Doodle Cat Wears A Cape

by Kat Patrick, Lauren Farrell (Illustrator)

He can perform all kinds of superhero acts, like catching humans when they fall from trees and firing furballs at top speed.

But will Doodle Cat's superpowers work when his friend is sad? Maybe he'll have to try something new.

Filled with Doodle Cat's signature exuberance and joy comes this hilarious and touching story of friendship, superheroes, love, and capes.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Superheroes, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2019

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was digging Doodle Cat and the whole pretending to be a superhero vibe with a towel tied around your neck, and then PANGOLIN!?! SAD pangolin?!? Pangolins are tragically underutilized in kids books and Doodle Cat gets to do some real good. It's enough for a book to be entertaining, but modeling empathy and kindness is a sweet bonus on top of the towel cape.

Library copy

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a pangolin and a lady wizard with a mustache so I feel like the title is really burying the lede.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

My cat has all the same super powers! Especially become invisible and hugs (though the hugs are forced sometimes).

[Scribe Publications]

This exuberant, zany book full of giggles is also a warm-hearted story about friendship. Fans of the first Doodle Cat book, with its delightfully odd cast of characters, will love this new story just as much – its expressive illustration and unusual language is original and fun, and young readers will warm to the characters instantly.
Book Trust

Like all the Doodle Cat books, Doodle Cat Wears a Cape is a fun story bursting with colour and imagination, but here Doodle Cat wants more than ever to show kids that the coolest thing you can do is be kind and caring with your friends. It’s a lovely book which both my children have enjoyed reading. It’s perfect for sharing or a great picture book for those learning to read.
The Gingerbread House

A great book for young children. Bright bold and downright fun ... It’s a wonderful story of friendship, and how a hug although good is sometimes not enough ... A book to get the imagination flowing!
Rachel Bustin

Patrick’s adorable, perky red cat is the perfect powered, positive puss. Farrell’s simple, bold, and bright illustrations support and extend the cheeky, positive attitude ... Sure to brighten anyone’s day if they’re feeling down — or superpowerless.
Kirkus Reviews

With a tea towel for a cape, a striking red feline named Doodle Cat shows off ‘cool superpowers’ ... Bold, sketch-like illustrations accompany Doodle Cat’s childlike first-person narration, and goofy scenes of the happy companions suggest that friendship, replete with costume, is the ultimate superpower.
Publishers Weekly

With a tea towel for a cape, a striking red feline named Doodle Cat shows off “cool superpowers” such as saving a human (really a pillow), firing high-speed furballs, and becoming invisible (inside a box) ... Bold, sketchlike illustrations accompany Doodle Cat’s childlike first-person narration (“I am Doodle Cat./ Look at my cape!”), and goofy scenes of the happy companions suggest that friendship, replete with costume, is the ultimate superpower.
Publishers Weekly

With a tea towel for a cape, a striking red feline named Doodle Cat shows off ‘cool superpowers’ such as saving a human (really a pillow), firing high-speed furballs, and becoming invisible (inside a box). But when none of these powers help him cheer up his friend, Pangolin, the feline takes a new approach. Wearing a tea towel, Pangolin is soon showing off: smelling everything (especially Doodle Cat’s toots), digging, and licking the Milky Way with a long curly tongue. ‘Together we are superfriends,’ the pair declares, inviting others (including the reader) to don capes and join them in discovering their own unique powers. Bold, sketch-like illustrations accompany Doodle Cat’s childlike first-person narration.
Publishers Weekly

A red cat donning a tea towel as a cape shows off his silly superhero abilities. When he stumbles upon a sad blue pangolin in Converse-style sneakers, Doodle Cat enacts his range of superpowers in an attempt to cheer him up. When all of his comical tricks are used up, he offers Pangolin a hug and a tea towel, to be worn as a cape. Pangolin quickly cheers up and shows off his own abilities. The illustrations switch from full-colour animals with generous white space, to black-and-white outlined animals featuring their coloured capes, to single-page spreads full of bold colour. The narrative line is simple and straightforward, making this picture book a playful choice for early readers who enjoy amusing stories.
School Library Journal

I love the simple illustrations in this book and the charming likability of Doodle Cat. I think it was just whimsical enough to make children use their imaginations to create their own superpowers. I enjoyed it and loved how it encouraged children to take the time to stop and think about how to love their friends well.
Avery Shelbourne, Bookseller Review, Fabled Bookshop & Cafe

Doodle Cat has many superpowers when he wears his (tea towel) cape. When his friend Pangolin is sad, he has to bring out his most powerful move of all — a big, warm hug. It seems to do the trick! Suddenly, Pangolin has superpowers to flaunt next. Better find him a cape, too! Silly and adorable, Doodle Cat reminds us that some of the most heroic acts are the simplest ones. And having a cape helps, obviously.
Andrew King, Bookseller Review, University Bookstore

Doodle Cat possesses the ultimate super power and best of all uses it for kindness and shares his secret with those in need. A powerful message that exudes confidence building, compassion and the power of friendship.
Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Librarian Review, Neill Public Library

[Jj · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, but not a great story. Yet but I do love that Pangolin is a character here and is (of course!) full of natural superpowers.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doodle Cat has many superpowers when he wears his (tea towel) cape. When his friend Pangolin is sad, he has to bring out his most powerful move of all-- a big, warm hug. It seems to do the trick! Suddenly, Pangolin has superpowers to flaunt next. Better find him a cape, too! Silly and adorable, Doodle Cat reminds us that some of the most heroic acts are the simplest ones. And having a cape helps, obviously.

[Blane · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't go wrong with a children's book featuring a cat! Though this one was a little simplistic, even for the intended young audience, I still enjoyed it and loved the message that "you are special and have your own superpowers to use for good!" I could completely see a library story time audience (or even a kid at home alone) running around with a tea towel wrapped around their neck like a cape, contemplating their own uniqueness.

[Musiclib · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Doodle Cat puts on his superhero cape (a tea towel) and notices his friend Pangolin is sad. So Doodle Cat tries everything to make him happy, but it doesn't work. So he breaks out his superpower - hugs. Pangolin feels much better and dons a cape to break out his superpower - rolling up in a ball.

Very stark illustrations are great for color recognition for toddlers.

[Kirstin Morrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has only one message with meaning: Sometimes spending time with or even giving a hug to a person who is feeling unhappy can be really helpful. So that's two pages. The rest of the pages in this book are largely wasted. It's a silly journey that's just too superficial to be read more than once.

[Jessica (Spooky KidLit & We Who Walk Here, Walk Alone) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doodle Cat Wears a Cape is a warm, hilarious tale of friendship that encourages kids to embrace their unique strengths. Filled with brilliantly wacky art and bursting with joy, this book is sure to inspire and delight readers of all ages. Grab a cape and find your own superpower!

[Esther Lombardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doodle cat does it all. That includes sharing superhero status with a friend. It's a fun book and a good message.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly story about a cat and friend pangolin.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book with a neat message.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A preschool and up book about a cat and his friend Pangolin who is going through some sad emotions and trying to become happy. Cute and nice way to cheer up a friend.

[Paul Graham Terpstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story about the power of imagination.

[drowningmermaid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really sure what the point was. Art did nothing for me.

But it's about pretending and imagining and being a friend.

[Kathleen Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story about imagination but lacks meat

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these illustrations. Bold colors paired with simple concepts. But what will Doodle Cat do when his friend is sad? This reminded me a little of Tiny T. Rex and Pointy.

[Story Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that the cat was red. That’s an easy color for me to see.

[Lyds · Rating 5 out of 5]

L: I really liked it because it builds your confidence and it was very funny.

[Tina]

Magpies review