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How to Give Your Cat a Bath: in Five Easy Steps
In this hilarious and clever "how-to," a little girl and a know-it-all narrator are thwarted by a cat who refuses to take a bath. The perfect read-aloud for fans of Snappsy the Alligator and Interrupting Chicken.
Step one: fill the bath
Step two: put the cat in the bath
Step three: put shampoo on the cat
Step four: rinse the cat
Step five: dry the cat
Seems simple, right? One problem: the cat has no intention of doing ANY of these things! Watch as the steps keep changing, the cat keeps escaping, the girl keeps eating cookies and the mess keeps escalating. Soon it's not just the cat who needs a bath--it's the whole house!
This spoof on an instruction manual features an increasingly bewildered human, a nonchalant cat and a know-it-all narrator . . . who really doesn't know it all. How DO you give a cat a bath? Read on to find out!
Step one: fill the bath
Step two: put the cat in the bath
Step three: put shampoo on the cat
Step four: rinse the cat
Step five: dry the cat
Seems simple, right? One problem: the cat has no intention of doing ANY of these things! Watch as the steps keep changing, the cat keeps escaping, the girl keeps eating cookies and the mess keeps escalating. Soon it's not just the cat who needs a bath--it's the whole house!
This spoof on an instruction manual features an increasingly bewildered human, a nonchalant cat and a know-it-all narrator . . . who really doesn't know it all. How DO you give a cat a bath? Read on to find out!
34 pages, Hardcover
First published January 22, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews
December 19, 2018
Ok, we're not even out of 2018 yet and I already have a very good contender for my favourite picture book for 2019. I do not think I even have the right words to explain how very much I enjoyed How to Give Your Cat a Bath. It's definitely going to take something pretty spectacular to top this one for me.
The premise here seems quite simple: a small girl is attempting to give her cat a bath based on instructions she's being given by an off-page narrator. Alas, what seems like a simple task turns out to be anything but! As each step proves to be more difficult than anticipated, the narrator begins to give more detailed instructions.
At first glance, this book appears to be pretty basic. There are not many words on any of the pages, and the illustrations are not overly detailed. But the more you look, the more you realize there's more going on in these clever pictures than appears at first glance. The range of facial expressions on both the girl and the cat tell a story of their own.
I laughed out loud several times while reading this very short book, and I loved the almost-but-not-quite snarky tone the narrator seemed to have. This is definitely a book I would not get sick of very quickly. It's a great option for re-reads, and I know some little ones who would be in stitches over some of the silly things in these pages.
5 very enthusiastic stars for this fun and silly read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with a DRC of this book!
The premise here seems quite simple: a small girl is attempting to give her cat a bath based on instructions she's being given by an off-page narrator. Alas, what seems like a simple task turns out to be anything but! As each step proves to be more difficult than anticipated, the narrator begins to give more detailed instructions.
At first glance, this book appears to be pretty basic. There are not many words on any of the pages, and the illustrations are not overly detailed. But the more you look, the more you realize there's more going on in these clever pictures than appears at first glance. The range of facial expressions on both the girl and the cat tell a story of their own.
I laughed out loud several times while reading this very short book, and I loved the almost-but-not-quite snarky tone the narrator seemed to have. This is definitely a book I would not get sick of very quickly. It's a great option for re-reads, and I know some little ones who would be in stitches over some of the silly things in these pages.
5 very enthusiastic stars for this fun and silly read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with a DRC of this book!
January 19, 2019
This is the first children’s book I have read since, well, since I was a child. I give myself credit for picking a good one with a little help from my Goodreads friend Jane. The full title of this little story is How to Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps. Now if you know anything about cats (and I currently have six of them), you know that NOTHING can be done to a cat in five easy steps. Thus, I was very intrigued going into this one. I just had to know what these five easy steps were!
First of all, what cute pictures adorn the pages of this short story! The cat, the cat mom, the bathtub, the chaos—all of it is depicted so well. Especially the chaos. Any project that requires handling a cat, especially for a purpose the cat objects to will result in chaos. And yes, breaks for the humans during such projects are definitely necessary. I loved the milk and cookie breaks, which are portrayed with pinpoint accuracy by the owner serving the kitty as well. Also worth noting are the clever illustrations of the savvy feline keeping one step ahead of his mom as she tries to track him down.
And the plot? Totally realistic and believable. This tale could actually be catergorized as nonfiction. Or action-adventure. It definitely fails as a DIY.
Seeing as this review is now longer than the book itself, let me just say that I found this story to be simply delightful. This is one of those wonderful children’s books that is sure to produce a smile on the face of the parent reader as well as a willingness to read it over and over again.
Thank you Net Galley, Tundra Books, and Ms. Nicola Winstanley for an advanced copy of this book. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
First of all, what cute pictures adorn the pages of this short story! The cat, the cat mom, the bathtub, the chaos—all of it is depicted so well. Especially the chaos. Any project that requires handling a cat, especially for a purpose the cat objects to will result in chaos. And yes, breaks for the humans during such projects are definitely necessary. I loved the milk and cookie breaks, which are portrayed with pinpoint accuracy by the owner serving the kitty as well. Also worth noting are the clever illustrations of the savvy feline keeping one step ahead of his mom as she tries to track him down.
And the plot? Totally realistic and believable. This tale could actually be catergorized as nonfiction. Or action-adventure. It definitely fails as a DIY.
Seeing as this review is now longer than the book itself, let me just say that I found this story to be simply delightful. This is one of those wonderful children’s books that is sure to produce a smile on the face of the parent reader as well as a willingness to read it over and over again.
Thank you Net Galley, Tundra Books, and Ms. Nicola Winstanley for an advanced copy of this book. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
December 21, 2018
This was really super cute!
The angry faces on the little one and clown like nose of the cat definitely contributed to my giggles in this simple story.
This book is something I could see becoming a fan favourite for bedtime stories with many tiny humans!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this DRC.
The angry faces on the little one and clown like nose of the cat definitely contributed to my giggles in this simple story.
This book is something I could see becoming a fan favourite for bedtime stories with many tiny humans!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this DRC.
July 21, 2019
The title grabbed me immediately as this book came across the Circulation Desk at the Library where I work and I just had to take it home! It is hilarious and will resonate with cat enthusiasts everywhere! The illustrations are both expressive and fun. Indeed, you can feel the chaos unfolding! This wonderful book is great for sharing.
February 21, 2019
A young girl discovers that there is nothing "easy" about giving a cat a bath in this humorous picture-book guide on the subject. As the girl gamely attempts to set up the bathtub, with just the right amount of water, Mr. Flea, being wise in his ways, makes his escape, thereby setting up a chase throughout the house. With ups and downs, and many revisions to the plan, including a much-needed break for cookies, the girl eventually stumbles on the best strategy of all: allow Mr. Flea to bathe himself...
As someone who has had many cat companions over the years, and has had, at various times, to give them baths, I winced in sympathy and amusement, reading How to Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps. Nicola Winstanley's entertaining text, with its guidebook structure, and back-and-forth dialogue between the narrator and the girl, is well-matched with the humorous cartoon-style artwork from illustrator John Martz. I'm not familiar with either Winstanley or Martz, two Canadian picture-book creators, but after enjoying this one, I would definitely pick up more of their work! Recommended to all young cat lovers - let it be a cautionary tale.
As someone who has had many cat companions over the years, and has had, at various times, to give them baths, I winced in sympathy and amusement, reading How to Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps. Nicola Winstanley's entertaining text, with its guidebook structure, and back-and-forth dialogue between the narrator and the girl, is well-matched with the humorous cartoon-style artwork from illustrator John Martz. I'm not familiar with either Winstanley or Martz, two Canadian picture-book creators, but after enjoying this one, I would definitely pick up more of their work! Recommended to all young cat lovers - let it be a cautionary tale.
December 8, 2018
Cats are not dogs.
And one normally does not give cats baths, the way you would a dog.
This is a picture book that takes that concept, along with the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie school of distraction, and has fun with it.
The little girl in this fun picture book, is trying to bathe her cat, but loses said cat, needs a cookie, finds cat, needs another cookie, and so on.
Fun pictures, and fun take on guide books, makes for a humous guidebook to bathing ones cat.
Highly recommended. Would make a great story time book. Kids will also love to reread it for all the things to look at, and the silly concept of the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
And one normally does not give cats baths, the way you would a dog.
This is a picture book that takes that concept, along with the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie school of distraction, and has fun with it.
The little girl in this fun picture book, is trying to bathe her cat, but loses said cat, needs a cookie, finds cat, needs another cookie, and so on.
Fun pictures, and fun take on guide books, makes for a humous guidebook to bathing ones cat.
Highly recommended. Would make a great story time book. Kids will also love to reread it for all the things to look at, and the silly concept of the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
February 2, 2019
Absolutely adorable little book! I think kids will get a kick out of finding the cat when it runs away. 4, cats are the best, stars!
December 8, 2018
| Reader Fox Blog |
I have to give Nicola Winstanley credit here, her book was pretty amusing and I can see loads of kids getting a real kick out of it. How to Give Your Cat a Bath in Five Easy Steps begins with a little girl, her cat, and an empty bathtub. What follows is a multitude of shenanigans all centered around a cat, water, and the lengths with which these fluffballs will go to avoid everything even slightly related to it. And so, of course, five steps aren't even possible, let alone five easy steps. I think anyone who's ever owned a cat before will be well aware of the fact that there is nothing more complicated than giving your cat a bath.
At least, not until you reach the end.
I had a lot of fun reading this book, enjoying the plot and the characters. What I wasn't in love with was the artwork. While the cat was cute and many of the household items were good, the pink hair on the girl was utterly ridiculous and for some reason, I just couldn't get past it. It bugged me so much and I regularly found myself wondering why she didn't have some form of natural hair color. What sort of mother would even let her kid dye her hair entirely pink?
There also wasn't a huge or important message in the story. Nothing about perseverance winning out, but rather seemed to suggest the uselessness of it. While I can understand that there could be a potential message in accepting that some things will just be. And though I find this to be a small criticism of the book, I don't think I would want to change the way it ended, either. Sometimes books don't need an all-important message, I guess.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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I have to give Nicola Winstanley credit here, her book was pretty amusing and I can see loads of kids getting a real kick out of it. How to Give Your Cat a Bath in Five Easy Steps begins with a little girl, her cat, and an empty bathtub. What follows is a multitude of shenanigans all centered around a cat, water, and the lengths with which these fluffballs will go to avoid everything even slightly related to it. And so, of course, five steps aren't even possible, let alone five easy steps. I think anyone who's ever owned a cat before will be well aware of the fact that there is nothing more complicated than giving your cat a bath.
At least, not until you reach the end.
I had a lot of fun reading this book, enjoying the plot and the characters. What I wasn't in love with was the artwork. While the cat was cute and many of the household items were good, the pink hair on the girl was utterly ridiculous and for some reason, I just couldn't get past it. It bugged me so much and I regularly found myself wondering why she didn't have some form of natural hair color. What sort of mother would even let her kid dye her hair entirely pink?
There also wasn't a huge or important message in the story. Nothing about perseverance winning out, but rather seemed to suggest the uselessness of it. While I can understand that there could be a potential message in accepting that some things will just be. And though I find this to be a small criticism of the book, I don't think I would want to change the way it ended, either. Sometimes books don't need an all-important message, I guess.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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March 30, 2019
Hysterically funny book about how to give your cat a bath. You'll need milk and cookies--trust me.
Thanks Erin for recommending it!
Thanks Erin for recommending it!
January 18, 2019
First of all let me say, I do not, nor have I ever owned a cat. I thought this was a cute cover so requested a copy from the publisher. When I read it I couldn't stop giggling and smiling. I read it to my grandson, who has lived with two cats, and the first thing he said to me was "cats don't like water grandmama". Well the book backed up that statement.
This story seems pretty simple, a young girl wants to give her cat a bath based on instructions she's being given by an off-page narrator. What seems like a few simple steps, turns out to be not so simple. Every step she tries and is not successful at, she is given more instructions. As she is counting the steps she is getting frustrated as it has taken more than five steps. The illustrations are very simple, but the range of facial expressions on both the girl and the cat tell a story of their own. My grandson thought this book was hilarious and he laughed out loud at the antics of the cat and the girl. He often predicted what he thought was going to happen next. A definite re-read for him. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
This story seems pretty simple, a young girl wants to give her cat a bath based on instructions she's being given by an off-page narrator. What seems like a few simple steps, turns out to be not so simple. Every step she tries and is not successful at, she is given more instructions. As she is counting the steps she is getting frustrated as it has taken more than five steps. The illustrations are very simple, but the range of facial expressions on both the girl and the cat tell a story of their own. My grandson thought this book was hilarious and he laughed out loud at the antics of the cat and the girl. He often predicted what he thought was going to happen next. A definite re-read for him. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
January 9, 2019
Edit:
The physical final copy is just as good as the earc was. 💖
Original Review:
Have YOU ever tried to bath a cat? This book is laugh out loud hilarious! Seriously, I've been laughing for about five minutes. You have to have lots of patience and time to give a cat a bath. They're basically toddlers with four legs. This reminded me of those Disney commercials where the little girl is frantically trying to find the bathroom.
While How to Give Your Cat a Bath won't really help you give your cat a bath, it will at least give you and many children a laugh. And at the end of the day when it all goes wrong, eat a cookie and just shake your head in your cat's general direction because they still won't care either way. 🤷🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️😹🍪🥛
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books for allowing me to read this delightfully unhelpful book. 💖
The physical final copy is just as good as the earc was. 💖
Original Review:
Have YOU ever tried to bath a cat? This book is laugh out loud hilarious! Seriously, I've been laughing for about five minutes. You have to have lots of patience and time to give a cat a bath. They're basically toddlers with four legs. This reminded me of those Disney commercials where the little girl is frantically trying to find the bathroom.
While How to Give Your Cat a Bath won't really help you give your cat a bath, it will at least give you and many children a laugh. And at the end of the day when it all goes wrong, eat a cookie and just shake your head in your cat's general direction because they still won't care either way. 🤷🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️😹🍪🥛
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books for allowing me to read this delightfully unhelpful book. 💖
February 12, 2019
I LOL'd
February 14, 2019
First sentence: How to Give Your Cat A Bath In Five Easy Steps. Step one: Fill the bathtub with warm water.
Premise/plot: So the plot is simple: a girl sets out to give her cat a bath. Are the five steps in this picture book really EASY? Maybe, maybe not. Okay definitely not. Is this one worth reading? YES. Especially if you're a cat lover.
My thoughts: This one was so cute and funny. I thought it was funny from start to finish. The text was fabulous. I especially love, love, love the ending.
Maybe we should start again.
STEP ONE
Find your--
Step One: Have some milk and cookies. You will need some energy!
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10
Premise/plot: So the plot is simple: a girl sets out to give her cat a bath. Are the five steps in this picture book really EASY? Maybe, maybe not. Okay definitely not. Is this one worth reading? YES. Especially if you're a cat lover.
My thoughts: This one was so cute and funny. I thought it was funny from start to finish. The text was fabulous. I especially love, love, love the ending.
Maybe we should start again.
STEP ONE
Find your--
Step One: Have some milk and cookies. You will need some energy!
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10
April 5, 2021
Miss S and I thoroughly enjoyed this fun book! At a year old she laughed at all the right places. 💕💕
September 23, 2019
It ain't easy washing a cat...but this silly read-aloud is pitch perfect in showing what can go wrong. It has a perfect beginning and ending...cookies...and lot of mess in between. Was a hit in the pillow tent last night (with flashlight).
February 2, 2019
This is absolutely hilarious. I laughed out loud while reading it. It’s a spot on explanation for how to give a cat a bath, in a step by step format. It’s so funny and clever, and it has a lot of voice for such a short book, with so little text. It perfectly conveys a variety of emotions and reactions, which adds a lot to the story.
This will be such a great read for a storytime group, because it’s so funny. The illustrations are delightful. Anyone who has met a cat, or owns a cat, can probably relate to this. I’m a dog person, but having grown up with a wide variety of pets, including cats, I’m totally amused and charmed by this one. It gets all my stars.
This will be such a great read for a storytime group, because it’s so funny. The illustrations are delightful. Anyone who has met a cat, or owns a cat, can probably relate to this. I’m a dog person, but having grown up with a wide variety of pets, including cats, I’m totally amused and charmed by this one. It gets all my stars.
June 4, 2019
This is so silly and fun. The illustrations start out sparse with the whole left side of the spread just text. As the hi-jinx grows, so too do the illustrations. As simple as the premise sounds, we all know that bathing a cat is not an easy experience. As you peruse the illustrations, they too seem very simple, but the more you look, the more little funny details you notice.
There are bits that make you think of the book If you Give A Mouse Cookie. It feels like a little nod to the classic story by Laura Numeroff.
There are bits that make you think of the book If you Give A Mouse Cookie. It feels like a little nod to the classic story by Laura Numeroff.
May 2, 2019
An omniscient narrator starts off this how-to guide with authority and certainty. That is until the girl on the page has trouble with the very first step. In true child and cat fashion, the narrator loses all control and focus from the two. It is perfect.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
March 3, 2019
Hahahaha, I LOVED this book! I especially like the step where you stop and have milk and cookies because you'll need to keep your energy up!
March 25, 2019
Hysterical, and perfect for a storytime with children starting around 4-5 years old. If anyone has a cat, or loves cats and their antics, this is a book for you no matter how old you are!
July 3, 2019
I lol'ed several times. Adorable.
January 27, 2019
My four year old daughter wanted me to give this book 10 stars but I said the highest I could give it is was 5. My daughter loved the book and thought it was quite hilarious that the girl had to keep finding ways to get her cat, Mr. Flea, into the bathtub. I'm sure other preschoolers and early elementary kids will find delight and humor in the funny pictures and dialogue of the little girl trying to follow the 5 easy steps to give her cat a bath. The ending of the book is "purr"fect. I highly recommend this book to other families and teachers of young children. It would make a great book for a teacher read aloud or as a mentor text for teaching "how to writing." Thank-you NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinions of the book.
February 24, 2020
This is a cute children’s picture book outlining the steps necessary to give a cat a bath. Of course, it’s never as simple as the five original steps!
February 8, 2023
Hilarious, adorable, loved it. I'm getting this book for my nephew when he gets the cat he's been wishing for.
December 22, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
I LOVED this picture book! This is a laugh out loud book that all cat owners will sympathize with. I will definitely be purchasing this for my elementary library. Students will get a kick out of this one.
I LOVED this picture book! This is a laugh out loud book that all cat owners will sympathize with. I will definitely be purchasing this for my elementary library. Students will get a kick out of this one.
Read
February 5, 2019I thought this book was just okay. The ending is pretty good, though.
December 12, 2018
Children who have cats as pets and/or adults who do will find this book to be fun and amusing. A little girl wants to give her cat a bath...we all know that cats are not on board for that. Read what happens while enjoying the illustrations in this quick story book read.
February 12, 2019
'How to Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps' by Nicola Winstanley with illustrations by John Martz is a laugh out loud picture book about a task that is anything but easy.
Step One: Fill the bath with water, only works if you don't overfill the bath and have to start over. Putting your cat in the bath only works if the cat hasn't decided to bolt out of the bathroom. And it goes on from here to be a silly adventure about something that is anything from simple and complicated by things like having to stop and eat a cookie.
This book is really a lot of fun to read. The illustrations add to the wackiness of the story being told. I think young readers will have a fun time with this one.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Step One: Fill the bath with water, only works if you don't overfill the bath and have to start over. Putting your cat in the bath only works if the cat hasn't decided to bolt out of the bathroom. And it goes on from here to be a silly adventure about something that is anything from simple and complicated by things like having to stop and eat a cookie.
This book is really a lot of fun to read. The illustrations add to the wackiness of the story being told. I think young readers will have a fun time with this one.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
February 1, 2019
Who knew what adventures you'd pursue in trying to bathe your cat? If you have a cat, don't have a cat but have a sense of humor or have a child who loves to laugh then this book is for you! I think it needs to be categorized with adult literature as well because I found it hilarious and so did my toddler! The illustrations are so adorable and the main character has a quirky spirit. I identify with her character so much as I often find myself eating multiple cookies while engaging in difficult tasks. I also love how she engages the narrator, it makes the book truly unique. This is a perfect addition to any little library and is sure to please little readers over and over again. I'd love this book in a small pocket size, it is definitely coffee table worthy!
November 2, 2019
This was so funny! I hope it wins many awards!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews