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Only the Cat Saw
As Amy and her family get ready to settle down for the night, the cat gets ready to explore and sees many things.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 9, 2012
Oh, how I love this little book!!! First and foremost because that very handsome, inquisitive and observant orange tabby cat reminds me so much of my beloved childhood cat--bib and all ;-) This is such a gentle, lovely story about a busy and loving family and their nighttime activities, like finishing dinner and getting ready for bed; they are so absorbed in one another and what they are doing that they don't notice many of the beautiful things happening outside, "only the cat saw." Some of the family's activities are just so true-to-life, like the little girl getting up to use the potty during the night, or the mom getting up early in the morning to nurse the baby--I appreciated that aspect. I loved all the illustrations of the cat enjoying and exploring in nature. The end is very sweet and I love that the cat can come inside and be cozy, too. I recommend this to most cat lovers (with the caveat that if you do not like cats to be outdoors, then this probably isn't the book for you), especially if you adore orange cats like I do :-> This is one book I'll be adding to my personal collection.
July 10, 2012
Oh, I just love this charming picture book, heavy on pictures.
And what a lovely surprise. At my public library we can request books to be sent to the branch of our choice, so I’m always reading books from the main library and many branches, all sent to my branch. The copy of the book I received is from the Chinatown branch AND when I turned to the title page, it’s obvious the author-illustrator was there, probably reading to children. The book is autographed by the author “For the readers at the Chinatown Library with best wishes. Ashely Wolff 1991” AND there’s a wonderful ink illustration of a cat right below her writing. Very cool!
This is a fabulous read aloud book; it’s so much fun to turn the page to see what will be there. There is little text and the font is big, so early readers can also enjoy reading this book for themselves. I loved the orange kitty. Even though this cat and its family obviously live on a farm in a rural area, ½ star off from me for this cat being an indoor-outdoor cat, even though the cat seems safe and definitely seems very content.
I loved the illustrations. They are perfection. They take up a full page or two full pages in some cases.
I loved every page.
I loved how unusual scenes are shown, such as little Amy going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and the mother breastfeeding Amy’s baby brother Sam. My favorite page was the one with which I most identified, Amy, supposed to be asleep reading with her flashlight under the covers. This is a loving and interesting family. All the cat sees is wonderful; I loved all the animals, but fell in love with the orange cat. And there is a wonderful last page, perhaps not entirely unexpected and not really a twist, but definitely a great ending to the simple story.
I love how the nocturnal nature of cats is shown. (I know when I visit friends with cats I tend to get very little sleep. When they ask for attention in the middle of the night, they get it from me.)
Except for the potential danger to the cat while out of doors there is nothing I don’t love about this book.
4 ½ stars
And what a lovely surprise. At my public library we can request books to be sent to the branch of our choice, so I’m always reading books from the main library and many branches, all sent to my branch. The copy of the book I received is from the Chinatown branch AND when I turned to the title page, it’s obvious the author-illustrator was there, probably reading to children. The book is autographed by the author “For the readers at the Chinatown Library with best wishes. Ashely Wolff 1991” AND there’s a wonderful ink illustration of a cat right below her writing. Very cool!
This is a fabulous read aloud book; it’s so much fun to turn the page to see what will be there. There is little text and the font is big, so early readers can also enjoy reading this book for themselves. I loved the orange kitty. Even though this cat and its family obviously live on a farm in a rural area, ½ star off from me for this cat being an indoor-outdoor cat, even though the cat seems safe and definitely seems very content.
I loved the illustrations. They are perfection. They take up a full page or two full pages in some cases.
I loved every page.
I loved how unusual scenes are shown, such as little Amy going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and the mother breastfeeding Amy’s baby brother Sam. My favorite page was the one with which I most identified, Amy, supposed to be asleep reading with her flashlight under the covers. This is a loving and interesting family. All the cat sees is wonderful; I loved all the animals, but fell in love with the orange cat. And there is a wonderful last page, perhaps not entirely unexpected and not really a twist, but definitely a great ending to the simple story.
I love how the nocturnal nature of cats is shown. (I know when I visit friends with cats I tend to get very little sleep. When they ask for attention in the middle of the night, they get it from me.)
Except for the potential danger to the cat while out of doors there is nothing I don’t love about this book.
4 ½ stars
April 3, 2020
A family go about their usual evening and nighttime routine in this lovely picture-book, while their nocturnal cat observes the many beauties that they are missing. As the family eat supper, the cat watches the sunset. While the baby of the family is given his bath, the cat plays outside with fireflies. And when bedtime comes for the humans, the cat is busy observing the local wildlife. Until the very end, when the exhausted feline drops off to sleep in the morning, only the cat sees what is happening all around...
With a simple text and beautiful artwork - the book alternates between full-page color illustrations of the family, with text on the facing page, and two-page text-less paintings featuring the cat - Only the Cat Saw is a real treat for cat-lovers young and old. Ashley Wolff captures one marmalade kitty's watchful curiosity (and his many poses) perfectly here, while the story emphasizes the nocturnal habits of our feline companions. Recommended to all young cat lovers, who are sure to recognize a few things here!
With a simple text and beautiful artwork - the book alternates between full-page color illustrations of the family, with text on the facing page, and two-page text-less paintings featuring the cat - Only the Cat Saw is a real treat for cat-lovers young and old. Ashley Wolff captures one marmalade kitty's watchful curiosity (and his many poses) perfectly here, while the story emphasizes the nocturnal habits of our feline companions. Recommended to all young cat lovers, who are sure to recognize a few things here!
July 30, 2020
Delightful story encouraging us to notice things happening throughout the night and imagining what a cat might notice all night long. I especially appreciate how Wolff’s new illustrations show a biracial family and a father actively involved in the family’s routines. A lovely pre-K story that would also work for 2nd grade writers noticing small moments in ordinary life.
June 27, 2020
Filled with the warmth of family and simple, daily life, this book shows that there's always something magical happening even when no one is watching.
A family goes through their daily life from evening to the next morning, eating, getting ready for bed and sleeping through the night. While the individual members are busy with their usual activities, the cat witnesses what goes on outside of the house. The wonders of nature are brought to life as the cat alone witnesses each event.
When I picked up this one, I was expecting a little more pizzazz, excitement or, at least, catching moments. Instead, this is a very gentle book, which hits upon the beauty of life. The family consists of a father, mother, older sister and a baby brother. They present a wholesome image as they conduct their meals, getting ready for bed, and then try to sleep through the night...which does have a couple very calm interruptions. The images and atmosphere is very loving, which offers the perfect background for the cat as it goes on its own adventure outside and witnesses sunsets, fireflies and other 'magical' moments.
The illustrations are lovely. While the home scenes carry many familiar things and present the family in a wonderful light, the scenes with the cat are simply beautiful. It flows right along with the text, which is perfect for the intended age group and never ways too heavy.
In these pages, it's shown that while we go about our usual lives, many wonderful things are happening, which we don't even notice. It encourages listeners to take occasional pauses and take a peek outdoors to see what they might miss out on otherwise. It's a calming book, great to read before nap time or bed time. While it might not become a favorite, it's one of those books that can easily be picked up, quickly read, and enjoyed.
I received an ARC and found this to be a nice read, especially for calm reading times.
A family goes through their daily life from evening to the next morning, eating, getting ready for bed and sleeping through the night. While the individual members are busy with their usual activities, the cat witnesses what goes on outside of the house. The wonders of nature are brought to life as the cat alone witnesses each event.
When I picked up this one, I was expecting a little more pizzazz, excitement or, at least, catching moments. Instead, this is a very gentle book, which hits upon the beauty of life. The family consists of a father, mother, older sister and a baby brother. They present a wholesome image as they conduct their meals, getting ready for bed, and then try to sleep through the night...which does have a couple very calm interruptions. The images and atmosphere is very loving, which offers the perfect background for the cat as it goes on its own adventure outside and witnesses sunsets, fireflies and other 'magical' moments.
The illustrations are lovely. While the home scenes carry many familiar things and present the family in a wonderful light, the scenes with the cat are simply beautiful. It flows right along with the text, which is perfect for the intended age group and never ways too heavy.
In these pages, it's shown that while we go about our usual lives, many wonderful things are happening, which we don't even notice. It encourages listeners to take occasional pauses and take a peek outdoors to see what they might miss out on otherwise. It's a calming book, great to read before nap time or bed time. While it might not become a favorite, it's one of those books that can easily be picked up, quickly read, and enjoyed.
I received an ARC and found this to be a nice read, especially for calm reading times.
July 28, 2020
Regardless of their speed, they move in silence. They were revered in ancient cultures, elevated to roles as deities. They have intermingled and lived with humans for thousands of years, yet they are said to be aloof. Those humans who share their days with them often disagree with this assessment as does a recent scientific study. They find them to be the best kind of companions.
Our feline friends are beloved for a multitude of reasons; perhaps one is their ability to notice what others do not. In 1985, thirty-five years ago, author illustrator Ashley Wolff published a book titled Only the Cat Saw (Dodd, Mead & Company). (I was able to obtain a paperback copy released by Puffin Books in November 1988.) In this book, as a family goes about end-of-the-day and nighttime routines inside their home, their cat makes its own observations of the outside world.
After making a gift of this original edition to her editor of ten years, Ashley Wolff was requested to update the images for a republication. Most of the text remains the same with the exception of a name change and the concluding sentences which add an exquisite enchantment to the story. All the illustrations, the paintings, are new, supplying readers with enhanced perspectives and a diverse family. One thing remains wonderfully the same. This book, Only The Cat Saw (Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, June 16, 2020) written and illustrated by Ashley Wolff, is a classic calming ode to our world at day's end and during an nighttime rain shower, inside and outside a home.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
Our feline friends are beloved for a multitude of reasons; perhaps one is their ability to notice what others do not. In 1985, thirty-five years ago, author illustrator Ashley Wolff published a book titled Only the Cat Saw (Dodd, Mead & Company). (I was able to obtain a paperback copy released by Puffin Books in November 1988.) In this book, as a family goes about end-of-the-day and nighttime routines inside their home, their cat makes its own observations of the outside world.
After making a gift of this original edition to her editor of ten years, Ashley Wolff was requested to update the images for a republication. Most of the text remains the same with the exception of a name change and the concluding sentences which add an exquisite enchantment to the story. All the illustrations, the paintings, are new, supplying readers with enhanced perspectives and a diverse family. One thing remains wonderfully the same. This book, Only The Cat Saw (Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, June 16, 2020) written and illustrated by Ashley Wolff, is a classic calming ode to our world at day's end and during an nighttime rain shower, inside and outside a home.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
June 9, 2025
This is a beautiful, gentle book that is very peaceful to read with your child. The pictures are brilliant, simple and wonderful all at the same time. About the nocturnal habits of cat that sees so many things throughout the nighttime that we don't see. The words are few and simple and it is a great book to stop and talk about what you are seeing on each page, or what the cat is seeing. I really love the gentle, normal everyday beauty that this book helps us see, but Only The Cat Saw. It makes me want to spend a night going where the nocturnal creatures go.
October 13, 2020
This picture book goes back and forth between a family's nighttime routines and what their cat is seeing and experiencing as night falls. This is beautifully illustrated and engaging, and is a great read whether someone likes cats or not.
One thing that parents should know is that this book includes an illustration of the mother breastfeeding her baby during the night. Nothing about this is revealing, and I think that it is a sweet part of the book, but because this could raise unanticipated questions from little kids, I thought it was worth bringing up.
One thing that parents should know is that this book includes an illustration of the mother breastfeeding her baby during the night. Nothing about this is revealing, and I think that it is a sweet part of the book, but because this could raise unanticipated questions from little kids, I thought it was worth bringing up.
August 10, 2024
It's good to have books around that the kid will read to you.
January 14, 2016
I've been reading this to the kids before bedtime and I love this story for so many reasons:
It's about a cat and I do love cats
I love the story telling, my daughter already asks about "Amy"
I love the wordless pages so I can tell my own story describing what the cat saw, and I can have the kids pick out objects they see and tell me what the cat saw
I love any book that shows a mom nursing her baby
And I also love the illustrations and the fact they live on a farm and it's sort of idyllic, simple, and safe.
It's about a cat and I do love cats
I love the story telling, my daughter already asks about "Amy"
I love the wordless pages so I can tell my own story describing what the cat saw, and I can have the kids pick out objects they see and tell me what the cat saw
I love any book that shows a mom nursing her baby
And I also love the illustrations and the fact they live on a farm and it's sort of idyllic, simple, and safe.
September 22, 2013
Throughout the evening and the night, everyone in the family was preoccupied (or asleep) so that "only the cat saw" many wondrous sights—the sunset, the lightning bugs, the owl and the mouse, the shooting star, the lightning, and the sunrise. But in the morning, when the cat is sound asleep, only Amy saw . . . A perfect picture book--I loved the illustrations and the surprise ending.
July 25, 2012
Sweet picture book with beautiful illustrations that show "what the cat saw" when everyone else was busy. A reminder to pause every now and again and enjoy the wonderful things going on around us that we might be missing.
July 18, 2020
If you love cats, here is another picture book exploring the mysterious world of what cats see and do. I enjoyed the alternating wordless spreads of the cats adventures and the family's everyday life. DH read this with Mister before bed, and Mister had fun pointing things out. Definitely a great way to explore a book or take a picture walk for those for are working on their pre-emergent literacy skills.
The illustrations have many lovely, homey touches that I appreciated: the mother was up nursing the baby, the daughter woke up to go potty, everybody was reading, and the dad was the one feeding the baby. Small, quiet, thoughtful, everyday details that you might not notice, but that all add up to tiny triumphs overall in life. I am grateful that they were there, and that Wolff took the time and thought to show them in the book. Not every children's picture book shows a daddy feeding the baby. A small thing, but it models loving behavior that little boys need to see.
There are all sorts of sights in the illustrations that might not be familiar to many people (haha, we aren't cats, so I guess most of these sights will be unfamiliar to many people). Usually farms in children's picture books are the run-of-the-mill cow, horse, chicken, pig, goat, duck type. A sheep farm isn't what comes to mind right away. Having both a cat and an owl chase a mouse? That was unusual! Having the cat bed down with the sheep? Okay. Having the cat bed down ON the sheep? Brilliant.
The illustrations have many lovely, homey touches that I appreciated: the mother was up nursing the baby, the daughter woke up to go potty, everybody was reading, and the dad was the one feeding the baby. Small, quiet, thoughtful, everyday details that you might not notice, but that all add up to tiny triumphs overall in life. I am grateful that they were there, and that Wolff took the time and thought to show them in the book. Not every children's picture book shows a daddy feeding the baby. A small thing, but it models loving behavior that little boys need to see.
There are all sorts of sights in the illustrations that might not be familiar to many people (haha, we aren't cats, so I guess most of these sights will be unfamiliar to many people). Usually farms in children's picture books are the run-of-the-mill cow, horse, chicken, pig, goat, duck type. A sheep farm isn't what comes to mind right away. Having both a cat and an owl chase a mouse? That was unusual! Having the cat bed down with the sheep? Okay. Having the cat bed down ON the sheep? Brilliant.
January 28, 2021
A family is very busy fixing dinner, so only the cat saw the sunset; during bathtime indoors, the cat was outside playing with the fireflies; while Sam was reading under his covers, the cat watched an owl chase a mouse; the cat also saw shooting stars, a rainstorm, and the sunrise. No wonder he sleeps all day!
Ashley Wolff's illustrations are beautiful! What a delightful concept. The cover picture of the cat with a mesmerizing gaze caught my eye right away and the stunning illustrations inside did not disappoint.
