My Cat Looks Like My Dad

Cat fans, take a moment to enjoy this book! The first spread showing how the cat and dad look alike will have you grinning, following pages demonstrating how they’re similar will make that smile grow. (Mom picking up after them. Enjoys boxes. Fear of heights.) It’s always a plus when a kids book has added humor that adults can enjoy and this book does that, with a unique ending. As an added plus, the artwork is phenomenal (what does your workspace look like Ms. Lam?) and mirrors that of prior titles (which are equally imaginative). I’m a new fan, thanks!

Lam’s book is written for three to seven-year-olds and hits that target exquisitely. Using simple sentences that compare the cat to the narrator’s father, Lam paints the family’s picture. The narrator looks more like Mom.

I especially loved how Lam painted the Dad as imperfect. He is scared of heights, sometimes scared of the dark (especially when there is a skunk in the garbage can) and fails to replace the toilet paper roll.

The illustrations are pretty, but personally I think I would be frightened if I saw my father in yoga pants napping on the couch.

The funniest part of the book comes when it is revealed that the narrator is the family’s bird. The hierarchy in the family goes Mom and Dad, then the bird. Throughout the story, the cat is referred to as “my cat.”

Families truly do come in all shapes, sizes, and even species.

This quirky book uses unique, beautiful collage-style art to compare a father and a cat. I was most impressed by the art and thought the concept was original and cute (I've heard of people looking like their dogs, but this cat comparison to dads was new to me!... *goes to look at my own cats to compare with a photo of my dad*).

While this book has a playful vibe, it doesn't feel too silly and it comes back around to how we choose our families and how families are unique.

I can see this being an awesome, unexpected mentor text especially for the beginning of the year or a part. I could also see it as part of a family unit to keep the conversation fun and light, and allow for kids to bring pets into the conversation if that is who they particularly connect to in their family. I can also see this being used in art classes in a million ways -- I am most excited about sharing this with my art teacher friends.

Quirky, great art, and a loop back to celebrating our wackadoodle families-- I'm here for it.

My Cat Looks Like My Dad is a quirky cute perfect children's book. It has a 'blended family' theme I can relate to as my cats are my children. The graphics have a classic 70s/80s feel to them. They made me reminiscent of my childhood.

As a final note, I whole-heartedly support children's books including more cats. I'll be adding this book to my collection. 😻💕📚

Thank you Owlkids Books for allowing me to review this book.

My Cat Looks Like My Dad by Thao Lam is a wonderfully illustrated book for anyone that loves animals. This is a wonderful story about the meaning of family and how we treat our family pets.

Simple sentence structure and color illustrations will leave the target audience completely engaged from cover to end.

I would highly recommend this book for classrooms and your personal library. The fun, quirky text, and bold retro style illustrations will guarantee that you will want to read this book again and again.

You need to read this carefully as there’s a twist at the end that is quite easy to miss (I had to reread it myself because I was going too quickly the first time to fully get it). You have to pay close attention at the end to figure out who the narrator is. Some families will find this book uproariously funny if they have a family member and a pet who also share similar traits. I thought it was cute and somewhat funny, but I think it will have a hit or miss audience. Either readers will absolutely love it or they’ll find it somewhat entertaining but forgettable. It is a great book to use when introducing kids to comparing and contrasting though. And I'm sure littles will find many of the illustrations of the dad and cat doing things like stretching together and getting their tummies rubbed giggle-worthy. Tham’s collage illustrations are on point and I really like them. We will likely add this book to our library because we love to have books by authors and illustrators of Asian descent for our predominantly Asian international school students. Recommended to families with pets who remind them of a family member, those who like collage art, kids practicing their compare/contrast skills, and those who enjoy books with tricksy endings.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with a book called "My Cat Looks Like My Dad" but the Dad kind of reminded me of my Dad (though we have never had a cat) so I had to give it a go. In addition to this author's Dad looking like their cat and vice versa, they also seem to have a lot of other things in common - like what they like to eat and drink and how they spend their day! While the story may be a bit on the stranger side, the illustrations were a lot of fun to look at. They looked like they may have been made of paper piecing and some really, really cool patterned paper at that. (The Dad's outfits are really retro and fun!) I really ended up enjoying this book a lot.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated. This book will be published April 15 from Owlkids Books.

What is a family you may ask? Defining family can be a tough thing as the word “family” alone is a powerful word that conjures up multiple different meanings and emotions. ... Some might say a family can be anything that involves love.

New from the creator of "Wallpaper and Skunk on a String" this delightful book redefines the typical family. Dad and his beloved cat share special bonds. Their grand orange coifs of hair are quite similar, they both love lapping up milk, they enjoy yoga stretches, napping together, and entertaining musical interludes woven throughout their day. Mom, on the other hand, has a completely different relationship with a certain avian who has similar funky hair, piercing crystal blue eyes and that loves to bust a move with her.

