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1 2 3 Cats: A Cat Counting Book
Count on cats as a fun way to learn numbers—in rhyming spreads with expressive appeal for animal lovers of all ages.
Cat Number One has nothing to do . . .
Until she makes friends with Cat Number Two.
Meet cats from one to a dozen in this adorable board book introduction to counting with a feline twist. Author Lesléa Newman draws on her love for (and familiarity with) cats in a concept book for the very young, while illustrator Isabella Kung captures the animals’ movements and gestures in a way that is sure to delight.
Cat Number One has nothing to do . . .
Until she makes friends with Cat Number Two.
Meet cats from one to a dozen in this adorable board book introduction to counting with a feline twist. Author Lesléa Newman draws on her love for (and familiarity with) cats in a concept book for the very young, while illustrator Isabella Kung captures the animals’ movements and gestures in a way that is sure to delight.
26 pages, Board book
First published January 1, 2021
36 people want to read
About the author
Lesléa Newman
108 books249 followersLesléa Newman (born 1955, Brooklyn, NY) is the author of over 50 books including Heather Has Two Mommies, A Letter To Harvey Milk, Writing From The Heart, In Every Laugh a Tear, The Femme Mystique, Still Life with Buddy, Fat Chance and Out of the Closet and Nothing to Wear.
She has received many literary awards including Poetry Fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and two Pushcart Prize Nominations.
Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists.
Ms. Newman wrote Heather Has Two Mommies, the first children's book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, and has followed up this pioneering work with several more children's books on lesbian and gay families: Gloria Goes To Gay Pride, Belinda's Bouquet, Too Far Away to Touch, and Saturday Is Pattyday.
She is also the author of many books for adults that deal with lesbian identity, Jewish identity and the intersection and collision between the two. Other topics Ms. Newman explores include AIDS, eating disorders, butch/femme relationships and sexual abuse. Her award-winning short story, A Letter To Harvey Milk has been made into a film and adapted for the stage.
In addition to being an author, Ms. Newman is a popular guest lecturer, and has spoken on college campuses across the country including Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Oregon, Bryn Mawr College, Smith College and the University of Judaism. From 2005-2009, Lesléa was a faculty member of the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine. Currently, she is the Poet Laureate of Northampton, MA.
She has received many literary awards including Poetry Fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and two Pushcart Prize Nominations.
Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists.
Ms. Newman wrote Heather Has Two Mommies, the first children's book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, and has followed up this pioneering work with several more children's books on lesbian and gay families: Gloria Goes To Gay Pride, Belinda's Bouquet, Too Far Away to Touch, and Saturday Is Pattyday.
She is also the author of many books for adults that deal with lesbian identity, Jewish identity and the intersection and collision between the two. Other topics Ms. Newman explores include AIDS, eating disorders, butch/femme relationships and sexual abuse. Her award-winning short story, A Letter To Harvey Milk has been made into a film and adapted for the stage.
In addition to being an author, Ms. Newman is a popular guest lecturer, and has spoken on college campuses across the country including Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Oregon, Bryn Mawr College, Smith College and the University of Judaism. From 2005-2009, Lesléa was a faculty member of the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine. Currently, she is the Poet Laureate of Northampton, MA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 1, 2021
Count to twelve as cats play together.
For every young child who loves cats.
For every young child who loves cats.
April 1, 2021
Masterfully written gentle rhyme introduces the reader to all the cats in the household - and then some! The beautifully painted cats are well placed for a delightful amount of visual energy! Sure to be cuddled by toddlers and cat-lovers alike!
June 17, 2021
Feature lythe cats meandering all over 123's in this joyful book.
In 123 Cats the author isn't simply adding a cat to each page, personality traits are being explored as well as going beyond the usual "10" to a "12" or "cats are better by the dozen."
The primary colors and numbers teaching concepts along with climbing, slithering, peeking cats is so much fun for grown ups and kiddies.
Especially appealing to families of young children who have cats as well. Get both books as they are a delight!
I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate a review.
In 123 Cats the author isn't simply adding a cat to each page, personality traits are being explored as well as going beyond the usual "10" to a "12" or "cats are better by the dozen."
The primary colors and numbers teaching concepts along with climbing, slithering, peeking cats is so much fun for grown ups and kiddies.
Especially appealing to families of young children who have cats as well. Get both books as they are a delight!
I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate a review.
May 30, 2021
The CUTEST number book I've ever seen! This goes up to #12. Isabella Kung's illustrations are beautiful!
May 4, 2021
Purrfectly adorable!
January 12, 2022
I'm terribly allergic to cats, yet I couldn't resist this adorable, rhyming counting book filled with cats. Newman's playful rhyme is a joy to read aloud, and Kung's watercolor kitties so cute I want to snuggle them. This is sure to be a winner for toddlers, preschoolers, and cat-lovers of all ages.
August 20, 2025
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
May 28, 2021
What’s up Kittie Kat?
PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: http://bookreadingtic.com/2021/05/27/...
Children will love looking at all the cute kitty cats in this adorable board book. It will be a fun way to teach what numbers are, and what they stand for, while noticing there are more and more kitties on the pages. Going over the book numerous times with your little one will help them learn about counting, as well as, have a good time seeing the silly things the cats do.
This well-made board book is a seven-inch square, and is full of colorful kitties and numbers. The rhymes and the playfulness of the cats will bring laughter and smiles to young ones faces. While they can use their fingers to point at the funny felines, and learn to count them, too. I recommend this 5-star book for the fun things the kitties do, along with the number learning that could take place. It will be enjoyed by children up to five years old.
Candlewick Publishers has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, 123 Cats: A Cat Counting Book, for the purpose of review.
PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: http://bookreadingtic.com/2021/05/27/...
Children will love looking at all the cute kitty cats in this adorable board book. It will be a fun way to teach what numbers are, and what they stand for, while noticing there are more and more kitties on the pages. Going over the book numerous times with your little one will help them learn about counting, as well as, have a good time seeing the silly things the cats do.
This well-made board book is a seven-inch square, and is full of colorful kitties and numbers. The rhymes and the playfulness of the cats will bring laughter and smiles to young ones faces. While they can use their fingers to point at the funny felines, and learn to count them, too. I recommend this 5-star book for the fun things the kitties do, along with the number learning that could take place. It will be enjoyed by children up to five years old.
Candlewick Publishers has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, 123 Cats: A Cat Counting Book, for the purpose of review.
August 24, 2021
123 CATS seems like a simple book for toddlers but has lots of rich layers with its rhyming text, number learning, expressive illustrations, humor, and theme of friendship. This is the kind of book I would have loved as a young reader and reread over and over, looking to match each cat with its number in the sequence from 1-12. I was expecting 10 cats and loved that that author snuck an extra two cats in there! Young readers will enjoy the gentle, lovely illustrations that depict cats of many colors and sizes engaged in adorable cat antics. This book also provides a sweet way to open up conversations with children about caring for pets and noticing the way animals also care for each other.
October 19, 2021
A simple rhyming counting book of a growing number of cats.
This is simple, but delightfully worded and illustrated. I know some little cat lovers who need a copy of this as a Christmas gift. They will go bonkers over it. There's a fun variety of cats in coloration and breed in this, and they engage in very realistic cat behaviors. Kung's illustrations are so cute. Highly recommended for little (and not so little) cat lovers.
This is simple, but delightfully worded and illustrated. I know some little cat lovers who need a copy of this as a Christmas gift. They will go bonkers over it. There's a fun variety of cats in coloration and breed in this, and they engage in very realistic cat behaviors. Kung's illustrations are so cute. Highly recommended for little (and not so little) cat lovers.
August 27, 2021
I'm not biased toward loving this book because I love cats though that may have contributed a small bit, a kitten's worth possibly. The clever use of the text and the adorable pictures certainly contributed toward my being disposed toward loving it even more. All right, it was very easy for me to grab this off the shelf, and want to share it with everyone!
March 18, 2022
Love this purrfect cat counting book! The rhymes are fantastic and it's fun to read aloud. The beautiful illustrations by Isabella Kung really show the action ramping up as more and more cats are added. Plus, each cat is chock full of personality. I highly recommend this board book as a go-to gift for baby showers. Five stars.
September 15, 2022
As a cat owner myself, I loved that both the text and illustrations in this sweet book were very true to the reality of cats - playing, snuggling, eating, pouncing. The rhyming text has perfect rhythm and kids will want to read this one over and over. The illustrations show the lively cats in all their moods and forms. This is a great companion book to ABC Cats!
January 3, 2023
123 Cats is a deceptively simple counting story that builds from 1 to 12. Poet Lesléa Newman and illustrator Isabella Kung have infused distinct personalities in each cat, and while it’s a quick read that will delight the youngest feline lovers, it’s a masterful example of children’s literature. A must for young children in any cat family.
December 8, 2025
I'm terribly allergic to cats, yet I couldn't resist this adorable, rhyming counting book filled with cats. Newman's playful rhyme is a joy to read aloud, and Kung's watercolor kitties so cute I want to snuggle them. This is sure to be a winner for toddlers, preschoolers, and cat-lovers of all ages.
July 19, 2021
Adorable rhyming board book that’s perfect for cat and dog lovers. Sweet watercolors plus mischievous felines make for a simple board book that kids will adore and parents won’t mind rereading again and again.
September 20, 2021
I wish my kids had 123 CATS when they were little!
I bought this (and ABC CATS) for my nephews, and they can’t have enough of it.
They live abroad, and can already say the numbers in English (not their first language)! I highly recommend these adorable board books!
I bought this (and ABC CATS) for my nephews, and they can’t have enough of it.
They live abroad, and can already say the numbers in English (not their first language)! I highly recommend these adorable board books!
November 2, 2021
It's a cat party in 123 CATS! This cute board book for cat loving toddlers teaches numbers in a gentle rhyme. The illustrations by Isabella Kung are delightful and make me want to pick up a cat off the page to cuddle!
November 6, 2021
123 Cats is an adorable board book! It’s a perfect way to engage kids in number recognition while enjoying the delightful antics of cats. Both children and adults who love cats will want to feast their eyes on this book over and over again.
February 11, 2022
This is an adorable way to teach young children numbers up to 12. The illustrations are beautiful and the rhyme is precious. I would have loved this as a kid and will recommend it to parents with young children.
July 11, 2022
This book is a beautiful depiction of the unique colors and forms that cats come in. The way they are depicted is visually appealing and I was impressed by how unique each drawing of the kitties are. None are exactly alike. Excellent for people who need to learn to count and love cats.
July 12, 2022
This is a creative lyrical with rhyming within the sentences. Every rhyming word use rhymes with one of the number words. Fresh approach to counting objects, in this case cute cats. I am not a cat fancier and I think this is a cut3 board book.
August 8, 2022
The playful rhymes and illustrations make this book enjoyable for the parents and the babies.
Toddlers get to to work on their counting skills while meowing along with these adorable little kitties. Some are sweet. Some are mischievous. All are a lot of fun.
Toddlers get to to work on their counting skills while meowing along with these adorable little kitties. Some are sweet. Some are mischievous. All are a lot of fun.
August 16, 2022
A gentle, rhyming counting book that will charm cat lovers and young readers alike. As readers count along, each new cat is doing something active on the page to keep young eyes and ears engaged--- and Isabella Kung's watercolor illustrations are absolutely gorgeous!
February 22, 2025
Numerals on each page, countable cats, and the English word for the number is in the text (except for eleven and twelve, though "dozen" is there). Good rhythm and rhyme in the text, and the cats are all different and excellent. Counts up to 12 by 1s.
October 5, 2020
I mean, it's (expletive redacted) adorable.
July 24, 2021
Beautiful watercolor illustrations, fun cat antics, and rhyming text.
November 10, 2021
Love. It has something to offer for my 2 year old and my 5 year old. Everyone was very entertained by the cute kitties personalities on each page.
December 4, 2021
Great read aloud for baby or toddler storytime.
December 15, 2021
A cute counting book that rhymes for cat lovers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews