Cats Are Great But - (It's Great to Have a Pet) by Stepanka Sekaninova (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Filled with amusing illustrations and real-life scenarios, this guide shows kids the pros and cons of cat care, offering an insightful yet fun learning experience.

Like its canine counterpart, Cats Are Great BUT introduces children to the ins and outs of cat ownership. Within its thoughtfully crafted pages, young readers discover the joys and responsibilities that accompany being a cat's guardian. Through relatable situations and engaging lessons, this book unravels potential challenges and illustrates how the sheer fun of having a feline friend can help children overcome obstacles. All the while, it celebrates the unique bond between humans and their whiskered companions.

Cats are Great BUT, aimed at children ages 6-9, offers parents and educators an invaluable tool to instill responsibility and empathy in children, all while ensuring that a lot of fun is had along the way. With its charming illustrations and relatable situations, this book combines education and heartwarming adventure, promising to make a lasting impact on young hearts. It's not just a purchase; it's an investment in a child's affection for animals and their personal development. Cats are Great BUT encourages kids to embrace the world of cats with open hearts and compassionate minds, all while having a fantastic time.

Review Quotes

Selected for The Children's Book Council's May 2024 "Hot Off The Press" Reading List

"PreS-Gr 2-Pet ownership is a big step for many people and this graphic novel-style nonfiction book gives lots of advice about owning a cat. There are pages about basic care of cats, what to feed them, and how to deal with normal cat behavior. There are also pages about how to keep a cat safe from potentially dangerous situations, as well as what kinds of foods are suitable for cats and which are not. Some of the information, such as why cats might want to go outside, might seem inadequate to readers looking for detailed information. The cartoonish illustrations are realistic enough to allow readers to understand the text fully. This will be a good reference book for readers thinking about cat ownership. VERDICT For libraries filling out the how-to or pet shelves; the graphic novel format is sure to attract readers." --Debbie Tanner, School Liberary Journal

"This book caught my eye as a cat lover. I read it quickly since it's intended audience is young readers. This is a really great introduction for kids who are first time cat "owners" to help answer many of the questions that come up with having a cat. Why do cats sleep all day? Why do they wake me up at night? Why do cats scratch the furniture? Why is there cat hair everywhere? What do we do if we want to go on vacation? As someone who has owned cats their whole life, these were great topics to address and good answers to a juvenile audience. I could see using this with my stepson when we adopted our cat 5 years ago. Highly recommend checking this out if you are adding a furry friend to your family and want to ease the transition for any kids in your house." --Kerri C., NetGalley-Librarian

"I like these books. The pictures are cute and the information is basic but they're a good quick guide to pet care." --Lisa D., NetGalley-Reviewer

"I would recommend this book to any family considering bringing a cat into their home. It's a great educational resource for any young person looking into adopting a cat. The language is appropriate for most children ages five and up. The illustrations are both comical and educational. I have had a cat myself and there was some information in this book that I didn't know either, so this might be a good resource for parents as well! Definitely consider reading this book before adopting a cat or kitten." --Krissy S., NetGalley-Reviewer

"This book is perfect for a kiddo who would like a kitten or cat. They can read before they get a cat and learn all of the things to do or not do with their new pet. How to care for a cat is an important thing to learn before getting the animal. What a perfect book for a kiddo." --NetGalley-Librarian

"It talks about many of the wonderful things that come with kitties. It also talks about some of the drawbacks that come with the territory. Rather than waltzing into the relationship blindly, which would not be good for either party, this book allow the young child to weigh the pros and cons and discuss them with the adults in their lives. It provides a lot of valuable information which sets it apart from other books for this age group. And the artwork is rather cute." --Susan J., NetGalley-Reviewer

"This book is the perfect CATS 101 for anyone considering bringing a cat into their life. It is a book focused on children, but I consider that this information is very well presented and could be useful to all types of people. It is a realistic guide because at the end of the day you are bringing a living creature into your home that needs a lot of care and affection, it's a huge responsibility and it's nice to know in advance the kind of situations you might run into." --Arianna A., NetGalley-Reviewer

"As a cat lover, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Educational if you have never had a cat for a pet. The facts of kittens to full grown cats was exact. Even though I have had cats my entire life, I loved how the author helped me to recall how cute kittens were, but how adventurous and mischievous they can be, especially at night when you are trying to sleep. This would be a great book for a young person to let them know what owning a cat entails. The text is accompanied by adorable drawings of a child and cats placed into situations discussed in the book." --NetGalley-Reviewer

"This is a very cute little book for kids about how to take care of a cat. Start with a plant! Loved the illustrations. The writing was great and easy to read. Great book for kids who want a cat." --Maggie L., NetGalley-Librarian

"It's part story, part advice book, as the little girl presents a problem and the story gives a solution (for instance, getting kitty a scratching post for her claws). The illustrations are cute and comic style." --Molly B., NetGalley-Librarian

"Outstanding book for anyone with a cat or thinking about getting a cat. Plenty of information in this book and it's delivered with wit and humor. Tips for taking care of a cat or why they do certain things." --Susan F., NetGalley-Reviewer

"This is a cute book that would be great for helping kids understand what a cat needs and why cats do some of their strange behaviors." --Becca D., NetGalley-Educator

"What a cute book! I love my two cats and I know I have plenty of patrons at the library who love their cats, so I'm sure they'd love this book!" --Robin F., NetGalley-Librarian

"This is a great book for a child that is getting a cat for the first time. The way it is written is so cute and also very informative. It gives good tips on how you should raise a cat. I like how in the beginning, a plant was used to show that they were responsible and ready for a pet." --Summer B., NetGalley-Reviewer

"This book is a great guide to show children that not everything about having a cat is fun. They need to be able to do work to help their parents with having a cat. I could see children using this book to guide them when they are asking their parents for a pet cat." --NetGalley-Educator

"A wonderful introductory guide to cat ownership that is educational and heartwarming. The fun comic-style illustrations support a question and answer format, filled with lots of great information on the pros and cons of cat care for young children. End pages include funny detailed illustrations on feline communication that are sure to be read over and over." --Julie Durmis, L.G. Nourse Elementary School, Youth Services Book Review

"I liked this book!! The little girl in Cats Are Great But... by Stepanka Sekaninova, illustrated by Adam Wolf wants a cat really badly, but how can she convince her parents to let her get a cat? The girl and reader learn a lot about cats in this book. I learned a lot about cats from this book. This is a great book to help other kids understand their cats too. I hope other kids read this so they can better understand their cat and why they act the way they do." --Kids Book Buzz

"Great read! I enjoyed it! If your child wants to get a cat, you may want to have them read this book first." --Rebecca Hill, Blogger

"This is a very cute book that's all about the complexities of caring for pet cats, directed at a young audience. I enjoyed it, and learnt a few more things myself. Highly recommended for carers of children to buy and read together before committing to getting a cat." --Shonatiger, Blogger

"Ah. File these two little books into the Why Didn't I Think of That? category. These books are all about what taking care of a pet entails. The various responsibilities are the name of the game, covering the bad, sure, but also the good. The message they're drilling into young readers? Taking care of a pet isn't always easy. Nonfiction like this is such a good idea. I tip my hat to the creators." --A fuse 8 production

"CATS ARE GREAT BUT (. ) is the perfect "get to know cats" guide for families expecting to add a new member at any point in the future. I like how this frames the text around simple questions that kids would naturally ask. And the illustrations are a hoot!" --Picturebook Playdate IG

"Similarly, Cats Are Great But introduces kids to the basics of cat ownership in the same format as Dogs are Great But. Either, or both, of these books would be great to read with a child before getting a pet so they know what to expect." --Kids Read the World, IG

"An awesome book match that helps young readers get to know the ins and outs of pet ownership. For having a furry companion is a joy and a privilege but it is also ALOT of work. We love these smart and funny books that break down how amazing and great dogs and cats really are." --Three Little Loves Library, IG

About the Author

Stepanka Sekaninova used to work as a TV reporter and in the production of children's programs. Now she is a writer and an editor-in-chief, living in the Czech Republic.

Adam Wolf is a self-taught artist with a wide range of artistic skills including analog and digital photography, tattooing, digital and classical illustration, and canvas painting. Having been interested in various creative activities since his early years, he studied photography at the Prague School of Photography, and these days he enjoys illustrating children's books. He was born in Pardubice, Czech Republic in 1981.