A CAT LIKE THAT

A jaunty kitty parades through her seaside town, greeting friends and neighbors until she locates one special pal.

“A cat. / A cat. // A big, round cat. // Have you ever seen / a cat like that?” Anchored by an infectious and eminently chantable refrain, this succinct rhyming story is an ideal toddler read-aloud. A minimal plot follows a regal black-and-white feline as she ambles through the day, visiting a fire station, a bustling downtown, the fishing docks, and finally the school, where she waits for her light-skinned young owner. The text’s pacing is smooth, and the rhymes never feel forced. Tidy, full-bleed digital illustrations use light and shadow deftly, and the canvaslike texture gives the art a timeless feel. A light, beachy palette captures the town’s seashore vibes. Varied perspectives keep the pages feeling fresh, including spreads at cat’s-eye level or scenes showing the streets from above, along with a dotted-line map of the feline’s wanderings. These images contrast beautifully with close-ups that highlight the cat’s expressions as she bats a butterfly or smacks her wee kitty tongue. The ending feels a bit abrupt—after so much waiting, readers might wish to see more of the happy reunion between cat and child—but that’s a minor quibble. The town is filled with diverse residents.

This simple yet skillful rhyming book is the cat’s meow.