Best Children’s Books about Cats (2026): 5 Compared

Looking for the best children’s books about cats? This list compares several picture books about cats side by side, ranked by fit, contents, edition, value and any stated reading level.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	What Cat Is That? by Rabe	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	The Little Kitten by Killen	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Shy Little Kitten by Schurr	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Babies Love Kittens by Swift	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Little Grumpy Cat by Golden Books	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

What Cat Is That? by Rabe

Tish Rabe·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A fact-filled rhyming book about cats, from domestic cats to wild ones.

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Pros

• 48 pages: the most facts of any pick here.
• Covers domestic cats, wild cats, kittens and cubs.
• Told in Dr. Seuss's rhyming style.

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers only.
• Media tie-in format may not suit every reader.
• No illustrator is stated in the listing.

2

The Little Kitten by Killen

Nicola Killen·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A gentle Halloween story about a little kitten, by author-illustrator Nicola Killen.

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Pros

• Halloween theme suits a seasonal read-aloud.
• Author and illustrator are the same person.
• 32 pages with a grade level of Preschool - 3.

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers only.
• Halloween theme limits year-round appeal.
• Series position within My Little Animal Friend is not stated.

3

The Shy Little Kitten by Schurr

Cathleen Schurr·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A classic Little Golden Book about a shy kitten, with illustrations by Gustaf Tenggren.

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Pros

• A Little Golden Book first published in 1946.
• Illustrations by Gustaf Tenggren.
• Customer-listed reading age of 2 - 4 years.

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers only.
• No grade level is stated.
• Published September 21, 1999: an older printing.

4

Babies Love Kittens by Swift

Ginger Swift·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A lift-a-flap board book introducing babies and toddlers to kittens.

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Pros

• Lift-a-flap pages invite little hands.
• Sturdy board book format for babies.
• Customer-listed reading age of Baby - 2 years.

Cons

• Only 12 pages.
• Reading age is marked as from customers only.
• Grade level Preschool and up is above the stated reading age.

5

The Little Grumpy Cat by Golden Books

Golden Books·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Little Golden Book starring Grumpy Cat, the cat with 8 million Facebook followers.

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Pros

• Stars Grumpy Cat, a cat kids may know.
• Little Golden Book format at 24 pages.
• Customer-listed reading age of 2 - 5 years.

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers only.
• The TV movie mentioned is not part of the book.
• No illustrator is stated in the listing.

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More picks to compare

• Floof by McKinnonFor a 4 to 6 reader who likes a mischievous picture-book cat.Check on Amazon
• All Things Cats by Animal ReadsFor a 6 to 12 reader who wants cat facts with photos.Check on Amazon
• That's Not My Kitten by WattFor a baby or toddler who likes touch-and-feel books.Check on Amazon
• Katie the Kitten by JacksonFor a 2+ reader who loves classic Little Golden Books.Check on Amazon
• ABC Cats by NewmanFor a baby to 3 reader learning the alphabet with cats.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Every pick states a customer-listed reading age. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best children’s books about cats

Match the age to the reader

Every listing gives a customer-listed reading age, from Baby – 2 years up to 2 – 10 years. For more options by age, browse our picture book lists.

Pick the format that fits little hands

Babies Love Kittens is a lift-a-flap board book, built for grabbing; the rest are standard picture books for lap reading. Readers who also like farm animals can see our children’s books about farm animals.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age: every listing marks it as from customers.
• Check the format: Babies Love Kittens is a 12-page board book with flaps, the others are longer picture books.
• Check the theme: The Little Kitten is a Halloween story, so plan it for the Halloween season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is best for a baby?

Babies Love Kittens: it is a lift-a-flap board book with a customer-listed reading age of Baby – 2 years.

Which pick has the highest page count?

What Cat Is That? All About Cats, at 48 pages.

Are any of these part of a series?

What Cat Is That? is part of the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library.

Still deciding? Our top pickWhat Cat Is That? by Rabe

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Related lists

See every Picture Books list and all Kids and Teens lists.

More lists: farm animals, zoo animals, horses, and penguins.