names of her cats go in order of the alphabet so you can also talk about the alphabet.
Warning: Mrs. McTat only takes care of her cats all day so this might be a difficult book for some parents.
Age: K - 5
Illustrations: The pictures were not my favorite they made the cats look weird and scary.
Gist: This story is about Mrs. McTats and her one cats then she goes to store for food for her cat. When she gets home she hears a scratch on the door and 2 more cats walk in, this happens everyday with on cat increase each time until Mrs. MacTat has 25 cats. Than on the final day she hears a scratch on the door, and does not know if she can take one more cat. When she opens the door and finds a dog, and does in fact take it in.
Curriculum Connection: This book would be a great one for counting and also all the names of her cats go in order of the alphabet so you can also talk about the alphabet.
Warning: Mrs. McTat only takes care of her cats all day so this might be a difficult book for some parents.
March 7, 2024
Library find.
This book was very cute! We enjoyed the rhythm of reading, the rhyming, and the general story (particularly as cat lovers.)
This book seems wonderful as a read aloud for littles. As each cat is added to the family, their names are given in alphabetical order. PreK can make connections to the number of letters in the alphabet, their order, and their sounds while parents have a fun book that isn’t overly simplistic as many alphabet books go.
My kids are older but I’d definitely recommend for lower elementary.
This book was very cute! We enjoyed the rhythm of reading, the rhyming, and the general story (particularly as cat lovers.)
This book seems wonderful as a read aloud for littles. As each cat is added to the family, their names are given in alphabetical order. PreK can make connections to the number of letters in the alphabet, their order, and their sounds while parents have a fun book that isn’t overly simplistic as many alphabet books go.
My kids are older but I’d definitely recommend for lower elementary.
picture-books
August 15, 2026Date: 05.09.25
Attendees: 77
Theme: Cats
Introduction and announcements: Shake my Sillies Out by Raffi
Book one: Atticus Caticus by Sarah Maizes
Song/rhyme/game one: Great Big Cat
Book two: You Are NOT a Cat! By Sharon G. Flake
Song/rhyme/game two: Action Song by The Singing Walrus
Book three: Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Song/ rhyme/ game three: There’s a Dog in School
Announcements: Stuffie Sleepover
Activity: https://i2.wp.com/abcsofliteracy.com/...
Attendees: 77
Theme: Cats
Introduction and announcements: Shake my Sillies Out by Raffi
Book one: Atticus Caticus by Sarah Maizes
Song/rhyme/game one: Great Big Cat
Book two: You Are NOT a Cat! By Sharon G. Flake
Song/rhyme/game two: Action Song by The Singing Walrus
Book three: Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Song/ rhyme/ game three: There’s a Dog in School
Announcements: Stuffie Sleepover
Activity: https://i2.wp.com/abcsofliteracy.com/...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews