I Am a Cat
- Subject
- Social Themes - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
- Age
- 3-5 years
- Format
- Hardcover
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Harry N. Abrams
- Size
- 21.8 cm × 27.2 cm
- ISBN
- 9781419726439
A celebration of both individuality and community, author-illustrator Galia Bernstein’s I Am a Cat is a strong debut that shows we’re all more alike than we think . . . if we look closely enough.
A simple housecat named Simon encounters some bigger cats: Lion, Puma, Panther, Tiger, and Cheetah. Each of the big cats has something to say about Simon not being “cat” enough. According to them, he just doesn’t measure up. He doesn’t have Lion’s mane or Cheetah’s spots. He doesn’t sleep in trees like Panther or climb mountains like Puma. He’s small and fuzzy, not big and strong.
But ultimately, Simon shows the big cats that he’s just like them . . . only smaller.
“Witty language and delightfully bold digital illustrations with hand-painted textures elevate I Am a Cat from a read-once picture book to an experience that children will want to explore multiple times.” —Shelf Awareness (Starred Review)
“An amusing read-aloud for small groups or individual children.” —School Library Journal (Starred Review)
A simple housecat named Simon encounters some bigger cats: Lion, Puma, Panther, Tiger, and Cheetah. Each of the big cats has something to say about Simon not being “cat” enough. According to them, he just doesn’t measure up. He doesn’t have Lion’s mane or Cheetah’s spots. He doesn’t sleep in trees like Panther or climb mountains like Puma. He’s small and fuzzy, not big and strong.
But ultimately, Simon shows the big cats that he’s just like them . . . only smaller.
“Witty language and delightfully bold digital illustrations with hand-painted textures elevate I Am a Cat from a read-once picture book to an experience that children will want to explore multiple times.” —Shelf Awareness (Starred Review)
“An amusing read-aloud for small groups or individual children.” —School Library Journal (Starred Review)
About the author
Galia BernsteinAuthor
Galia Bernstein was born and raised in Israel. She started her career as a designer and illustrator for the Israeli Army’s magazine. She later studied illustration at Parsons School of Design at the New School and now works as a full-time freelance illustrator. She is the author-illustrator of I Am a Cat and Leyla. She lives in Brooklyn.
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What reviewers said
STARRED REVIEW**
"Witty language and delightfully bold digital illustrations with hand-painted textures elevate I Am a Cat from a read-once picture book to an experience that children will want to explore multiple times."
“Both kids and grown-ups can appreciate a small, stripey role model standing its ground when laughed at, and responding with calm, careful evidence rather than visceral frustration… It is a welcome change to see evidence-based arguments result in changed minds.”
STARRED REVIEW**
"Bernstein’s debut is a fresh, powerful twist on the tension between in-groups and out-groups. The big cats threaten, but her hero shows no signs of compromise or apology. And her spare, clean artwork shares the same sense of certainty."
"Bernstein's distinct, slightly cartoony characterizations of her array of big cats are both educational and entertaining. The big cats are indeed large and toothy, but the portrayal is ever lighthearted. Clever."
"There’s a touch of genuine biology in this low-key humorous text, which has a pleasing folkloric structure and formality in its tone. Bernstein’s soft-edged digital illustrations will delight cat lovers."
STARRED REVIEW**
"Bernstein’s debut is fun, well crafted, and promising. The simple text and strong pictures offer an amusing read-aloud for small groups or individual children."
