Is That My Cat?

by Jonathan Allen

“Is that my cat? It can't be. My cat is a slim, sleek pussy cat.” But something's up with this rather large kitty—the same one who used to fit through the cat door, climbed trees fearlessly, and always wanted to play. Now, it takes two hands to pick her up, and now this fussy eater finishes all her food! In true Jonathan Allen style, the story unfolds little by little, page by page—keeping us guessing right until the end, when we get a BIG, happy surprise.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 4, 2014

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story from the mind of Jonathan Allen that allows the young reader to piece things together ahead of an interesting surprise. The young narrator of this children’s book wonders what is going on with his cat. She is no longer spry, does not engage in many activities, and seems to have put on a fair bit of weight. Following this feline closely helps reveal a surprise that every young child will enjoy, though it is sure to bring about a handful of questions at the dinner table that no parent wants to address as they wrestle with their Beef Wellington. Neo is not a pet owner, though I know he likes seeing other people’s animals. I am not sure if he’d track his own pet as closely as the narrator, but can be sure his curiosity would lead to many an interesting discussion.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A re-read for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf. New note beneath the old one.

***

22 January 2015

What was once a sleek little cat is now a big, slow, cautious cat. I felt a little worried that the book was just bashing a kitty for getting older and enormous, because one of ours did that, the tuxedo, Calder Eno, and I wouldn't really enjoy fat cat-bashing. But no, that's not what it was on about at all. And I loved the art, because the tux looks so fluffy and cuddly.

That is perfectly valid art criticism, or I suppose, appreciation.

***

11 October 2021

My cats Queen Luna Grey Delisle and Scarlett Angelina Eno are not looking fat, although they are well into their mature years. They're vexed with me over my choice in cat food. Even the feral stray Luchadora who has learned to come to me for food and water snubbed it. Later I will go shopping.

Scarlett's brother Calder died in January of this year. We all miss him very much. It's lovely to come across a review that mentions the enormity of him. Although it also makes me a bit sad. The gals are less inclined to sleep on top of me, and no weighted blanket is more soothing than a 22 pound cat.

Library copy.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boys quick journey to being a cat hoarder

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always spay or neuter your pets!

[Nalle · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Simplemente hermoso!

[Melle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute-enough picture book about a boy musing what happened to his cat who used to be all these things but is not them any longer. (The cat's pregnancy isn't so much of a surprise as it's alluded to in the jacket flap of the book.) The pregnancy is not overt, and it's sort of like "Hey, what's wrong with my cat?" through most of the book until you come to "Oh, kittens!" Probably good for kids who have a pregnant animal or person in the house and are starting to notice some of the changes.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable little story, and I liked the style of the illustrations.

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 2 out of 5]

What can be wrong with the cat?

[Christine Ridout · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read "Is That My Cat?" to my preschoolers, I was surprised at how successful it was. On the first page is a picture of an enormously fat cat. “Is that my cat?" asks an anonymous little boy. "It can’t be. My cat is a slim, sleek pussycat.” Turn to the next page and a picture of a little boy straining to pick up the fat cat: “Is this my cat? What happened to the light little cat I could pick up with one hand?” Next page: a mouse escaping the cat’s claws: “Is that my cat? No way! My cat is a mighty mouse catcher” And on we go until: “Is that my cat purring in the hall closet?” Door opens: “IT IS MY CAT, and she has kittens. And they’re all my cats.” Lots of fun and many kids related stories about their mothers’ big tummies when they were pregnant with a younger brother or sister.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator asks if this is his cat and then explains that it can't be. The reasons include "my cat is a little cat who leaps in and out" and "my cat is a fussy eater who never finishes her food." The boy discovers that it IS his cat and that she has kittens, which explains her changed behavior and appearance.

A sweet book that cat loving preschoolers will enjoy. My personal quibble is that responsible cat owners should not let their cats accidentally get pregnant. In the words of Bob Barker, have your pets spayed or neutered.

[Serch · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sí, es mi gata y ha tenido gatitos” – Jonathan Allen

Lo confieso, ¡soy fan de los gatos!. Cuando ví este libro entre las novedades de Ediciones Urano no me pude resisitir y lo solicité de inmediato a la editorial.

Se trata de una historia infantil muy corta sobre una gatita que sufrió una pequeña transformación física ante los ojos de un niño. La mascota de la familia quedó embarazada y es momento de explicar al menor que por un tiempo ‘Julie’ (así he llamado a la gata porque al parecer no tiene nombre y me recordó a una minina que tuve hace un par de años) no podrá jugar como antes lo hacía, ni subirá a los árboles y que obviamente no estará tan ligera en su peso.

