Cat Secrets

The feline narrator of this amusing picture-book from author/artist Jef Czekaj at first demands that all non-cats stop reading the story, instituting a series of tests when it is brought to his attention that not everyone has obeyed his instructions. Can the reader meow like a cat? Can they purr? What about cat-like stretching - can they do that? In the end, it seems as if the reader is indeed a cat, one that is prompted to join the felines in the story in a nap...

The reader/listener never does find out what those eponymous 'cat secrets' are, although the little mouse who's been trying throughout the story to abscond with the volume of secrets held by the narrator, does succeed in the end. This additional layer of story, available only show more in the artwork, adds to the entertainment provided by Cat Secrets, a meta-fictional tale in which the narrator addresses the reader directly, and involves them in the story. Czejak's cartoon-like artwork, although not really my cup of tea, is colorful and amusing, capturing the humor of the story. Recommended to all young cat lovers, as well as to anyone looking for meta-fictional picture-books. show less

I knew my story time kids who love [b:Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus|191113|Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!|Mo Willems|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41CXCQ43DBL._SL75_.jpg|884960] would love this and they totally did. They were practically knocking each other over to check it out after story time. One of them even yelled, "I want to check this out!" right in the middle of the story. The ending is a little anti-climactic, but otherwise it works really well.

Books are a wonderful way to guide and mold children. It's also a way to help them expand their imaginations, play and pretend. Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj is all about pretending to be a cat.

The cats inside the book are protecting their own book, a book of secrets. Their book is a handbook for being a cat — the stuff you'll need to know beyond purring, napping, and meowing. But before you can learn to extra special things a cat needs to know, you, dear reader, have to prove that you are a cat.

Now if this were a book about tricking a group of people to get their secrets, then it would be a book about lying. That wouldn't be cool. But this is about cats. Cats are silly creatures. I don't know about you, but my cats, are already convinced show more I'm a cat, or that they're people. So asking young children if they can pretend to be a cat, especially if they already live with cats, is both good and fun.

The interrogation by the cats in the book lends itself to group reading. I can easily see a room full of giggling children trying to be cats during story time. show less

I actually read this one a little while back at the recommendation of a young patron of my library that said it was really funny and cute. I have to say, I agree with her on those sentiments! It’s a more interactive type picture book where the characters are talking about the reader and it’s a good one to get younger kids’ attention and laughs.

Honestly, there really isn't much too this book, but the idea of this might be one of the cutest things I have read. I really like how this book is all dialogue. The cats are talking to you the entire time. For example, it starts out with the cat saying, "STOP! Stop reading right now! This is for CATS ONLY!" I also really love the humor to this book. For example, they go through everyone who cant read the book, (bird, dog, snake, fish, girl, bear, boy, & ESPECIALLY MICE) and then on the next page, one of the cats says, "no peeking elephants!" I also like how this book can keep children engaged, the cats "test" the reader to see if they are really cats. They do things like, "if you are REALLY a cat, let's hear your meow," and, "I'm still show more not convinced. Let's hear them PURR," and the next page or two will show their reaction to your "meow" or "purr."

There is no big message or idea to this book. This is simply just a fun book for children to read. As stated before, it is very interactive with the reader and at the end of the book the cats ask the reader to take a "cat nap" and they end up falling asleep and a mouse comes and steals the book of "cat secrets." show less

Really cute, but didn't work quite as well as I'd hoped in storytime. I ended up having to add quite a bit of narration, which was awkward! I think the problem is that there are too many panels per page, which makes it difficult for children to follow the narrative. I probably wouldn't use it again for this purpose. Still, definitely recommended for older preschoolers or early elementary.

Cat Secrets, in my opinion, is a perfect children’s book that conveys cats in a hysterical way for children to get a good laugh out. The writing, language usage, as well as the illustrations, all allow this book to have a whole classroom of children giggling.

The writing style is most definitely engaging for all age groups. The humor, as the cats are telling the readers that only cats can read this book, even had me laughing. For example, the main cat speaking throughout the book says, “Okay, if you’re really a cat, let’s hear you meow.” Now the illustrations support the writing 100%. To go along with that quote, when you turn the page, and after meowing, the cats have an expression on their faces like they are astonished; and show more there are no words, their expressions say it all. Throughout the whole book the cats express the same attitudes: surprised, and again the illustrations support all the writing. The language is simple and clear; very easy for a young reader. Here is a quote to support my opinion, “How do we know if they are cats or not? We can test them! But how?” Majority of the words are all sight words, making it an engaging book for the young readers. The book follows a pattern. A pattern of what to expect. The young children can expect, or guess, what the cats are going to say and how they are going to react.

In conclusion, the book is a great children’s book. It can easily engage readers and brighten their faces with a smile! show less