ALL THE CATS

A slew of felines take part in various daily activities.

“Short cat” and “tall cat” are the first pair presented in this whimsical picture book. “Thin cat” and “fat cat” are the only other opposites who appear. Bright watercolors against stark white offer warm visuals. The rhyming text is black, large, and spare, laid out seamlessly with the illustrations, making this an ideal option for younger children building their vocabulary. Readers will giggle at the antics of “really needs a poo cat,” seen from behind leaping through a cat door. Sweet and docile “bed cat” and “chair cat” are balanced by “really doesn’t care cat,” an adventurous orange kitty soaring out of a trash can. Though the text contains a predictable cadence throughout, it also offers some refreshing breaks to catch readers’ attention. Notably, on one spread, readers are invited to find “the matching cats” on a grid pattern of 12 felines. In another, a playful longhair (“awful lot of hair cat!”) jumps out of a laundry basket after an easy game of hide-and-seek, adding to the joyful celebration of feline personalities and quirks. The earnest arrangement spells satisfaction, making this a quick and easy pick for cat lovers.

Playful, like its subject matter.