Member Reviews

This is so cute and wholesome and made me think of my husband and his coffee addiction and my own mental health. I actually really enjoyed this and would totally allow my children to read this (they might also think their dad is in the book with all the coffee talk.. hmm he would be the Penguin lol) The way Matt wrote this was stunning and a unique way to show the importance of mental health and believing in yourself.

Was this review helpful?

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Adorable cat's cafe book written in graphic novel form. Perfect gift for all the cat lovers in your life.

Was this review helpful?

Cat’s Café is open to everyone, and every day, Cat is busy brewing happiness and comfort for his customers: Penguin the coffee lover/addict is usually first to arrive, sometimes with fellow flightless bird Kiwi, whose tiny form contains a huge imagination. (And sometimes Kiwi has a huge knife. It’s both very cute and very unsettling.) Rabbit the new barista is still working on learning the ropes (and dealing with their anxiety), but Cat is a good mentor and friend: he works hard getting coffee orders to everyone, regardless of size, shape, or even if they happen to be a giant monster that can shoot electricity out of its mouth.

The animals that come to Cat’s Café aren’t just looking for a tasty drink and a quiet place to work or study: they’re also learning to practice self-care and take a break when they need one. (Cat’s still working on that too.) Axolotl is cool and generous, and he makes everyone feel better, just by being himself. Platy is always busy delivering the mail, and their friends notice and appreciate their hard work. And though everyone gets down sometimes, Snake is learning that friends can really make things better; Possum is trying to be as kind to himself as he is to others; while Hyena is still working on asking for help. This sweet webcomic about cute animals is also a wonderful collection about friendship, mental health, and the power of community–and coffee.

Was this review helpful?

Such a warm feel good graphic novel. The animal characters are adorable and the story is cute and charming. It may seem on the surface to be very child oriented but I believe that adults and teens will equally enjoy it. Also, the book addressed things like depression, loneliness, and anxiety in a gentle and understanding way.

Was this review helpful?

I received an advance digital copy of this book from the author, publisher and NetGalley. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I am a huge Cat's Cafe follower. I love the cartoon style of Mr, Tarpley. His amazing cast of characters are all too human for being delightfully drawn animals. Cute, caring, funny and empathic, Cat's Cafe is an excellent addition to any library!

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Cat’s Cafe is another webcomic that is getting a print edition. It started in December 2017, with strips being posted twice-a-week for the most part. It is about a cat that opens a small cafe and serves coffee to the resident animals of the small town. It seems like a simple premise, but it's the characters that set this series apart.

Cat’s Cafe is not just a place to go to get coffee. It is a place to go to find acceptance, friendship and support. Cat, the proprietor, is always there to give their customers the boost they need, whether it is coffee to get them going or an ear to listen, or shoulder to cry on. Working in the cafe with them is Rabbit, who suffers from anxiety, but who can rely on Cat to help them through.

The customers are just as helpful as the staff. Penguin can be counted on to always drink ALL the coffee. With them is a little pink kiwi bird who loves to sleep in coffee cups. Snake just wants to make a friend. Alligator is an artist with a crush on Cat. Chipper is a chipmunk who is aggressively friendly, and Hyena, who has too many self doubts to laugh. They all help and support one another with simple kindness. Not letting anyone be alone, offering words of encouragement, or just letting them know it's okay to cry. Letting them know it's okay to be them.

The one word used most to describe this series is wholesome, which is actually pretty accurate. The series looks at different mental-health issues and translates the often complex emotions into easily relatable ones. It's positive and upbeat without feeling contrived or forced, like those motivational posters that were popular in the 90s. It makes you feel good because it's a place where you are accepted, no matter who you are or how you feel.

Cat’s Cafe has turned out to be another title that is soothing to the soul. I wasn’t looking for another feel good comic when I found it, but having read it, I’m glad I did. The stories are short and stand alone, going maybe 5-6 panels, but they convey their feelings with clarity, and always end on a positive note. The art matches the tone. The characters are cute and simply drawn, but every one is as distinct as their personality. If you are ever in need of warm fuzzies, this is the book for you.

Was this review helpful?

So wholesome! This book really brightens your day when you’re down and brings a bit of light to the darkness. Also, the art is so dang cute!

Was this review helpful?

Cat's Cafe is a heartwarming collection of comics that involves animal characters, some of who are experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety. The vignettes of the friendship between the animals, their thoughts and feelings, and how they support each other help to destigmatize mental health concerns and encourage readers to not keep silent about their feelings.

Was this review helpful?

Welcome to Cat’s Café, a neighborhood coffee shop where all are welcome! Based on the popular webcomic, Cat’s Café introduces readers to the adorable denizens of this world. There's Penguin, who has a bit of a coffee problem; Rabbit, whose anxiety sometimes overwhelms him; Axolotl, whose confidence inspires his friends; the always-supportive Cat, who provides hot drinks made with love and a supportive ear for anyone's troubles; and many, many more.

Was this review helpful?

Everyone who is a cat lover will enjoy this one!

I was provided an advanced digital copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes, all opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This was a fast but very enjoyable read. I needed a pick me up during the early days of quarantine and this was just the right balance of normalcy and humor to pick up my spirits. While it does tackle topics like anxiety and insecurity, it does so in a fully relatable way. I was struck by how much some of the comics resonated with me and made me think a little deeper. Definitely would recommend if you are looking for a quick read that makes you feel good!

Was this review helpful?

Adorable, heartwarming comic book with lots of cute characters. The illustrations are very charming, it is definitely a worthwhile collection of comics and I would recommend it to a few friends.

Was this review helpful?

Unable to download before archived as my tablet was damaged and I had been unable to afford a new one until recently. Apologies.

Was this review helpful?

A gorgeously drawn graphic novel with an interesting narrative, plot, and concepts. Definitely recommended for fans of this genre.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars.

This comic style is somewhat similar to the 4-coma manga. The story is short and simple with a cute artstyle. Most ones were quirky and funny while the rest were about self-acceptance and mental issues with some inspirational moments. My favorite characters were the penguin and the duck!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

An adorable collection of comics that can be enjoyed by all. Matt Tarpley has a unique illustration style that really brings the characters to life on the page. You will definitely laugh more than once reading this collection.

Was this review helpful?

This made me feel all the feels! It's cute and funny and I want to hang out at Cat's Cafe and be friends with all the patrons! What a wonderful group of friends- they take care of each other because they care about each other, and there's always someone who will give support to those who need it. A lot of the animals here have some type of mental illness or issue- anxiety, low self esteem, difficulty making friends or reaching out to people, not being able to ask for help- and all these things and more are handled with kindness, support, and love, and I can't think of a better example of squad goals than this. The issues are relatable, the artwork is adorable, the feels are predominately warm and fuzzy- there are sad moments when you want to help whichever character is in need, but they get help, and we're even invited to help one of the characters too! Big love for this book, so much squee!

#CatsCafe #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

This book has a series of comics, each about one page long, about a café run by a cat. All kinds of different animals go to the café, including a penguin, an elephant, and a snake. They each have their own problems and challenges in life, but they can all be themselves at the Cat Café.

There were some hilarious comics that really made me laugh. The penguin loved coffee. He asked for the biggest size, so that he could sit in it. Another funny comic was when an armadillo thought that a five out of five rating wasn’t right for the café. He thought it should be six or seven out of five, because it was so good.

Many of the comics were also about mental health and self esteem. The snake was quite lonely. One day, someone asked if the seat at his table was free, and he got excited because he though they would sit with him. When they took it away to their table, he was disappointed until they invited him to sit with them. These comics use real life examples to teach kids about mental health. The animals in the comics make them universal characters.

I really enjoyed this comic collection!

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A cute comic, but not my favorite. There doesn't seem to be anything that compels you to read the book straight through. Might be better as a web comic in small snap shots.

Was this review helpful?

I love cats. I love comics. I just cannot let this go unread.

This is wayyy too cute to pass up. I love it. The artstyle is very simple and cute.

Was this review helpful?