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I Am a Cat
A celebration of both individuality and community, author-illustrator Galia Bernstein’s I Am a Cat is a strong debut that shows we’re all more alike than we think . . . if we look closely enough.
A simple housecat named Simon encounters some bigger Lion, Puma, Panther, Tiger, and Cheetah. Each of the big cats has something to say about Simon not being “cat” enough. According to them, he just doesn’t measure up. He doesn’t have Lion’s mane or Cheetah’s spots. He doesn’t sleep in trees like Panther or climb mountains like Puma. He’s small and fuzzy, not big and strong.
But ultimately, Simon shows the big cats that he’s just like them . . . only smaller.
“Witty language and delightfully bold digital illustrations with hand-painted textures elevate I Am a Cat from a read-once picture book to an experience that children will want to explore multiple times.” —Shelf Awareness (Starred Review)
“An amusing read-aloud for small groups or individual children.” — School Library Journal (Starred Review)
A simple housecat named Simon encounters some bigger Lion, Puma, Panther, Tiger, and Cheetah. Each of the big cats has something to say about Simon not being “cat” enough. According to them, he just doesn’t measure up. He doesn’t have Lion’s mane or Cheetah’s spots. He doesn’t sleep in trees like Panther or climb mountains like Puma. He’s small and fuzzy, not big and strong.
But ultimately, Simon shows the big cats that he’s just like them . . . only smaller.
“Witty language and delightfully bold digital illustrations with hand-painted textures elevate I Am a Cat from a read-once picture book to an experience that children will want to explore multiple times.” —Shelf Awareness (Starred Review)
“An amusing read-aloud for small groups or individual children.” — School Library Journal (Starred Review)
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2018
16 people are currently reading
612 people want to read
About the author
Galia Bernstein
72 books24 followersGalia Bernstein loves animals and has been studying and drawing them since she was two years old. She is the bestselling author of three picture books, which have been published in fifteen languages, and the illustrator of many more. Galia lives in Brooklyn, New York, with a very small dog and a large cat.
I am a Cat (2018)
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I am a Cat (2018)
Leyla (2019)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
January 24, 2019
A young cat called Simon meets some other members of the cat family, a lion, a cheetah, a tiger, a panther and a puma. They do not think that Simon is a cat at first, but after comparing their whiskers, claws, eyes, and tails they realise Simon is a cat, only smaller.
This is a really nice story. The illustrations are wonderful, really beautiful colours and lines, perfect design on each page, the close ups, the symmetry, gorgeous to look at! Highly recommended for those who love beautiful illustrations and a must have for cat lovers!
This is a really nice story. The illustrations are wonderful, really beautiful colours and lines, perfect design on each page, the close ups, the symmetry, gorgeous to look at! Highly recommended for those who love beautiful illustrations and a must have for cat lovers!
February 27, 2018
I wanna snuggle all these cats. Even if one ends up mauling me to death and then eating my carcass. How adorable!
March 18, 2025
I ended up borrowing this from Libby when I was looking for another book by the same name. Though it's just a children's book, I loved it! The drawings were darling and funny. The story is precious and also shares important ideas about belongingness and family, biological and found. It's a lovely little book for little kids and little kids at heart!
October 11, 2021
This is a cute book that teaches children to give more value to similarities than to differences. It also teaches about some of the differences between the big cats. The art is big and has a round childlike quality to it that is pleasing. The words are not necessarily big, but it is a little wordy, so it is better for intermediate readers. I recommend this to animal lovers of all ages, and children ages 6 to 12.
March 31, 2018
I read this book to my cat and he was not impressed, but I really enjoyed it.
February 10, 2019
This is a cute book about the things that make us different... but also the things that make us the same.
Simon is just a housecat. When he tells the bigger cats (Lion, Cheetah, Puma, Panther, and Tiger) that he's a cat just like them, they laugh and proceed to point out all the differences. When Simon calls them out on the fact that they're not all the same themselves, the bigger cats then list all the ways in which they're similar. But those things go for Simon, too, and eventually the bigger cats realize that he's one of them.