Crossposted to https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Ashley Wolff's illustrations are beautiful! What a delightful concept. The cover picture of the cat with a mesmerizing gaze caught my eye right away and the stunning illustrations inside did not disappoint.
Crossposted to https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
November 7, 2021
Mom, Dad, sister, and baby are all busy throughout the evening, which explains why there are so many small miracles that only the cat sees. But sometimes the cat isn't the only one to notice these everyday wonders.
My photography professor once told me that the world is full of unnoticed things. Just because a thing isn't remarked upon doesn't make it any less amazing. I love the way this book shows off little snippets of everyday wonder. It doesn't make me feel guilty, however, as it recognizes that eating meals and taking baths and reading books are all important activities. But it's OK to take a break just to look and listen and feel every now and again too.
My photography professor once told me that the world is full of unnoticed things. Just because a thing isn't remarked upon doesn't make it any less amazing. I love the way this book shows off little snippets of everyday wonder. It doesn't make me feel guilty, however, as it recognizes that eating meals and taking baths and reading books are all important activities. But it's OK to take a break just to look and listen and feel every now and again too.
June 24, 2020
(early) 06.22.2020: per Berea Clerk Supervisor (DaJa) recommendation to my spouse…; 06.24.2020: described best in the book as “when Tessa and her family get ready to settle down for the night, the cat gets ready to explore and see many things”; very nice artistic work as well; the story is cute (but I won’t spoil the ending); 2020 hardback via Madison County Public Library, Berea, unnumbeed pgs.;
October 6, 2020
Sweet book about a yellow tabby cat and its human family. Read as the family follows a daily routine and the cat sets out for adventure and observation. A touching book showing everyday life with human/animal interaction from both points of view. A good "read & discuss" book for adults and their children. llm
November 23, 2020
This book is fairly simple but quite lovely. I like how it just shows everyday activities (setting out dinner together, a little girl reading in bed, a mother breastfeeding in the night, etc.) and also shows the simple but beautiful things which we sometimes miss (the sun setting, a night time thunder storm, a shooting star).
June 4, 2022
Felt like this book was trying to make me feel guilty that I’m missing seeing things when in reality the cat wasn’t even seeing the even more beautiful moments in life (the family having dinner/working together/bathing babies, etc.) so this book was more meta for me than I think it even meant to be.
August 18, 2019
Sweet story with repeating lines that would be ideal for a preschooler. Illustrations allow for discussion of the things the cat sees. Lovely illustration including one of an early morning breastfeeding session.
August 28, 2020
I liked how this book introduces children to another point of view. Kids start off egocentric and it's hard for them to imagine a world that they aren't in until they are a little older. This book does a great job of demonstrating that from the point of view of the cat.
September 25, 2020
While the family goes about doing their daily and nightly activities, their cat takes the opportunity to explore outside. Beautiful acrylic gouache illustrations are vivid with colors that highlight tender moments with family, and bring life to the playful adventures of a young cat.
April 19, 2021
Ashley Wolff is a beautiful illustrator and story teller. I love how the cat sees all these amazing things at night while the family goes through their nightly routines. And honestly, I am a sucker for cat picture books.
May 9, 2021
Gorgeous illustrations of a family's intimate moments -- a little girl getting up to pee in the middle of the night, a mother breastfeeding in the early morning hours -- and the amazing wide world we can miss sometimes in the busyness of these smaller day to day moments.
February 22, 2022
Love this! Great for a bedtime storytime but also for a storytime about nocturnal animals. I really like the illustrations in this edition. And 5 stars for the breast feeding rep, a thing that so many young children see and experience daily but so rarely see in the books they read!
June 25, 2020
Beautiful paintings and a subtlety inclusive family.
August 6, 2020
So cute!!!
September 1, 2020
Great book with beautiful illustrations. Purrfect for any cat lover.
September 4, 2020
The illustrations are beautiful.
October 8, 2020
That kitty cat is so beautiful <3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews