This book just stole my cat!

Bella and Ben

by Richard Byrne

In this next picture book from Richard Byrne--the author-illustrator of This book just ate my dog!--Bella, Ben, and that adorable dog have to rescue Ben's cat from the clutches of the naughty book.

When Ben's cat disappears into the gutter of the book, Bella joins in the search-and-rescue mission. But when the helpers disappear one after another, Ben realizes it's up to him to set things right. Cleverly using the physicality of the book, This book just stole my cat! is kid-friendly fun!

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2019

About the author

"Born in a hospital. Brought up in Brighton. Learnt to colour-in in Eastbourne. Worked in graphic design. Worked in Brighton, London, Manchester and Yorkshire Hills. Worked for myself. Met Philippa somewhere along the way. Had two children. Had the mid life crisis. Bought my first guitar. Got the urge to create a children’s book. Got an agent. Got a book deal. Got another book deal. Got to Chichester."

Reviews

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each time you turn the page the book eats something new. The children have to tickle the book to get it to sneeze so that it will sneeze out all of the stuff it stole.

[Heather McC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brave readers are encouraged to get involved to help Ben rescue his cat - and everyone else - that gets caught between the book's pages.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for books that remind of There's a Monster at the End of This Book and the interactive nature of this one did just that. I also really laughed at the sound the siren made on the Cat Search and Rescue vehicle.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this interactive picture book well enough, and I'm sure that many young readers will have a blast following its instructions and becoming a part of the story, I didn't feel as charmed by it as the author/illustrator's earlier offerings in a similar vein. I'm not sure why, but perhaps it was just the total absurdity of the cat and others disappearing into the book's gutter or the cat toy bouncing around that detracted from my enjoyment. Nevertheless, young readers will be quick to rescue the gray striped cat that disappears while Ben is playing with him. Every time anyone or anything tries to bring back the kitty, they too disappear. It's up to the reader to fix things. Instructions arrive, and readers must tickle the book and turn the pages so that everyone can come out of that gutter. Ben's cat is glad to be reunited with Ben, but the poor feline still has some residual effects from its experience. Clearly, the book can't be trusted not to misbehave. Readers with cats should be careful when they read this one around their furry friends.

[Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

J'aime bien le concept des albums de Richard Byrne, mais ce livre ressemble trop à Ce livre a mangé mon chien!. Dommage, parce qu'encore une fois, l'on suit les aventures de Bruno et Bella de manière active et dynamique...

[A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, but done. See Press Here, Tap the Magic Tree, etc.

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and silly. On it's own, kids might get a kick out of it, but if they've read others in the series, they might find this predictable and repetitive, or maybe just familiar ("I feel like I've read this before.").

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar to 'this book just ate my dog" we have a main character whose pet is eaten by the spine of the book. Only it's a cat, and the book 'stole' the cat. Various ways of retrieval are tried, but all the helpers are also stolen by the book. Luckily a letter is sent back that reveals the book is ticklish, and if readers tickle the book it will sneeze everyone back out. Large, bright illustrations and simple text make this a good group read-a-loud. Everyone will be able to follow along and see the pictures.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book and this series! I think these books are wonderful to use when introducing the parts of the book - especially in upper grades because either they've forgotten them or never learned the correct name for them. Also, they are great mentor texts to use to show creativity and taking an idea in a new direction. Each of these books uses some of the same ideas but is fresh and fun and provides a twist I didn't see coming. Heli-kitty? These will always be on the teacher shelf so I can pull them out at any moment to use for a variety of lessons, or just for fun!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expect your picture book readers to either love this book or hate it. How so?

Very literal kids, or kids who like their lives as orderly as possible? Quite likely, they won't be fans.

But the rebellious kids, the ones with sophisticated minds, children who like to put puzzles together? They may ADORE this clever mystery story about a disappearing cat.

And yes, tickling is part of the solution to the cat-stealing, just as readers are told on the bookplate for the hardcover edition:

This TICKLISH book belongs to....

FIVE STARS for thinking outside the picture book box.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installation is very nearly identical to This Book Just Ate My Dog! but for cat lovers. It is the absolute perfect read aloud for a cat visit. I'm obsessed.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dans le même style que ... le chien, livre interactif qu'on a trouvé bien amusant! ( Henry 4 ans )

Une histoire amusante qui mêle à son univers l'objet livre lui-même, ce qui nous fait découvrir une relation originale entre le contenant et son contenu. Des crayonnés de synthèse illustrent les pages. [SDM]

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great for 3 - 4 year olds. A young boy's dog gets eaten by the book and an increasing number of search and rescue attempts also get swallowed up. Young readers are directed to tickle to book in order to have it sneeze everyone free.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben's cat mysteriously disappears into the book, but when Bella and a whole host of helpers try to rescue it, hilarity ensues. This is essentially This Book Just Ate My Dog by the same author, with a cat. A fun and interactive group read aloud for preschoolers.

[Chantal HK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un livre qui vole un chat? Comment résoudre une telle situation? Plus on tente de sauver le chat, plus tout tourne au farfelu et au ridicule. Il n'en tient qu'à TOI, lecteur, pour rétablir l'ordre dans ce bazar!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly fun happens here. Ben's cat dissappear into the gutter of the book, along with everyone who tries to rescue the cat. Finally, Ben takes it upon himself to make the rescue with interesting results.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the book seems to be eating up characters and action, the reader must tickle the book to sneeze them back out

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am anxious to see how the kids enjoy "tickling" the pages to help the cat escape.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, interactive metafiction.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun interactive and playful.

[AbsentLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The usual fun from Byrne. Love the siren in this one!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

We enjoyed tickling the book, it made us smile/laugh.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young kids would love a book that they could physically interact with — especially if it’s only make pretend.

[Mallory Hargett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interactive way to engage the students by wondering where the cat has gone.

[Fran Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good interactive book for the classroom.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a similar book that actually does it better. When I remember the name of the other book I'll let you know. ;)

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny & clever interactive story.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story !!!

[Jessie Otto · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sara Cook]

So fun!