As a cat mom to three adorable kitties, cats in kid lit hold a special place in my heart. Even if you’re a dog person, you can’t deny the incredible power of cats. They make the best protagonists and sidekicks around. Their lovable, curious, and sometimes mischievous nature causes engaging plots. Here’s my list of the greatest cats featured in children’s books.
Pete the Cat by James Dean
Pete the Cat has taken the world by storm. Featured in over 100 books, he is nothing less than a kid-lit star. The book series, originally written by James Dean, has even been adapted into a cartoon show with fun songs. Pete is a groovy, laid-back feline with an affinity for shoes, and he has a large group of friends who join him on his adventures. There is never a dull moment with this blue kitty.
Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault
There’s more to Puss in Boots than what you’ve seen on Shrek. Based on the old fairy tale by Charles Perrault, Puss is a clever anthropomorphic cat. After his owner’s dad passes away, Puss makes it his mission to take care of him. He starts out by wearing red boots and walking on his hind legs. He hunts for the king and ultimately comes up with a plan to make his owner prince. Somewhere along the way, the creators gave Puss a sword and a Spanish accent, but I think the original story is best.
Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
Bad Kitty is a black housecat who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Nick Bruel’s story includes the classic trope of a cat and dog rivalry, with hilarious hijinks all throughout. Unlike Pete the Cat, Bad Kitty is grouchy most of the time, but that’s only because her cat food is never up to her standards. This series is perfect for kids in grades two to four.
Cat & Cat Adventures by Susie Yi
Ginny and Squash are the coolest magical duo. Once their owners go to work, it’s time for them to go on their quest for infinite snacks. Their plan works pretty well until the last ingredient of their potion cannot be found. With disability rep via a cat with one eye, this story is so cute and just the thing for little cat lovers.
Floof by Heidi McKinnon
Floof is a fluffy kitty, but don’t be fooled, he’s not lazy. He has lots of important work. Like knocking over the vase, scratching up the toilet paper, and lying on the computer keyboard. He truly encapsulates what it means to be a playful furball.
Warriors by Erin Hunter
The Warriors series is an epic look into the life of feral cats. In contrast to the other books above, the Warrior Cats don’t have human owners (affectionately called “nofurs”). There are five clans in the Warriors universe: ThunderClan, WindClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan, and SkyClan. All of the cats follow the Warrior Code and they even have their own religious beliefs. If you’re into badass cat battles, this is the series for you!
As the famous Terry Pratchett would say,
“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.”
Let’s treat them as such! Celebrate cats by reading one of these fabulous books!
Looking for more iconic cats? Find them here.
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