The illustrations are really cute. The expressions on the big cats' faces when Simon proclaims he's just like them are pretty funny. There are also some nice pictures showing all the common traits that the cats share.
It's a simple story, but with a nice message about how we have more in common with each other than we might think.
Quotable moment:
Simon is just a housecat. When he tells the bigger cats (Lion, Cheetah, Puma, Panther, and Tiger) that he's a cat just like them, they laugh and proceed to point out all the differences. When Simon calls them out on the fact that they're not all the same themselves, the bigger cats then list all the ways in which they're similar. But those things go for Simon, too, and eventually the bigger cats realize that he's one of them.
The illustrations are really cute. The expressions on the big cats' faces when Simon proclaims he's just like them are pretty funny. There are also some nice pictures showing all the common traits that the cats share.
It's a simple story, but with a nice message about how we have more in common with each other than we might think.
Quotable moment:
May 24, 2022
Featured in a grandma reads session.
We are all kitty lovers, but we have allergies, so every once in awhile we pick up a book that talks to one of our deep unrequited loves. . . kitty love.
Big, little, striped, ferocious, teensy, shaggy, fast, exotic and goofy . . . .all of a type, like families. Only they purr. (I'd love it if my family purred. I've shuggested it, but they just roll their eyes.)
We are all kitty lovers, but we have allergies, so every once in awhile we pick up a book that talks to one of our deep unrequited loves. . . kitty love.
Big, little, striped, ferocious, teensy, shaggy, fast, exotic and goofy . . . .all of a type, like families. Only they purr. (I'd love it if my family purred. I've shuggested it, but they just roll their eyes.)
March 8, 2018
funny, charming, lovely story and message, and the illustrations are purr-fect (i tried, but I could not resist)
January 16, 2019
When Simon encounters a group of big cats, he declares that he is one of them, only to be greeted with denial and derision. Where is his mane, the lion wants to know, and where his speed, the cheetah inquires. Cats live in the mountains, the puma tells him, while the panther insists that cats should be black. The tiger, in the meantime, believes they should be orange (and very large!). When Simon presses the issue, he discovers that there are some things shared by all cats, and he gets his wilder, bigger cousins to see that he has them too...
A picture-book debut from expatriate Israeli author/artist Galia Bernstein, who created the illustrations for Carole Lexa Schaefer's Monkey and Elephant chapter books, I Am a Cat is an absolutely charming title, one that features an engaging story about differences and similarities between various feline species, and adorable artwork depicting a diverse range of cats. Simon's cute little face is so expressive here, as are the faces of all the bigger cats, and Bernstein captures the droll humor of their interaction. As a cat lover I really enjoyed this one, and suspect other cat lovers will feel the same. It is to them, and to anyone looking for humorous new picture-books featuring animals, that I would recommend this one.
A picture-book debut from expatriate Israeli author/artist Galia Bernstein, who created the illustrations for Carole Lexa Schaefer's Monkey and Elephant chapter books, I Am a Cat is an absolutely charming title, one that features an engaging story about differences and similarities between various feline species, and adorable artwork depicting a diverse range of cats. Simon's cute little face is so expressive here, as are the faces of all the bigger cats, and Bernstein captures the droll humor of their interaction. As a cat lover I really enjoyed this one, and suspect other cat lovers will feel the same. It is to them, and to anyone looking for humorous new picture-books featuring animals, that I would recommend this one.
February 27, 2018
Şimdiye kadar gördüğüm en süper çizimlere sahip resimli çocuk kitabı olabilir.
Bunun dışında, farklılıkların ortak noktasını birleştirme ve elbette bunu çocuklara aktarma konusunda müthiş başarılı.
Bunun dışında, farklılıkların ortak noktasını birleştirme ve elbette bunu çocuklara aktarma konusunda müthiş başarılı.
May 12, 2020
This was cute
February 14, 2018
What is a cat? Is it the little kitty that you have in your house? Is it the tiger or the lion that you see at the zoo? Could a cat be a puma, a panther or a cheetah that you see in a picture book? Could it be all of them?
Meet Simon, who claims to be cat. When Simon introduces himself to a bunch of wide-eyed fury animals who claim to be cats, they all laugh at him, they all think he is basically crazy. They try to point out to Simon all the ways that he is not like them. Simon doesn’t have a mane. Simon isn’t one of the fastest animals in the world, Simon can’t leap very high nor can he sleep in a tree. Oh, poor Simon. The more Simon listens to these animals, the more confused he gets. Simon realizes that not all the cats that he sees have all the traits that they are talking about. Lion then tells Simon how all of them have long tails and whiskers, how they all have sharp claws and teeth and now Simon starts to feel better because he is a CAT just like them! Now, this gets their attention as they look at tiny Simon and suddenly, Simon is accepted into their group.
What a cute and fun story. I really liked the illustrations that accompanied this novel. The eyes on the cats were done wonderfully and their expressions were animated and helped tell the story. I thought the fonts that were used were fantastic and brought the story to life. A fantastic novel, one you should definitely check out!
Meet Simon, who claims to be cat. When Simon introduces himself to a bunch of wide-eyed fury animals who claim to be cats, they all laugh at him, they all think he is basically crazy. They try to point out to Simon all the ways that he is not like them. Simon doesn’t have a mane. Simon isn’t one of the fastest animals in the world, Simon can’t leap very high nor can he sleep in a tree. Oh, poor Simon. The more Simon listens to these animals, the more confused he gets. Simon realizes that not all the cats that he sees have all the traits that they are talking about. Lion then tells Simon how all of them have long tails and whiskers, how they all have sharp claws and teeth and now Simon starts to feel better because he is a CAT just like them! Now, this gets their attention as they look at tiny Simon and suddenly, Simon is accepted into their group.
What a cute and fun story. I really liked the illustrations that accompanied this novel. The eyes on the cats were done wonderfully and their expressions were animated and helped tell the story. I thought the fonts that were used were fantastic and brought the story to life. A fantastic novel, one you should definitely check out!
October 13, 2018
Simon considers himself a cat, but Lion, Cheetah, Puma, Panther, and Tiger argue that he is not. A fun little story that teaches quite a bit about the cat family, with expressive illustrations.
December 18, 2023
A Ryder Classic
May 3, 2025
در فلسفه مفهوم «هویت» یعنی پاسخ به این سئوال که من کیم؟ و این سوال حتی در قالب یک داستان کودک هم میتونه تامل برانگیز باشه. این کتاب به زبان ساده و خیلی هوشمندانه مفهوم هویت و تعلق رو برای کودکان باز میکنه.
یه گربه کوچولو با ظاهر و اندازه ای متفاوت تلاش میکنه که خودش رو در جمع گربه سانان بزرگ تعریف بکنه. که خوب ابتدا پذیرفته نمیشه و حتی مسخرهش میکنن. اما در نهایت همه متوجه میشن که اشتراک های بنیادیشون مهمتر از تفاوت های سطحی هستن.
این کتاب نه تنها درباره حیوانات بامزهس بلکه برای انسان ها هم صدق میکنه. درباره ما و تلاش هامون برای پذیرفته شدن ، درک شدن و پیدا کردن جای خودمون در جهانی که گاها فقط ظاهر رو میبنند. جدا از اینکه ظاهر حقیقت مطلق نیست.
تصویرگری کتاب هم بنظرم در عین سادگی خیلی گرم بود و پایان بندی صلح آمیز و پذیرندهش هم حس خوبی میده و کمک میکنه که کودک بدون سنگینی مفاهیم از طریق داستان مفهوم «پذیرش تفاوت» رو درک بکنه.
یه گربه کوچولو با ظاهر و اندازه ای متفاوت تلاش میکنه که خودش رو در جمع گربه سانان بزرگ تعریف بکنه. که خوب ابتدا پذیرفته نمیشه و حتی مسخرهش میکنن. اما در نهایت همه متوجه میشن که اشتراک های بنیادیشون مهمتر از تفاوت های سطحی هستن.
این کتاب نه تنها درباره حیوانات بامزهس بلکه برای انسان ها هم صدق میکنه. درباره ما و تلاش هامون برای پذیرفته شدن ، درک شدن و پیدا کردن جای خودمون در جهانی که گاها فقط ظاهر رو میبنند. جدا از اینکه ظاهر حقیقت مطلق نیست.
تصویرگری کتاب هم بنظرم در عین سادگی خیلی گرم بود و پایان بندی صلح آمیز و پذیرندهش هم حس خوبی میده و کمک میکنه که کودک بدون سنگینی مفاهیم از طریق داستان مفهوم «پذیرش تفاوت» رو درک بکنه.
March 14, 2018
I have a confession to make. I... am such a cat-lover. They are the most darling critters both as domesticated pets and larger wild cats. So this book makes me so happy, especially given the adorable illustrations.
For all cat-lovers whether big or small, this is a great book I recommend to all.
For all cat-lovers whether big or small, this is a great book I recommend to all.
January 15, 2019
Simon is a domesticated kitten who encounters other members of the cat family. He introduces himself to a lion, panther, tiger, cheetah, and puma. How can they all be called cats? All of the other cats are incredulous that Simon would call himself a cat!
Young children will be drawn in to Simon's delightful story as Bernstein skillfully points out the differences and similarites between members of the cat family. Her illustrations are wonderful!
This is a great book for parents to read to their young children.
Young children will be drawn in to Simon's delightful story as Bernstein skillfully points out the differences and similarites between members of the cat family. Her illustrations are wonderful!
This is a great book for parents to read to their young children.
November 27, 2017
This book is so good. I’m being 100% serious.
The artwork is both gorgeous and incredibly cute, and the story is laid out with a fantastic sense of comedic timing that’ll entertain both kids and adults. Simon is an adorable protagonist, and the story’s message—don’t judge someone on appearances—is a great one.
The artwork is both gorgeous and incredibly cute, and the story is laid out with a fantastic sense of comedic timing that’ll entertain both kids and adults. Simon is an adorable protagonist, and the story’s message—don’t judge someone on appearances—is a great one.
March 26, 2018
I can foresee this becoming a beloved classic. The story is simple, universal, and expressive, with just the right amount of humor and a subtle anti-prejudice undercurrent. I loved the classic quality of the illustrations, reminiscent of 1960's Disney films like 101 Dalmations. And Simon the cat is a supremely sensible, lovable character. A little gem.
July 6, 2024
Absolutely one of the best children's books I've read that explains and embraces diversity.
February 20, 2018
“They were a bit mean at first but I learned about cat things and then they played together.” - V, age 4
May 8, 2018
I love Gailia Bernstein's insight into the diversity of felines. This is a wonderful book to share with young readers who can compare and contrast domestic cats, lions, tigers, etc. The illustrations are fun and bring to life the qualities of wild and domestic cat species. A must add to any biodiversity bookshelf. (Anyone else have one of those, besides me?)
February 23, 2018
The expressions on all the cats were very well drawn indeed.
March 15, 2018
I loved this book!
Simon is a cat, but the big cats disagree.
Simon is a cat, but the big cats disagree.
April 24, 2018
Entertaining and educational on the surface, but then it's also about not letting others get you down because they don't fit *your* definition of what this-or-that is. Usually, they're wrong, anyway.
May 30, 2018
I'm biased. I love cats.
August 29, 2018
An absolute delight! The illustrations and storyline remind one of the classic animated shorts from The Wonderful World of Disney. Share this one with cat lovers young and old!
May 4, 2018
What happens when Simon, a normal house cat, tells a group of big cats from around the world that he is just like them? They are stunned, and then laugh hysterically! Lion, Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar, and Tiger each go on to tell Simon how they differ and how Simon is not "cat" enough. The lion has a mane and roars, Simon doesn't have a mane, nor can he roar. The cheetah can run faster than anyone in the world; can Simon outrun her? Doubtful. Simon goes on to show the big cats that although he is small, they are similar in more ways than expected. This picture book celebrates differences as well as similarities and goes to show that we are all more similar than we think.
Taylor W. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
February 23, 2018
Meow! cats are the best.
February 16, 2018
Super cute! A fun way to teach kids about different cats, but also how they're from the same family. Simon reminds me of my cat, Indy. Illustrations are really cute, too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews