I Really Want to be a Cat

Many adult owners have looked at their pets and reflected on how much easier their lives appear to be.  This book takes that idea much further exploring the many attractions of life as a cat.

The narrator is a young girl who watches her pet cat throughout the day and to the surprise of her feline friend mimics him too, even squeezing through the cat flap for adventures.  She envies her cat who has, it seems, all the time in the world to do what it wants. She reflects that cats can curl and stretch, sneak and pounce, come and go as they please and are not criticised for trivial things such as bad table manners. They seem to have lots of fun too and are fearless and adventurous, but always remember to return home for mealtimes.  There is only one thing that doesn’t appeal to our young narrator and that is cats’ personal hygiene routine with its emphasis on licking.

Very well observed, in both the artwork and commentary and with touches of humour this is an enjoyable exploration of the everyday lives of domestic cats which cat lovers both young and much older will relate to.