Book Descriptions
for What If I'm Not a Cat? by Kari-Lynn Winters and Kelly Collier
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
A farmer’s goodnight to the many cats in her barn has led to some confusion on the part of the donkey who also lives there. Donkey “knew he was a cat because Farmer had said so.” Donkey’s catlike behavior—pouncing, perching in high places, climbing trees, catching mice—does not always come naturally to him. But Donkey knows he’s young and still learning. While Donkey is sitting on Farmer’s lap for a cuddle, Farmer tells him he’s acting like a cat. “Obviously,” Donkey thinks. “I AM a cat! A spiffy, strong cat!” Still, when he compares his appearance to the rest of the litter, he begins to wonder. It leads to a sleepless night during which Donkey’s heroic intervention to rescue a hapless wandering kitten from a fox leads to the certainty he’s been searching for. The farmyard identity crisis isn’t an original plotline, but it’s delivered here with an abundance of humor and visual charm. (Ages 3-7)
CCBC Choices 2024. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2024. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
A sweet, funny story about identity - and knowing where we belong. Why, of course Donkey’s a cat. He licks his fur, pounces and perches in high places, just like the other cats on the farm. Though, sometimes, he does feel … a little off. So, when Farmer says to him, “Donkey, you’re acting like a cat!” it gets him thinking. What if he’s not a cat? And if not, then what is he? Will going off on his own help Donkey figure out what he is and where he belongs? Cat or not, any litter would be thrilled to have this lovable Donkey in their barnyard!
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.