Why Does the Cat Do That? [Hardcover]

Susan Bonners (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1998 | Age Level: 7 and up

Why do cats rub up against furniture? Why do they like to hide in bags? What makes them purr? These are just some of the questions answered in this fascinating and informative picture book on feline behavior.

Through the inventive narrative, young readers examine the instincts of the common house cat. The text works on two levels: it describes a day in the life of a pet cat named Molly, and then explains the scientific basis for all of her actions. Some of the most ordinary cat antics, like pouncing on a toy or scratching against an object, are deeply rooted in the behavior of wild ancestors. Susan Bonners expertly explains why our beloved pets act the curious way they do.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A house cat's behavior comes under scrutiny in this hybrid of storybook and nonfiction. Bob, apparently a teenager, arrives to house-sit for the Fosters and take care of their pet, Molly. On a typical spread, the left page is devoted to Bob's observations of Molly's seemingly odd behavior, while the facing page explains it (e.g., Bob offers an obviously interested Molly a piece of his chicken, but she ignores it?until he throws it toward her bowl; the author explains that cats' vision is attuned more to motion than to color). Among the topics Bonners (Hunter in the Snow: The Lynx) addresses are a cat's sleep patterns, sense of smell and demonstrations of contentment. The information is relayed efficiently but not compellingly. Although Bonners's watercolor renderings of Molly and other types of cats appear in washed-out spots, they are for the most part lifelike and relay a great deal of information. Unfortunately the jerky transitions of the fictional narrative, as well as its lack of real story, make this book primarily for cat watchers. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-Bonners uses a two-part approach to explain feline behavior. On one side of the page she introduces Bob, a young man who is pet-sitting for a cat. Not familiar with these animals, he constantly wonders about Molly's actions. On the opposite page, the author presents a scientific explanation of each behavior. Small watercolor-and-ink drawings appear on both sides of the page. The information is boxed and set off by a different typeface. The pictures on these pages show a mix of wild and domestic cats; the wild species (e.g., a cougar, a lion, and a lynx) are named but breeds are not provided for the domestic cats. This inconsistent labeling as well as the switching back and forth from story to fact might be confusing to children. Still, the information is accurate and presented in an unusual way. The book will leave readers informed but still curious. Perhaps that's why Bob is shown on the last page browsing through a title on cat behavior. One book on these fascinating creatures isn't enough.
Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805043772
• ISBN-13: 978-0805043778
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,690,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever mixture of fact and fiction, June 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Does the Cat Do That? (Hardcover)

Susan Bonners' pictures and words are a fascinating introduction to cat psychology and sociology. When Bob comes to cat-sit for Molly and house-sit for the Fosters' house, he is intrigued by many facets of the cat's behavior. On alternate pages, Bonners explains the roots of Molly's actions. The action pictures of Molly, as well as of other wild and domestic cats, are delightful. Kids will love understanding their cat, and explaining its behavior (probably at length) to any adult who will listen.

At the end of the story, Bob gets a book about cat behavior from the library. Oh, Ms. Bonners, why didn't you have him get WHY DOES THE CAT DO THAT?

3.0 out of 5 stars May not hold every reader's interest, July 6, 2005

By 

K. Wilson (Upstate NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Does the Cat Do That? (Hardcover)

Why Does the Cat Do That? is a combination fiction and nonfiction picture book. Bob, who has never had a cat and is unfamiliar with cat behavior, is housesitting for the Fosters and taking care of their cat, Molly. Each time Bob interacts with Molly and comments on her behavior, the book follows with a section explaining the cat's behavior and relating it to her ancestor cats of the wild. For example, Bob observes Molly clawing the door frame rather than her scratching post and then the book goes on to explain why a cat scratches an object. The transition back and forth from fiction to nonfiction is a creative way to interest children in nonfiction books, but this format can be confusing at times and the book might not easily hold everyone's interest.

I would recommend this book for ages 6 through 9. Children in this age group will enjoy learning more about a subject they may be familiar with already. I would share this book with children after a lesson about house cats and their ancestors. The illustrations, which were created with watercolor and ink on Fabriano hot-pressed paper, do a wonderful job of adding a visual element to the text. While plain, the images of the cats are realistic and demonstrate the natural beauty of cats.