Rich Cat, Poor Cat

by Bernard Waber

Scat, a stray cat, has a difficult life. It is hard for Scat to find food, shelter and love. Scat's hardships are compared to a variety of other cats, all who have homes.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Social Issues

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Bernard Waber was the youngest in a creative family. At age 8, he ushered in a movie theater after school, so he often saw only the last ten minutes of a movie. He made a game of inventing beginnings and middles. When he returned from a tour of duty in World War II, he entered the Philadelphia College of Art. With a diploma and a new wife, he traveled to New York City, where he began working for the Condé Nast magazines as an illustrator. Reading books to his three children inspired him to apply his pen and ink and watercolor style to his own picture books. His first book, Lorenzo, was built in 1961. Today, his characters are some of the most beloved in the library. He and his wife, Ethel, live on Long Island.

Reviews

[Georgia Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books can make us readers for life. Some might even make us writers. They can make us good or bad. They can inspire us. Right?

Well, next time you reach for a book for a child consider this: some books can make us art lovers for life. Some might even make us artists.

This is vintage gold when it comes to illustrations. The cover doesn't really give it away. Inside its 48 pages is a simplistic story with just a few words. No rhymes. A bit of nice repetition. That's all. Its richness is in the ink drawings. Bernard Waber's strokes blur just the right amount to give it energy.
Color is used liberally in some illustrations or an entire double page is black ink with a single shade of green used to bring it life. You can imagine Waber's brushes waving, flicking, and dabbing the canvas. There's a hint of old New Yorker cartoons on some pages. On other pages, you might think a child drew it.

That's the inspiring part. A child out there might just think "I can do that." And try. Or grow up one day to collect art.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one never gets old. It's the timeless story of a cat who longs for something more in life than the streets of the big city.

[Blane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The watercolor/magic marker-colored vintage late 1960s graphics were nothing short of amazing, while the basic story of the contrasts between a cat with a home and a homeless cat actually choked me up (a cat-loving softie) a bit. Like the best children's books, this one can be read and interpreted on multiple levels: A simple surface story of two very different cats is one. Another makes a case for treating cats (and all creatures, really) with compassion...everyone wants love. Still another makes a case for adopting "homeless" cats. As a 49-year old man, I also read it on another level: That of the "haves" and the "have-nots" in our society, especially relevant as I write this near the end of 2011 & in the midst of the Occupy movement here in the US. Thanks for the recommendation Heather!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book from my childhood that my mother was getting rid of; so I grabbed it and absorbed it into my own library. :D

I loooooove reading this to my cats. They *never* get that they should be happy they aren't Scat, instead they want to be one of the rich cats.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

MADE ME TEAR UP

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute payoff, but a bit long and repetitive. The illustrations are good and are worthy of a more sophisticated story.

[Min · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hidden treasure. The title gives it all away. We follow the life of Scat, a stray cat. One page tells about the life of a rich cat, then follows how Scat's life is different. Never fear, she finds a home. and is named Gwendolyn.

[Sylvia Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a kid. The book helps teach children the importance of family and adopting shelter pets.

[Arianddu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this book well from my own childhood, and always felt sorry for Scat and relieved that she found a loving home by the end. My mother referred to it when I was being a brat with little empathy for two girls in the neighbourhood who were neglected at home, and bullied at school for their unbrushed hair, neglected personal hygiene and rarely clean clothes. As an adult, it seems dehumanising to refer to two children as being like a stray cat, but it made me understand that their problems weren't of their own making - some little girls, like some cats, have nice homes and clean clothes and people who care for them, and some girls don't. At five, adopting two stray kids was beyond me, but some empathy wasn't, and if I couldn't fix their lives, I could at least not be a mean person metaphorically shooing them away with a "scat!"
We moved away not long after. I can't even remember their names (we're talking more than 40 years ago!) but I still remember them, and I hope that something happened to change their lives for the better.

[☁︎ ☾ ｡⋆ morgan ⋆｡☽ ☁︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"most cats are somebody's cat. Scat is nobody's cat."

Rich Cat, Poor Cat is a relic of its time. the vintage 1960s colored marker illustrations mixed with a simple but genuinely sweet story are everything to me. loved it! this book is a reminder to adopt not shop folks <3

"they took Scat to their house. gave her dinner... and a bed with a pillow. and they named her Gwendolyn."

shut up. i'm crying.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rich story about socioeconomics in the lives of cats. Scat the cat wishes to find the other side of alley when it comes to security and equity, but life in the city as a stray doesn't come easily. Scat just wants to be taken care of instead of always having to scrimp in order to get by, by himself. Really good at learning socioeconomic statuses, in cats. And Waber's illustrations are always unique and visually appealing to look at.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contrasts the lives of pampered pet cats with a street cat who is desperately wishing for a home. While the fantasy element gets a little silly sometimes (cats who go on fabulous European vacations), it is a reminder that stray pets need love, too. The ending is very sweet and happy.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't understand why this book isn't ubiquitous. It's 60 now, but it still feels fresh. Waber is strong at presenting a fine story for a literal read that is also really great as a metaphor. Also, there's just something so appealing in illustrations of sixties New York City.

Personal copy

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic picture book about a street cat.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the heroine of the story. Artwork has that great mid century abstractness to it

[Chelsea Counsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, with fun illustrations that really have a lot going on in them. Glad poor cat gets a home.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found an ancient damaged copy of this book in a Little Free Library and love the artwork so I brought it home. The drawings are delightful and the ending is truly sweet.

[NY-DOGWALKER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of the late children’s author Bernard Waber. This book is one of my favorites. I will not say much in my review, because I do you not want to give away any of the wonderful storyline. It is a incredibly creative story that will warm your heart, even more so if you are a cat person and/or have rescued a cat. This book will not disappoint.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a extremely sad/funny children's book about a homeless cat named Scat (because that's what everyone yells at it) ... I love it but I'd never read it to a child!!! (in the end, the cat gets adopted and is renamed Gwendolyn)

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/...

[Lynetta Simington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Kitty Cat Classic

Every tender-hearted animal lover child will love this book. Adults too. The illustration is as great as the story. Excellent.