What do you think?
Rate this book
Me and My Cat?
A Freaky Friday for younger kids -- and with an extra twist
Late one night Nicholas sees a witch enter his bedroom and hears her say some magic words. Then the witch leaves without even saying goodbye. When he wakes up the next morning, it doesn't take him long to realize something very strange is going on - especially when he pulls at his whiskers and watches himself go off to school. Whiskers? How confusing! That nasty witch cast the old switcheroo spell on him, and Nicholas has swapped bodies with his cat, Leonardo. Needless to say, quite an unusual day is in store for both Nicholas-inside-Leonardo and Leonardo-inside-Nicholas, and Satoshi Kitamura catalogues their misadventures in fantastically funny pictures.
Late one night Nicholas sees a witch enter his bedroom and hears her say some magic words. Then the witch leaves without even saying goodbye. When he wakes up the next morning, it doesn't take him long to realize something very strange is going on - especially when he pulls at his whiskers and watches himself go off to school. Whiskers? How confusing! That nasty witch cast the old switcheroo spell on him, and Nicholas has swapped bodies with his cat, Leonardo. Needless to say, quite an unusual day is in store for both Nicholas-inside-Leonardo and Leonardo-inside-Nicholas, and Satoshi Kitamura catalogues their misadventures in fantastically funny pictures.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
10 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Satoshi Kitamura
145 books46 followersSatoshi Kitamura was born in 1956. After dropping out of school to pursue art, Kitamura decided not to attempt a 10-year apprenticeship as a potter and instead worked as a graphic artist. He was not trained as an artist, but at the age of 19 began to do commercial work as an illustrator for adverts and magazines. He moved from Tokyo to London in 1979 where he worked mainly at designing greeting cards.
Satoshi Kitamura has won several awards, including the Mother Goose Award, the National Art Library Award from the Victoria and Albert Museum, and a Nestle Children’s Book Prize Silver Medal. He lives in Japan.
Satoshi Kitamura has won several awards, including the Mother Goose Award, the National Art Library Award from the Victoria and Albert Museum, and a Nestle Children’s Book Prize Silver Medal. He lives in Japan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
April 26, 2022
This is the charming story of a boy charmed by a witch by mistake.
One night, just as Nicholas is about to fall asleep, an old woman appears in his room and with words of reproach that poor Nicholas can’t fully understand, bids him goodnight…
Next day all seems the same but it is all very different, for Nicholas soon discovers his mind is inside his cat’s body.
Now, if you think that being a cat is easy, you’re deeply mistaken, and that what Nicholas soon comes to learn, that his cat’s life is full of little difficulties, and bullies, and a great need for adventure that only brings more challenges.
I read this book for the first time as an adult, but I can see how much my younger self, and children in general, would enjoy it.
By day’s end, Nicholas can only wonder how his own cat is doing, inhabiting his body and having to go to school.
The illustrations are amazing! Full of detail and unexpected perspectives. The story has a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming and a very sweet and rewarding ending. I see why this book got so many accolades and why Kitamura is so highly regarded both by writers and illustrators.
One night, just as Nicholas is about to fall asleep, an old woman appears in his room and with words of reproach that poor Nicholas can’t fully understand, bids him goodnight…
Next day all seems the same but it is all very different, for Nicholas soon discovers his mind is inside his cat’s body.
Now, if you think that being a cat is easy, you’re deeply mistaken, and that what Nicholas soon comes to learn, that his cat’s life is full of little difficulties, and bullies, and a great need for adventure that only brings more challenges.
I read this book for the first time as an adult, but I can see how much my younger self, and children in general, would enjoy it.
By day’s end, Nicholas can only wonder how his own cat is doing, inhabiting his body and having to go to school.
The illustrations are amazing! Full of detail and unexpected perspectives. The story has a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming and a very sweet and rewarding ending. I see why this book got so many accolades and why Kitamura is so highly regarded both by writers and illustrators.
December 26, 2016
Really cute and just like freaky Friday for kids LOL
February 12, 2018
3.5
Una historia muy divertida y graciosa, con dibujos bastante agradables que te permiten completar de una forma estupenda lo que se está leyendo.
Muy rápido de leer y muy agradable para pasar 5 minutos cómicos y emocionantes.
Me agrada que las ilustraciones estén muy detalladas y cuiden cada cosa.
Sin embargo siento que solo me pareció tierno, pero no entrañable ni original, pero si lo recomiendo a un público más infantil.
Una historia muy divertida y graciosa, con dibujos bastante agradables que te permiten completar de una forma estupenda lo que se está leyendo.
Muy rápido de leer y muy agradable para pasar 5 minutos cómicos y emocionantes.
Me agrada que las ilustraciones estén muy detalladas y cuiden cada cosa.
Sin embargo siento que solo me pareció tierno, pero no entrañable ni original, pero si lo recomiendo a un público más infantil.
May 12, 2018
a quick fun read before bed 🙂🙂
March 25, 2021
The description says it well, "Freaky Friday for younger kids". What happens when a boy and a cat switch personalities for a day?
October 20, 2019
When a witch climbs into his bedroom late one night and curses him, Nicholas wakes up the next morning in his cat Leonardo's body. Life as a cat seems simple at first, full of naps and jumping, but after getting into some tussles with the neighborhood animals, Nicholas discovers that "Life was as tough and complicated as it was for humans." Things get even worse when Leonardo, in his human body, returns home from school and acts strangely, scaring his mother. Fortunately, the witch visits again that night...
Although author/artist Satoshi Kitamura is Japanese, many of his picture-books appear to have been published first in the UK, where he lived for many years. That is the case with Me and My Cat?, which pairs a hilarious story with entertaining illustrations. I loved the matter-of-fact way the witch climbs in and out of Nicholas' bedroom window, cursing and uncursing. I enjoyed the story itself, with its body-switch plot-line, and I laughed aloud at the surprise ending, when we discover just who the witch's real target was meant to be. Recommended to fans of Kitamura, and to anyone looking for fun, funny and fantastical stories for the picture-book set.
Although author/artist Satoshi Kitamura is Japanese, many of his picture-books appear to have been published first in the UK, where he lived for many years. That is the case with Me and My Cat?, which pairs a hilarious story with entertaining illustrations. I loved the matter-of-fact way the witch climbs in and out of Nicholas' bedroom window, cursing and uncursing. I enjoyed the story itself, with its body-switch plot-line, and I laughed aloud at the surprise ending, when we discover just who the witch's real target was meant to be. Recommended to fans of Kitamura, and to anyone looking for fun, funny and fantastical stories for the picture-book set.
March 31, 2014
I listened to this book online at Storyline Online and it was read by Elijah Wood. The illustrations in the video were very cartoon-like and fun. The illustrations used natural colors, everything was the color that you would expect it to be in real life. The book seems to be for more experienced readers because there are some difficult words in the book. I think that the book is really realistic besides the fact that the boy and cat switch places, but the animals act like I have seen animals actually act. The book is relatable but humorous because the boy and cay switch places.
May 9, 2021
#69 in my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
I really like Kitamura's art. The first person narration detracts from the charm a little: there's a lot of text Less telling, more showing would improve the flow. But that's not a big deal. Cute.
Library copy
I really like Kitamura's art. The first person narration detracts from the charm a little: there's a lot of text Less telling, more showing would improve the flow. But that's not a big deal. Cute.
Library copy
March 14, 2019
This was good fun.
April 3, 2011
The Freaky Friday of books, Nicholas becomes his cat and his cat becomes him. He learns what is it is like to be a cat for a day. I think this book provides an opportunity for students to recognize that they are different and that we will never know what others truly experience in their lives if we do not walk a mile in their shoes.
September 15, 2017
Per my second graders: I liked it because it was funny when the teacher was scratching his head and then fell asleep. It was funny because the mom was dragging him to the bathroom. I liked it because the witch jumped into the window and changed him. I liked it because he learned empathy for his cat.