La edición me gustó mucho, es de tapa dura con sobrecubierta. El tamaño del libro es bastante grande, de tal manera que podrán apreciar las sencillas y coloridas ilustraciones con mayor detalle.

La historia me pareció demasiado simple. Pienso que el embarazo en los animales es un tema al que se le puede sacar mayor provecho y el autor dejó pasar una gran oportunidad de concienciar a los pequeños sobre el trato que dan a sus mascotas en dicho período de gestación. Será labor de los padres de familia reflexionar con sus hijos sobre el tema durante la lectura del libro. De igual manera explicar a los niños los cuidados y atenciones que necesita tanto la gata como sus crías, una vez que hayan nacido.

Si les gustan los gatos, este libro no debe faltar en sus estanterías.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book with a boy and his cat (soon to be catS). I especially like that the cat on the cover looks much like a good friend's cat (though Bones is just a big cat, and as a Tom, is not pregnant). An easy one to make interactive with an audience (Q&A books always are). While not particularly remarkable, it's still a good one for storytimes on pets or cats or babies, or one to read with kids encountering pregnancy (whether in their own pet or in their parents, expecting a new younger sibling).

[Pug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the big, fat tuxedo cat! Reminded me of my big, fat tuxedo Punkin! So I really got a kick out of the book, thinking she was a total spoiled chunky chowhound princess, like her. However, it turns out that the book-cat was just pregnant, and had a litter of colorful kittens. It was cute, but I would have preferred it if she was merely a chowhound!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy notices how much his cat has changed, and wonders to himself is that his cat. His cat is slim, and could fit through its cat flap, climb trees, catch mice, be playful, but this cat he sees are none of those things, but when he sees this cat in the closet, he realizes it is his cat, and she has a surprise for him.

[Mirline Sheridan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book highlighting the changes that occur in a child's cat, but told from the child (cat owner's) perspective.
This book is entirely in Spanish. It was an appropriate choice for me, as I am trying to learn the language.
Appropriate for young ages (5-9) and beginning learners of the Spanish language.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a kitty who doesn't quite look or act like herself.
It's a board book so it takes two minutes to read. Very appropriate for those who are expecting a family expansion.... (spoiler alert!)

[Viridiana Ivashkov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reseña completa: https://goo.gl/MCEgNz

En ¿Es esa mi gata? el autor busca acercar a los niños al tema de la maternidad a través de una historia sencilla e ilustraciones llamativas.

[Bianca Orellana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had an adorable little twist ending!

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a cat who is no longer skinny and playful etc. Then it turns out she has kittens. There was a reason for her extra pounds!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young child keeps pointing out how differnt his cat has become and wondering if that is his cat? Cute ending. very sweet. toddler and up

[Sevi Sather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spay and neuter your pets, people.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son LOVED it.

[Azread · Rating 5 out of 5]

The drawings are cute and i can relate so much. As a cat owner, sometimes when they suddenly do something that they don't usually do, i wonder "Is that my cat?".

[Arely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Está muy bonito, no esperaba ese final.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, perfect book for toddlers & preK kids, with the refrain, "Is that my cat?" with a sweet, surprise ending.

Themes: cats
Ages: toddler-1st grade
Pub year: 2014

[Peyton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book presented nothing new or interesting. It was a very bland story.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Is That My Cat? But I do have to say that I enjoyed it BECAUSE of how it ended. In a way, it is completely silly, but, at the same time, it turns out to be adorable and sweet. A little boy asks "Is That My Cat?" again and again and again. His cat has CHANGED dramatically over the past few weeks. HIS cat was slim and active and so on. This cat is FAT, FAT, FAT. Is it the best book ever on cats? probably not. But was it a cute book about a pregnant cat having kittens? Yes.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that does not seem very good until you get to the end. It just seemed silly that a kid would not recognize his own cat just because it gained weight and became lazy. Then you get to the last couple of pages and realize that the cat is not fat but PREGNANT! It was a nice twist.

[Peacegal · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was published in 2014. Seriously, it's time to stop writing kids' books in which the family pet has a surprise litter. We all know (or should know) by now about spay/neuter, and the huge number of kittens and cats who enter shelters and rescue groups each year. This worn-out storyline is just embarrassing and irresponsible in this day and age.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why is my cat so different from what I remember? This book is a great exploration of the changes the cat goes through and the pride and ownership the child feels when the reason cat is acting so strangely are made clear.