Member Reviews

I love that we're publishing books translated from other languages. I loved the artwork of this book: so inviting, such interesting perspectives. A total homerun.

Was this review helpful?

The illustrations are to die for! Atmospheric, they capture the mood perfectly. This book tells the story of pushing beyond your comfort zone, especially for the sake of a friend. You never know, you might find a new thing to love if you do! I only wish the text of the story was a little more whimsical to match the narrative.

Was this review helpful?

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Cat Way is an absolutely beautiful illustrated children's picture book perfect for children and cat lovers alike.
The story follows a cat and their human as they go for their usual daily walk. But this day is different, and cat finds a friend that they want to play with and other humans they want to interact with. The human gets jealous and cross with cat, and they end up separating. When they get home, they decide to let cat be in charge of their daily walk the next day for a change. When they set out their walk is completely different; going to new places, seeing new things. The human gets scared then upset before finally seeing the beauty around them that they'd have never seen without cat.
This book teaches that sometimes, even leaders need to stop and travel in another's shoes to see things from another perception.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. and Sara Lundberg for the early access copy of The Cat Way.

The Cat Way is a story of an owner and their cat going for walks, one day going with the human path, the next following the cat's path. This is a beautifully illustrated story that can be used as a tool for elementary school students to discuss different perspectives, components of a book, and compromising.

Was this review helpful?

Are you a cat lover? Cat lover with human kids?

THEN, BUY THIS BOOK!!

A lovely tale of a cat and her human going together on walks, one day led by the human and another by the cat.

Both lead to different destinations and different conclusions. One meanders and stops to look at the daisies, the other goes straight to the goal with little time for much else.

The author and illustrator certainly know cats and their habits and behaviour. The book is full of absolutely adorable cat illustrations that depict this deep understanding. The cat is so typically cat, she is perfect. Yes, I'm a cat lover.

A perfect book for cat lovers, would-be cat lovers and young children. It works both as a classroom story or a story told at home, or at bed time.

The book also teaches us to look at life from perspectives other than one's own; to stop and smell the roses, watch the grass grow, watch a cat chase a butterfly and see the stars come out one by one.

Heartily recommended for the kiddos in your life.

I received an ARC copy to review, thanks to @NetGalley, and @Wm B Erdmans Publishing Company. I loved the book, and the opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #TheCatWay #SaraLundberg #WmBErdmansPublishingCompany .

Was this review helpful?

A good message, but the delivery felt a bit flat—slow and not particularly engaging. Like the story, the art, for me, felt a bit middle of the road.

An okay read, with a good message.

Was this review helpful?

Have you ever heard something about kids like “If we include our children, they might slow you down, but maybe that´s the point”?

There’s a lesson about this statement for parents, for sure. But if what if we could extend it for our pets? Say… a cat?

Of course this is fictional, in its best form: childrens fiction books.

Everyday a cat and her human go for a walk, guided by the human. But the cat wants a turn leading their way.

The feelings both from the cat and the human are so well expressed not only by the words, but also by all the beautiful and contrasting colors of the illustrations. I love especially when they emphasize the cat’s expression, with a zoom in her face, looking straight to her human, and the the human standing in the rain, then the sequence of the weather getting worse, but my favourite is the surprise in the human’s face. The lights and shadows in the right places make the scene magical.

Besides, there’s this double meaning title, which holds the interpretation both to the cat’s way of doing things and to the path she chooses. Either way (sorry for my choice of word now), it was really pleasure to follow the cat’s lead.

I would love to read this book to my son when printed. I can imagine him having so much fun and paying so much attettion to the all the bright colors of its illustrations.

Was this review helpful?

A big thank you to NetGalley and the Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 out of 5 stars.

'The Cat Way' by Sara Lundberg is a beautiful book about a human and it's cat owner. They like to go for walks, but the cat is in charge.

Children would really enjoy this book and the art was incredible, but it felt a little chunky and slow for me. I am not saying the kids won't lobe it, but unless you're really bubbly just know the entertainment needs to come from you for this. Lots of cute voices and cat noises should do it.

The font is a little hard to see sometimes, but in general: this is a lovely book.

It would be good in any little library.

Was this review helpful?

"So we stand there, glaring at one another, my cat and I.
We stand like that for a long time.
Finally she says,
"Why are you always in charge?"
The Cat's Way is an illustrated children's book about a girl who like to walk her cat, and they always do the exact same thing because that's what the human wants.
But the cat isn't happy with this and wants to be the one who is in charge of what they do for a change. The book looks at the walk from the perspective of the human first where the cat is unhappy and ends up going home alone, and then the cat's where the human is unhappy but the cat is thrilled.
It is a cute book that examines what it means to communicate and compromise with your loved ones/ friends. The illustrations are beautifully detailed and intricate and the story itself makes sense is enjoyable to read and look at more than once. I got this book as an ebook arc copy from netgalley but would actually recommend this as a physical copy purchase for someone with young children and cats under the age of 5.

Was this review helpful?

Cute simple picture book. I loved the different perspective. Great book for a writing prompt or discussion.

Was this review helpful?

The Cat Way is a picture book in two parts. The first part follows a cat and her owner as the owner leads the way. Obstacles quickly pop up and the cat gets separated and the owner worries before being reunited at home. In the second part the owner lets the cat lead the way on their walk. The art is unique and more abstracted with the use of watercolors. I'm sure children with any interest in cats will enjoy this, and it can be a conversation starter as well.

Was this review helpful?

The Cat Way features adorable, whimsical illustrations that will surely delight young readers. However, while the artwork is charming, the story itself felt lacking in depth, and the writing didn’t quite capture my attention. It’s visually appealing, but the narrative fell a bit flat for me.

Was this review helpful?

This is a sweet, and unique illustrated book. I definitely felt like this was an illustrated book that’s intended as a children’s book rather than the style that’s illustrated yet more geared to grown ups.

There’s a nice message here about listening to a cat’s wants and needs rather than just doing everything your way. I think that’s a great message for everyone to learn.

I think it’s probably worth mentioning that the cat in the book is outside without a collar or leash or anything. I feel like this might provoke cause conversations with kids about why their cat isn’t allowed outside. I’m overthinking a kids’ book here because I have indoor only cats and I don’t have kids.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. This book is sweet, it has a nice message and I enjoyed that the cat in the book kind of resembles some of mine :)

Was this review helpful?