Whisker-Twitching Stories That Celebrate Curiosity, Friendship, and Cozy Companions
From sneaky pounces to gentle purrs, cats have a special way of making their mark on our hearts and homes. Books about cats capture their playful personalities, mysterious behavior, and the sweet bonds they form with their humans. Whether silly or serious, curious or cuddly, these cat-themed stories are sure to delight young readers.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite cat books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included fun cat-themed activities and thoughtful questions to help children connect with the independence and affection that cats so perfectly balance. Let me know which feline tale becomes your favorite!
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Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Cats?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Cats
- 11 Cat Books For Children
- What Cat Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Cats?
Cat books help children explore emotions, relationships, and the importance of observation.
Cats are often portrayed as curious, clever, and a bit mischievous—qualities that make for fun and relatable stories. These books offer lessons about trust, patience, and understanding others—even when they’re a little different.
Reading about cats helps kids develop empathy and respect for animals while having fun with feline adventures.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Cats
Books about cats go beyond the meows—they explore independence, adaptability, and emotional connection.
Characters may form special bonds with stray cats, learn responsibility by caring for a pet, or discover how to be a gentle and patient friend. Cat stories can also spark important conversations about identity, boundaries, and making space for quiet moments.
Whether nonfiction or fantasy, these books offer windows into the gentle wisdom of the animal world.
How to Use Books about Cats with Children
Here are some playful and purr-fect ways to extend the fun:
- 🐱 Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask: What do you think the cat was thinking? or Have you ever felt like being quiet and cozy like a cat? In class, Turn and Talk or role-play cat characters can be great fun.
- 🎨 Engage in Cat-Themed Activities: Make paper plate cat masks, design your own cartoon cat, write a story from a cat’s point of view, or create a “cat hotel” from recycled boxes for play or stuffed animals.
- 📚 Refer Back to the Books: During quiet time, SEL moments, or when discussing animals, reflect on your favorite cat characters. Say: Remember how the cat found a cozy nook when it felt overwhelmed? That’s a great idea for us too.
- 👨👩👧 Involve Other Caregivers: Share books featuring beloved cats and suggest cat observation journals or drawing challenges at home. Families with pets can write or illustrate stories inspired by their own furry friends.
11 Cat Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 123 Cats: A Cat Counting Book by Leslea Newman
🔗 View on Amazon
This colorful rhyming book introduces young readers to numbers through playful, prancing cats.
Activity Suggestion: Make your own number book by drawing cats in different poses for each number.
Discussion Questions:
- How many cats were in the book?
- What was your favorite number rhyme?
- Can you count something else using cats?
#2 Babies Love Kittens by Ginger Swift
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A sturdy lift-the-flap board book that introduces babies to adorable kittens and simple words.
Activity Suggestion: Pretend to be kittens crawling, stretching, and purring.
Discussion Questions:
- What do kittens do all day?
- How do kittens show they’re happy?
- What would you name a new kitten?
#3 Where’s the Cat? by Ingela P Arrhenius
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Lift the soft felt flaps to find a hidden cat on each page—perfect for toddlers learning object permanence.
Activity Suggestion: Hide a small stuffed animal and play your own version of “Where’s the Cat?”
Discussion Questions:
- Where was the trickiest place to find the cat?
- How do cats like to hide?
- What hiding spots do you like best?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 Cat Chat by Dr. Jess French
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An engaging book that teaches kids how cats communicate through body language and behavior.
Activity Suggestion: Make flashcards with different cat poses and guess what they mean.
Discussion Questions:
- How do cats show they’re scared or happy?
- What should you do when a cat hisses?
- What is your pet’s favorite way to communicate?
#5 My Cat is Like That by Barbara Pinke
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A rhythmic comparison of cats with everyday things—funny, whimsical, and relatable for cat lovers!
Activity Suggestion: Write your own “My cat is like…” poem or drawing.
Discussion Questions:
- Which comparison was your favorite?
- What would you compare your cat to?
- Why do cats act so differently?
#6 Where Have You Been, Little Cat? by Richard Jones
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Follow a little cat on a dreamy nighttime adventure through a quiet town.
Activity Suggestion: Draw a “cat’s map” of your neighborhood or bedroom.
Discussion Questions:
- Where do you think the cat went?
- What would you do on a nighttime walk?
- Why do cats like to explore?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel
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A clever exploration of perspective as a cat is seen differently by everyone—from a dog to a bee.
Activity Suggestion: Draw a cat as seen by different animals (fish, bird, dog).
Discussion Questions:
- Why did everyone see the cat differently?
- How do you see a cat?
- What does this teach us about other people’s views?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 Cats Don’t Like Dinosaurs! by Andy Wortlock
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This silly rhyming book imagines what happens when dinosaurs invade a cat’s comfy world!
Activity Suggestion: Act out a story where your cat meets a dinosaur.
Discussion Questions:
- What made the story funny?
- Do cats really dislike dinosaurs—or anything else?
- What would you do if you met a dinosaur?
#9 Comet’s Nine Lives by Jan Brett
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Comet the cat narrowly escapes danger again and again—can he finally find a home?
Activity Suggestion: Create a “safe home” collage with things a cat needs.
Discussion Questions:
- Why did Comet use up so many lives?
- What kind of home did he finally find?
- What helps animals feel safe and loved?
#10 “Illustrated Tales of Dwarfs, Gnomes and Fairy Folk” by Ineke Verschuren
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A hilarious graphic novel about a famous internet cat wrongly accused and on the run!
Activity Suggestion: Design your own comic strip starring a runaway cat.
Discussion Questions:
- Why was the cat on the run?
- What made this story funny and fast-paced?
- How did the cat prove their innocence?
#11 Cat Breed Guide by Dr. Gary Weitzman
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A National Geographic guide to cat breeds packed with photos, facts, and fun for young feline fans.
Activity Suggestion: Match cat breeds to their traits in a DIY flashcard game.
Discussion Questions:
- Which breed do you like best and why?
- What makes cat breeds different from each other?
- What kind of cat would you want as a pet?
Grab these free resources to make your teaching life easier!
What Cat Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Cat books for kids are full of wonder, whiskers, and wisdom. Whether your child is a devoted cat lover or just discovering feline fun for the first time, these stories offer laughs, snuggles, and life lessons wrapped in soft fur.
Which cat tale will land in your lap next? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share your favorite feline reads, drawings, or creative cat crafts!
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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