A surprising twist at the end of the story will spark giggles as it exposes just who is narrating this fun, witty tale. The stunning paper - collage illustrations bring warmth and life to the meaning of the minimal text and highlight a beautiful cameo of a modern day family for you to enjoy. Highly recommended.

This book cracked me up! In the story, the narrator compares his dad to his cat and finds they have many things in common (including their looks). The both love milk, they both start their mornings with stretches, they both take naps in the afternoon, and are afraid of heights, to name a few. Some of the similarities that the author draws made me laugh out loud, and the patterned paper collage illustrations are unique and add to the overall charm of the story. While it is lighthearted and funny, the twist at the end delivers a touching message that "family is what you make it."
As a former teacher, I always enjoy finding a book that is fun and engaging and also potentially useful in a lesson. This book could be used to teach comparing and contrasting, and I can imagine that kids with pets would have a blast writing their own personalized version of this story!

We often hear that pets and their owners resemble each other. We can see from the cover that there are some likenesses. Both Dad and the cat are ginger-haired and blue-eyed. As we read on through the book we learn they have similar tastes in foods, naps, and singing. They even share the bad habit of never replacing the toilet paper roll.

Thao Lam's collage style adds dimension to the illustrations. Some show Dad and the cat at their morning stretches on Dad's yoga mat, or Mom covering her ears as cat sings along with Dad at the piano. Others show how the narrator is similar to Mom.

Besides the wonderful scenes of Mom, Dad, and the cat - there is also a surprise ending that will have readers laughing out loud.

Great for read-alouds, bedtimes, or any other time that a book and a laugh are called for.

This children’s book is going to charm and surprise both children and adults!

Both the text and the illustrations are hilarious, while the message of the book has far-reaching implications for discussions of family and love.

The dad, a Napoleon Dynamite lookalike, in addition to his striking similarity to the cat’s appearance, is also shown partaking in many of the same activities as the cat, from drinking milk to taking naps.

The first read of this book is enlightening in terms of its content, but it truly deserves many successive reads, simply to revel in the detail of the illustrations and the variety of mediums Lam has used in crafting these amusing and colorful scenes.

Anticipate some thoughtful discussions after finishing this book with children.

Thank you to Owlkids Books and NetGalley for the advance readers copy of this title.

My Cat Looks Like My Dad – Written and illustrated by Thao Lam

Owlkids Books – Children’s Fiction – Release date: 15 April 2019

I loved this book and the fun surprise ending! Children will enjoy the colorful imagery and silliness especially with the joy of animals starring in this tale.

I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

That was a twist! A book about family. Not a traditional one, but still a family. I loved the cut-out collage illustrations!

Ahhhhhhhh!!!! I love this so much! From the art style (which I've never seen executed so well) to the content this book wraps itself around my heart and gives it a big hug. I'm blown away.

A simple but adorable story about the comparison between her dad and her cat. Great illustrations that are a collage of colors and patterns. My younger kids love the pictures and story and a simple message relays a great truth.

This is a fun book for kids and adults, which is important when you know you will be reading it over and over and over! The real gem of this book is the illustrations, enjoyable for kids and parents alike. I also like the idea of bio mimicry and this is a fun way for kids to access that animal, human connection. The best part of this book is the end, the message that family is what you make it- which is so helpful considering the diversity of what it means to be a family these days.

Super cute book about families and how even when we look different from our parents because of something like adoption we are able to still find similarities that join us together.

The narrator’s cat looks just like their dad. They even enjoy the same things, like naps and boxes! The narrator looks more like their mom— and they both love dancing. But really, a family is a family no matter how it might look.

Pet owners are often compared to their animals and, for some, the similarities run deep. That’s certainly the case here in the quirky world author/illustrator Thao Lam has produced. Through meticulous paper collage, she compares the dad and his cat practically with a wink. These two are depicted as so similar it’s almost catoonish. However, Lam’s use of soft colors on mostly white pages make her collages pop while grounding them in sentimental realness. It reads like a family scrapbook.

The text itself is sparse, letting the illustrations take most of the work. It’s effective, with only a basic sentence here and there to prod the story along as the narrator talks about their family.

What puts this book over the edge is its twist ending. With subtle clues along the way, the ending might be obvious for some. And yet, the final spread is adorably surprising, reinforcing that a family unit can be comprised of whoever so long as love binds them.

This book is adorable and full of laughs. It has the right amount of text to keep the pages turning and the illustrations are quite appealing. Kids and parents will both love this story about family.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Okay. I confess. Even though I am a Maine Coon cat, I am also just a big kid at heart. I love children’s story with cats as the main characters. I have to tell you I love this one.
Not only is the premise cute- the similarities between the author’s father and his cat, but the artwork is simply magical. I found myself smiling throughout the book at the cute pictures and words. I can see this as an addition to the bedtime books for any animal lover, especially one with kitties in the house.
It is just a sweet book. I give it five purrs and two paws up.