CATastrophe!: A Story of Patterns

CATastrophe tales

by Ann Marie Stephens, Jenn Harney (Illustrator)

Nine kittens go on an exciting boating adventure that’s a (funny) catastrophe in this playful picture book that demonstrates the key math concept of patterns.

A crew of hungry kittens and their captain head to the lake to catch some dinner, but the fish have surprises in store for them. Even before the cats encounter the fish, they run into trouble. What happens when confused kitties paddle every which way? Or when they all lean in the same direction? A pattern is needed to avoid a catastrophe!

Patterns are the foundation on which math is built. Using strong rhythm, clever wordplay, and countable characters, CATastrophe! is a fun read-aloud that also shows what patterns can do. Helpful backmatter will deepen readers’ understanding and challenge them to find more patterns in this book and in our world. There’s also much to find in the illustrations—including a dragonfly and worm that each appear twenty times.

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Cats, Animals, Childrens, Stem, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 10, 2021

About the author

Ann Marie Stephens is the author of numerous picture books including the ARITHMECHICKS series, the CATastrophe! series, SO MANY BOOKS, and more. She is a retired, award-winning elementary teacher with over 30 years in the classroom. Ann Marie’s poetry and literacy work has been featured in Bon Appetit Magazine and on NPR. She is represented by Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt Agency. Visit her at www.annmariestephensbooks.com

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: The bait is packed and the boat is waiting. This hungry crew wants to catch some dinner.

Premise/plot: This picture book stars a crew of CATS eagerly wanting to catch some fish for dinner. This concept book is all about PATTERNS. IF the cats are to be successful they will have to reliably and consistently be able to integrate patterns into their plans...

My thoughts: It is a thinly veiled story. BUT on the plus side, if you're going to be doing math, better math WITH KITTIES than without. I didn't love, love, love this one as a story. I liked it. I think for those looking for concept picture books about patterns for young readers--preschoolers through kindergarten--it would be a good fit.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

Cats are featured. Beware, those who are allergic. We are not, and so we ventured forth.

Patterns are the focus, with kittens, cats and assorted other creatures lending a wing or paw. Math is not my strength, and so I didn't get a lot, but the kids explained to me how to find a pattern core within a pattern. . .who knew? Didn't get that in my grade school math classes! Thank you, Ann Marie Stephens & Jenn Harney!!

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of kittens go on a fishing expedition and practice teamwork, along with pattern making.

[Lisa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Cute book for young kids to learn basic patterns!

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be a great read aloud for introducing or practicing patterns.

[Erin Rus'l · Rating 5 out of 5]

My seven year old LOVES this book (and so does his first grade teacher mama)! The text includes both examples and non examples of patterns as well as vocabulary such as “pattern core”. The kitty mishaps and fish shenanigans make the book especially engaging!

[B Pastore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway!!!

First - it is a beautiful book! The quality of the paper, the beauty of the vivid colors, beautiful dust jacket and the fabulous illustrations by Jenn Harney -- All of it is totally pleasing to the eye and touch!

Next - The book is all about "patterns" - ways they can be used and how very important they are. This is a great book for children and adults to share. A fun and educational read for all!!! Wonderful creative learning stories/situations and learning opportunities written by Author Ann Marie Stephens!
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The flap of the dust jacket gives a great introduction as to what to expect:
"When a crew of cats sets out in a canoe to catch their dinner, the fish have some surprises in store. But even before the cats encounter the fish, they row into trouble. What happens when Captain Cat and nine confused kitties paddle every which way? Or when they all lean in the same direction? A pattern is needed to avoid a catastrophe!

Patterns are the foundation on which math is built. CATastrophe! cleverly shows the importance of patterns as ten cats and two fish make a splash in this hilarious adventure story.

Can you guess what these sly fish will do?"
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We are looking forward to sharing this wonderful book in the community through our Little Free Library so many will have the opportunity of reading and enjoying it!

Thank you :-)

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a cat-lover, I felt obligated to give Ann Marie Stephens and Jenn Harney’s “Catastrophe” a try, and I was not disappointed! As a pattern book, “Catastrophe” excels, reading more like an interactive game, which I feel is the best way to describe it. Harney’s illustrations are eye-catching and loaded with character, and there are many subtle characterization details to be found for most of the cats throughout the illustrations. Colorful and charming, the imagery leads well into the patterns the book showcases and will certainly keep students’ attention. (Personally, I loved seeing the many different fur patterns and breeds depicted in the main ten cats!) The patterns found in the book are simple, yet thought-provoking, and can be successfully done with a few or multiple students. The authors also give helpful vocabulary words in the back of the book, identifying terms that may aid readers in understanding each pattern and dissecting them. Another fun detail waits on the back cover. In it, the authors challenge students to find a certain number of cats, dragonflies, worms, and small fish, adding another layer of pattern recognition and engagement to an already densely packed picture book! I would strongly recommend “Catastrophe” for kindergarteners to even late elementary school students.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of cats out for a canoe fishing trip learn that patterns help make things go more smoothly...well, most of the time.

I like how this book has a variety of patterns and gives readers time to analyze the pattern or what's messed up one before the page turn. There are notes in the back of the book about some of the different types of patterns used in the book. Beyond all the patterns, the book presents a lightly silly story about some cats on a camping trip going canoeing and fishing together and both humorous issues and cozy experiences they face during their adventure.

[Mindy Alyse Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome way to teach kids patterns. This book is filled with fun pattern sounds kids should love repeating and adorable illustrations. One of the visual surprises toward the end had me laughing out loud even after I finished the book. So clever! The cats are each bursting with personality—they’re all adorable, but I especially love the fluffy white cat.

I love the challenge to find all 172 cats, 20 dragonflies, 20 worms, and 14 small fish throughout the book.

[Connie T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of cats head out in a canoe on a fishing expedition. In order to be successful, they need to create and maintain patterns. The patterns are everywhere - in their vest colors, the direction their tails flicker, and in their rowing chant. When a disruption in the pattern occurs, there's a CATastrophe. All ends well though.

Back matter gives simple explanations of various patterns and terminology. The artwork was a bit busy for me (obscuring the patterns) and felt overwhelming.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are AB, AAB, ABC, and ABCD patterns here. All repeating patterns (no growing). Some of them are very relevant to the story/make sense in context, and others are much sillier. I do like that it talks about patterns in things that we see, things that we do, and things that we hear.

The main text explicitly brings up the idea of the pattern core early on/

[Tracey Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clever book about CATS (YEAH!) and patterns, with a story that makes you want to turn the page and precious illustrations about our dear cats on a boating adventure. It's fun and educational, with interesting back matter for those of us who didn't like math as kids. The story is rhythmic and would be awesome as a read aloud.

[Emily Ruggles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this read! Creative and engaging book that lets children begin exploring the concept of patterns through a fun story driven narrative. With lively illustrations and a playful storyline it keeps the young readers drawn in and lets them see how shapes are actually all around them in everyday life!

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute kittens on a camping trip illustrate the concept of pattern cores; a concept fundamental for early mathematical skills.

*By far my favorite part is the illustrator, Jen Harney's, dedication: "For the cast and crew of Mad Men. I mean, WHAT?!

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book about patterns but the patterns weren’t visual - they were written words. Thus, it wouldn’t be great for small children who are first learning patterns because they wouldn’t be able to visually guess the pattern. I wish their had been more visual clues

[Andréa]

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

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for this clever little book embracing the way the mind sees patterns

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love the title and from there the book "sank"! Too busy, cats and water....really.... patterns are difficult to see with everything going on.....booktastrophie!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little book about math and patterns (with a very simple storyline to keep it moving along)

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much fun!

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun patterns and cats!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun story with patterns. Great lap book with a toddler.

[Erin Quarterman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite illustrations, but love some of the vocabulary around sorting/patterns. Would give 3.5 stars.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea to introduce kids to the concept of patterns. My child found it a bit confusing, as the patterns were more in the text than in the illustrations.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patterns of length 2, 3, and 4 are incorporated into the story of a long canoe of cats going fishing.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Visually introduce children to different patterns. Help them spot the mistakes and fix the pattern before the fishing trip is ruled a catastrophe.
Covers AB, AAB, ABC, ABCD, ABB patterns.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun introduction to the concept of patterns.

[SamSamSam · Rating 1 out of 5]

This could have been done well, but as it is the patterns in the book are not visually clear, nor is the logic sound- cats flicking their tails to one side tips a boat over?

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Less about cats and more about patterns. Therefore less stars from me. GIVE ME ALL the CATS!