Parents' Guide to

They All Saw a Cat

By Jan Carr, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Everyone sees differently in clever look at point of view.

Book Brendan Wenzel Picture Book 2016
They All Saw a Cat Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 4+

Based on 1 parent review

Jamie B.
Jamie B. Parent of 3-year-old
April 3, 2018
age 4+

This title has:

Educational value
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

THEY ALL SAW A CAT follows a belled house cat as it walks "through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws." After a young child pets it, it's seen by a dog, then a fox, a fish, a mouse, a bee, a bird, a flea, a snake, a skunk, a worm, and a bat, each providing an opportunity for the cat to show the unique perspective of the animal that's viewing it. Finally the cat "came to the water," and the reader is invited to "imagine what it saw" when it peered in.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

A sleek prowling cat is seen by other animals -- some predator, some prey, each with a distinct point of view -- in this artfully simple story that's a powerful meditation on perception. Since young kids are developmentally egocentric, not because they're selfish but because they haven't yet developed the ability to consider other points of view, They All Saw a Cat can be an excellent introduction to the concept that we all see the world from our own unique perspective. It might even prompt a kid's "aha!" moment.

The rhythmic text makes for a mesmerizing read-aloud, and the art varies wildly with each perspective, while introducing scientific concepts such as a bee's pixelated mosaic-like vision and a bat's echolocation. This smart, thoughtful book is a pleasure for kids and parents alike.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the various perspectives in They All Saw a Cat. Why is the fish's perspective blurry? Why does the cat look like a looming monster to the mouse?

  • How does the illustrator use color and size and line to show perspective?

  • How does the cat see the other creatures? How does it see a mouse, a dog, a fox, and a bird?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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