February 7, 2021
Fantastic! Bought to my attention by my artist and art teacher son, who loved Kitamura’s Tiger in the Attic when he was little and is now enjoying reading his other stories to his daughters.
January 24, 2021
Lindo y divertido
February 1, 2011
This is like Freaky Friday for young children. The cat and boy switch places. The story ends with his teacher and a cat switching places.
I watched this at Storyline Online http://www.storylineonline.net/
Elijah Wood read the book. He suggests that viewers rent this book from the library.
I watched this at Storyline Online http://www.storylineonline.net/
Elijah Wood read the book. He suggests that viewers rent this book from the library.
April 9, 2011
This book could be used as a fun read. Some students sometimes may wish they could be their cat for a day and what a great book this would be for them to read to see some of the things a cat may go through in their day to day life.
February 25, 2015
I truly enjoyed this book in which a boy and his cat switch places. It was funny and thought provoking. I can imagine a child exploring the different aspects to being a cat and laughing at the boy acting like a cat :)
March 26, 2008
This was CUTE! I loved the surprise ending. The author certainly understands cat behavior.
December 14, 2016
El mejor, ever.
July 18, 2023
"Es un mans kaķis" ir japāņu ilustratora un rakstnieka Satoši Kitamura darbs. Viņš ir dzimis Tokijā, bet kādu laiku dzīvoja Londonā. Sākumā vairāki izdevēji autora darbus noraidīja, līdz Klaus Flugge no Andersen Press palūdza ilustrēt Dusmīgo Artūru. Kopš tā brīža viņa viņš ir ilustrējis daudzas savas un citu grāmatas. Satoši ir ietekmējies no komiksiem un bieži savos darbos iekļauj dzīvniekus, visvairāk kaķus.
Stāsts sākas ar to, ka Nikolasa istabā kādu vakaru iekāpa veca sieviete smailā cepurē. Viņa novicināja savu slotu, kaut ko nomurmināja un aizgāja prom. Nikolasam, kā jebkuram bērnam, no rītiem nepatīk celties. Mamma viņu pamodināja, viņš piecēlās, noslaucīja savas ūsas....paga....ūsas? Pieejot pie spoguļa, zēns saprata, ka viņš atrodas sava kaķa ķermenī. Ja jau viņš bija kaķī, vai tas nozīmē, ka kaķis atradās zēna ķermenī?
Jautrs stāsts par to, kas notiek, ja samainās ķermeņos, šoreiz vairāk pievēršot uzmanību zēnam. Prasījās apraksts, kā kaķim gājis skolā. Tas varētu būt jautri. Jebkurā gadījumā Nikolas saprata, ka kaķim būt nav viegli.
Amizants un smieklīgs stāsts. Man ļoti patika ilustrācijas, varēja just komiksa un Japānas pieskārienus. Arī jaunais lasītājs, kas sācis lasīt, pats saviem spēkiem spēs šo grāmatu izlasīt, burti ir lieli, teikumi vienkārši un interesanti. Visu paspilgtina ilustrācijas.
Stāsts sākas ar to, ka Nikolasa istabā kādu vakaru iekāpa veca sieviete smailā cepurē. Viņa novicināja savu slotu, kaut ko nomurmināja un aizgāja prom. Nikolasam, kā jebkuram bērnam, no rītiem nepatīk celties. Mamma viņu pamodināja, viņš piecēlās, noslaucīja savas ūsas....paga....ūsas? Pieejot pie spoguļa, zēns saprata, ka viņš atrodas sava kaķa ķermenī. Ja jau viņš bija kaķī, vai tas nozīmē, ka kaķis atradās zēna ķermenī?
Jautrs stāsts par to, kas notiek, ja samainās ķermeņos, šoreiz vairāk pievēršot uzmanību zēnam. Prasījās apraksts, kā kaķim gājis skolā. Tas varētu būt jautri. Jebkurā gadījumā Nikolas saprata, ka kaķim būt nav viegli.
Amizants un smieklīgs stāsts. Man ļoti patika ilustrācijas, varēja just komiksa un Japānas pieskārienus. Arī jaunais lasītājs, kas sācis lasīt, pats saviem spēkiem spēs šo grāmatu izlasīt, burti ir lieli, teikumi vienkārši un interesanti. Visu paspilgtina ilustrācijas.
November 17, 2019
Me and My Cat by Satoshi Kitamura is a very funny children’s book. It is about a boy who had a witch come into his room and she casts a spell on him and his cat. It is kind of like an odd twist on Freaky Friday. He is trapped in his cats body and his cat is trapped in his body. The boy goes about his day being his cat, and finds out that it is very hard to be a cat, when he imagined it would be easy. That night, the witch comes back, and says she mixed up and the spell was not for him, so she changed things back to normal. The next day at school, however, the boy’s teachers is acting strangely like a cat.
I like this book because it would be very entertaining for children. I could see myself using this book in my classroom anywhere from kindergarten to the fourth grade. This would be the perfect book to show kids how to make inferences, predictions, and draw conclusions. At the end, nowhere does it say that the witch cast the same spell on the teacher, but the readers can infer this. Also, nowhere does it say that the witch is actually a witch, kids have to use prior knowledge based on the description and illustrations to figure this out.
I like this book because it would be very entertaining for children. I could see myself using this book in my classroom anywhere from kindergarten to the fourth grade. This would be the perfect book to show kids how to make inferences, predictions, and draw conclusions. At the end, nowhere does it say that the witch cast the same spell on the teacher, but the readers can infer this. Also, nowhere does it say that the witch is actually a witch, kids have to use prior knowledge based on the description and illustrations to figure this out.
November 7, 2020
"Me and My Cat" is an entertaining little book about a young boy, Nicholas, who switches bodies with his cat when a witch casts a spell on them in the middle of the night. Throughout the next day, Nicholas finds out what it's like to live a day as his cat, Leonardo. He creates a bit of chaos in the house and meets some not-so-friendly neighborhood animals when he's kicked out of the house. The next night, Nicholas and Leonardo are switched back when the witch comes back because she bewitched the wrong person. The next day Nicholas finds his teacher acting like a cat in class.
This read is definitely one focused on pure entertainment rather than any moral lesson. I appreciated how the book kept Nicholas and Leonardo's body swap a secret in the beginning in order to make a dramatic reveal. This and other instances created great opportunities for exciting surprises. The entertainment focus of this book should not immediately remove it from a classroom. I would use this book with my students as a fun brain break. It could even be a great source of gameplay for the children.
This read is definitely one focused on pure entertainment rather than any moral lesson. I appreciated how the book kept Nicholas and Leonardo's body swap a secret in the beginning in order to make a dramatic reveal. This and other instances created great opportunities for exciting surprises. The entertainment focus of this book should not immediately remove it from a classroom. I would use this book with my students as a fun brain break. It could even be a great source of gameplay for the children.
October 2, 2019
"Me and My Cat" by Satoshi Kitamura were about a boy named Nicholas and his cat switching conscious because of an old lady with a pointy hat coming into their room one night. Nicholas lived the whole day living inside the life of a cat and followed the cat daily routine. Nicholas's mom does not know the cat is inside the boy and notices her son acting strangely because of that calls the doctor. The doctor said everything is fine and that her son just needs to rest. On that night the old lady came back and switched back the cat and Nicholas conscious to their original body. Afterward, their life went back to normal. The theme of the book is looking at life from a different perspective. I personally feel the book was decent, I liked the theme but overall it was not too interesting events happening. I would recommend especially to those with pets because courageous pet owners to feel and understand your pet.
November 16, 2019
The story of a boy who ends up switching bodies with his cat. A cute and funny book. I can see kids really enjoying it for its comedy and the relatable feelings the boy has about school. The ending especially wraps the story up in a clean and funny way that was fun to read as an adult as well. The book could be a useful addition to a classroom as well. It could be a great way to introduce students to a lesson on perspective in writing, showing how different characters view things in different ways and don't always realize there is such a difference. It could also be used to discuss that kind of idea of perspectives outside of writing. For example in debates and how opposing parties in an argument shouldn't be fighting just to fight, but that they should have their own arguments fueled by their own perspectives, and the important thing is to understand the other person's perspective.
August 28, 2018
This is a lovely children's book with a funny and unusual story with beautiful, quirky illustrations. The edition I read however seems to be missing the first few pages of the story (an issue with the publishers maybe?)
Overall, I like the humour and creativeness of this book and it's well worth a read.
If, like me, you were unfortunate enough to get a copy of this book missing the first few pages, here's a YouTube link of Elijah Wood reading the full story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDzIS...
Overall, I like the humour and creativeness of this book and it's well worth a read.
If, like me, you were unfortunate enough to get a copy of this book missing the first few pages, here's a YouTube link of Elijah Wood reading the full story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDzIS...
April 11, 2022
A witch casted a spell on a young boy by switching the cat with the boy. The boy (in the cats body) experiences what its like to be a cat. He doesn't think its so bad until he gets in a cat fight and then chased down by the dogs. He didn't realize how challenging it was to be the cat. I think this book is a great way to make students realize different point of views. It makes one realize people have different thoughts and views. They eventually get switched back and the book ends with the teacher acting like a cat. Hopefully they have another book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2023
Solo al leer el autor del cuento me han dado muchas ganas de leerlo y claro no podía dejarlo para después.
Leerlo nos trajo muchos recuerdos de nuestras mascotas.
Se acompaña de ilustraciones muy curiosas y ciertamente con un estilo oriental reconocible.
El cuento narra una situación confusa que se desenlaza como consecuencia de un hechizo y es así como todo se le complica al protagonista.
Muy apto para pequeños de cuatro años en adelante, resulta muy divertido y despierta la imaginación de todos.
Leerlo nos trajo muchos recuerdos de nuestras mascotas.
Se acompaña de ilustraciones muy curiosas y ciertamente con un estilo oriental reconocible.
El cuento narra una situación confusa que se desenlaza como consecuencia de un hechizo y es así como todo se le complica al protagonista.
Muy apto para pequeños de cuatro años en adelante, resulta muy divertido y despierta la imaginación de todos.
September 24, 2023
¿Qué pasaría si en la peli "Un viernes de locos", en vez de cambiar cuerpo con la madre hubiera sido con su mascota? De eso trata básicamente esta historia. Me pareció muy divertida, me reí leyéndolo y disfruté mucho las ilustraciones.
Es ideal para niños que están empezando a leer, seguro también lo encuentren entretenido.
Me da curiosidad saber el nombre de los personajes en su japonés oroginal, estoy prácticamente segura que los nombres de la traducción fueron cambiados a algo más cercano para el público al que está dirigida la historia.
Es ideal para niños que están empezando a leer, seguro también lo encuentren entretenido.
Me da curiosidad saber el nombre de los personajes en su japonés oroginal, estoy prácticamente segura que los nombres de la traducción fueron cambiados a algo más cercano para el público al que está dirigida la historia.
April 24, 2020
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade Range: K-1st
Book Review: This book definitely reminds me of the movie freaky friday. I love how this book opens with the main character not knowing that he had been switched bodies. This book is a fun story about learning what animal world is like through the body of a cat. The illustrations of a human acting like a cat are so funny to see while reading this book.
Grade Range: K-1st
Book Review: This book definitely reminds me of the movie freaky friday. I love how this book opens with the main character not knowing that he had been switched bodies. This book is a fun story about learning what animal world is like through the body of a cat. The illustrations of a human acting like a cat are so funny to see while reading this book.
April 16, 2020
This book has great vocabulary for young children. This book can be used for language and literacy. It can be used for an introduction to play, imagination, and creativity. Young children could have an art activity after reading this story. Children can discuss and create original works of cats, especially cat lovers.
September 27, 2020
The concept of this book is so funny! It's about a boy who lives in his cat's body one day and visa versa. It is silly and playful, definitely one to make kids laugh from year 1 to 6. It does have a deeper meaning that can be explored regarding empathy as the boy suddenly understands that a cat's life has its challenges just like a child's.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews