| That Cat Can't Stay Written by Thad Krasnesky Illustrated by David Parkins |
Hardcover, 32 full color pages, ages 4-8
Spring 2010, ISBN 9780979974656
Spring 2010, ISBN 9780979974656
Cats. You either love 'em or hate 'em. But what happens when Mom loves cats and Dad
detests them?
In That Cat Can't Stay, Mom keeps adopting stray cats while Dad's objections get more
and more absurd:
the house, they never leave. One stray, then two, then three, and Dad is at his wit's end.
When stray cat number five moves in, Dad finally takes a surprising stand. Dog-lovers, cat-
lovers, and even cat-haters, will love this funny, heart-warming book.
detests them?
In That Cat Can't Stay, Mom keeps adopting stray cats while Dad's objections get more
and more absurd:
- "Mom found a little calico.
Dad said, “That thing has got to go.
There’s no use begging. Don’t say please.
I don't like cats. They scratch my knees.
They carry fleas. They make me sneeze.
They’re always getting stuck in trees.
I want it gone. Send it away.
I'm telling you, that cat can't stay."
the house, they never leave. One stray, then two, then three, and Dad is at his wit's end.
When stray cat number five moves in, Dad finally takes a surprising stand. Dog-lovers, cat-
lovers, and even cat-haters, will love this funny, heart-warming book.
| picture books that explore and illuminate |
Reviews and Praise
From School Library Journal
This book expertly combines a comic, rhyming text with hilarious cartoon illustrations to create a completely enjoyable romp.
Poor Dad is no match for clever Mom, a cat lover who manages to finagle not one, not two, not three, but FOUR cats into the household.
One by one she brings them home and uses guile to convince her husband to keep them, just for a while. Each time he objects with a long-
winded diatribe about why the cat can’t stay, and still she finds a way to tug at his conscience. (“‘You’re right again,’ Mom said to Dad,
‘and I won’t cry or get too sad, just thinking of this little cat and how a car might squish her flat.’”) Of course, the kids get into the act,
putting on their cute little pouty faces that silently beg “pleeeease.” The text reads smoothly throughout and is peppered with wonderfully
expressive words such as “Vamoose!” and “scrounge.” Still, the book wouldn’t be as good without the large cartoon watercolor and ink
illustrations that simply beg to be pored over for every comical detail. Of particular note are Dad’s priceless facial expressions that
transform from stern to defeated in a few short steps. With a repetitive refrain that makes for a great read-aloud, this book is the
cat’s meow for children young and old.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library
From Publishers Weekly
In this light comedy, the creators of I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way again spotlight family dynamics. Energetic rhymed couplets relay
how Mom and kids repeatedly bring home stray cats, driving Dad crazy. With each new arrival, he launches into a chorus of reasons why
he doesn't like cats (“They scratch my knees./ They carry fleas./ They make me sneeze./ They're always getting stuck in trees”) and
decrees that the stray must go. After tactically agreeing with her husband, manipulative Mom describes what dreadful fate will befall the
feline if they don't take it in, and Dad reluctantly relents, still insisting, futilely, “that cat can't stay.” Parkins's high-spirited cartoons depict
animals and humans with amusingly exaggerated facial expressions, especially the exasperated father who, with his multiple
tantrums and ever-present shorts and sneakers, far more resembles an overgrown toddler than a patriarch. While the verse
veers into doggerel territory in its bounciness, the buffoonlike father's antics should prove kid-pleasing.
From Children's Literature
"Mom and the kids love cats, but Dad is dead set against them. In clever rhymed couplets, Dad makes his opposition clear.... Parkins
visualizes this comic opera with cartoon-like pen and ink and watercolor illustrations of cartoon-like characters displaying exaggerated
behavior. Dad in particular is portrayed in lively vignettes acting out his aversions to each new arrival. And, of course, each cat has a
way of making itself welcome. You do not have to love cats to enjoy this romp." --Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
From Sacramento Book Review and San Francisco Book Review
That Cat Can’t Stay is a joy to read aloud. Thad Krasnesky begins with a situation familiar to many. Mom finds a cat in need of a home,
but Dad forbids keeping the cat. Mom immediately sets about releasing the cat into the outdoors, while noting the rainy weather conditions
facing the poor feline. Dad relents but only till the rain stops. By then, however, the kitty is a part of the family. This cycle repeats four
more times as the family’s collection of kitties grows. In each instance, Dad’s objections become longer and funnier. Justice prevails,
however, when a trip to the pound results in one final addition: a dog for Dad. The story concludes with the family “happy to discover. . .
that Daddy is a dog lover!”
Krasnesky tells his tale with rhymes and a delightful rhythm that rolls off the tongue, while David Parkins’ ink and watercolor illustrations of
Dad mimicking various feline imperfections are perfectly hysterical. If your family is like mine, That Cat Can’t Stay will quickly become a
favorite to be read again and again.
From MyShelf.com
"...The lively rhyme and comic illustrations are sure to make readers giggle, and the poor, kind-hearted dad certainly deserves the
happy ending he gets. David Parkins does a wonderful job of creating engaging expressions for both cats and people. ...embrace the
fluff."
From Baltimore's Child
"He may rant and rave, but ultimately this softhearted dad lets the strays stay. David Parkins’ hilariously detailed pictures add to the fun
and the surprise ending."
From the Tuscon Citizen's Shelf Life blog
What happens when a mom loves cats but dad doesn’t? When mom convinced dad to let each cat stay for a short time, the feline
population soon expands to several. With hilarious ink and watercolor illustrations, “The Cat Can’t Stay” purr-fectly captures the
resourcefulness, and compromises of a pet-loving family. It is recommended for young readers ages 4-9. Kranesky is a U.S. Army
major and Parkins, a Canadian-based artist, is the illustrator of more than 80 books and anthologies.--Larry Cox
From Kids Lit, the blog of the Menasha Library
Krasnesky’s rhyming text is very funny with a great rollicking flow to it. It begs to be read aloud, especially Dad’s litany of reasons he
doesn’t like cats, which are sure to have children giggling since they all rhyme with one another: “They eat my cheese. They hairball-
wheeze. Their licking makes my stomach quease.” Parkins’ art adds a lot to the story, ensuring that the reader is charmed by the cats
thanks to their friendly furriness. He uses white space with skill, changing the illustrations for Dad’s litany of cat complaints to make each
one a bit more frenzied and dynamic. Recommended for cat storytimes. This is a purr-fect readaloud for any family that finds that they
too seem to collect animals. I’d even recommend it happily to dog lovers.
From Muddy Puddle Musings blog
Rating: 5/5
Endpapers: blue with cat scratches, perhaps? Hard to say!
In this rollicking, rhyming story, a cat-hating dad gets saddled with first one, then two...three...four...FIVE cats...that all come to the family
in different ways. Cute, cute, cute. The illustrations - watercolor over pen and ink - are a riot, especially the dad, a plump guy who
always wears short and horizontally striped short sleeved shirts. And the cats. Oh, yeah. This one's a real winner. I want to read it
aloud - to my class, to my grandkids, to my friends.... What a great picture book to read along with Hate That Cat (Creech).--
Chris, 4th grade Literature teacher, southern Arizona.
From the Bureau County Republican
“That Cat Can’t Stay” is the reaction of many an adult when a child brings home a stray kitty. In the picture book by this title, it’s an adult
who brings the stray home: Mom is a cat lover and Dad is not. The children are passive observers in the family drama, as Mom deftly
manipulates Dad into accepting not just one but a series of homeless felines. Although the amusing cumulative tale is told in the first person
by one of the children, the narrative “I” is not identified until roughly 20 pages into the book — and then only by the artwork, not the text.
The illustrations add to the playful, rhymed text. The cartoon-style characters show real personality and emotion. Dad’s tantrums
upon the arrival of each new cat are particularly effective, as he repeatedly acts out “I don’t like cats. They scratch my knees. They carry
fleas. They make me sneeze. They’re always getting stuck in trees. They eat my cheese. They hairball-wheeze. Their licking makes my
stomach quease. I’m sure that everyone agrees: We can’t have any more of these!” Cat-haters and cat-lovers alike will enjoy the
goofy humor of both text and art.
Like snowflakes, cats are individually unique, possessing the ability to claim cozy spots on sofas — and in people’s hearts. These two
distinctive books are certain to charm their way into “favorite” status as bedtime or story time tales, each in its own fashion.--
Paula Morrow
From A Patchwork of Books blog
It's mom and the kids vs. dad! Mom keeps adopting stray cats, much to the kids' delight, and Dad keeps saying no with sillier and sillier
reasons each time. The text rhymes extremely well, flowing nicely and repeating the perfect parts over and over again. Your
kids will probably be repeating it back to you by the end.
David Parkins' illustrations were an excellent fit for the silly story, making me chuckle even more along the way. Great facial
expressions on all, including the animals!
Read this one out loud to your kids or use it for storytime. Great read aloud! Overall rating: 5 out of 5. Flashlight Press has impressed
me again!--Amanda Snow
From LANE ESD Review
This delightful rhyming tale is as charming as it is hilarious. Dad is losing his battle with his wife and family to stop adopting stray cats
that clearly love him. The illustrations portray happy cats sitting on Dad’s lap, sharing his chair and utterly adoring him. The illustrations are
whimsical and laugh-out-loud funny. The surprise ending is the icing on the cake. This book is a wonderful read-aloud and perfect for
families who have ever adopted a stray animal. The hardback binding is sturdy and will hold up for a long time with normal use.
From Bookfoolery and Babble blog
That Cat Can't Stay begins on a rainy day. The mother of the narrator's family stands in a raincoat, holding a sad-looking cat. It's a stray
and Dad doesn't like cats, so he says, "That creature cannot stay. There's no use begging. Don't say please. I don't like cats. They scratch
my knees. And I don't want to have to shout, so kindly put that cat-thing out."
Mom is tricky, though. She tells Dad she'll just put that cat back outside in the rain and hail, no matter how drenched he's going to get and
Dad says, "Well . . . "
So begins the delightful rhyming tale of how one little family with three children adopts 4 full-grown cats in need; and, then the cat-loving
narrator (a daughter in pigtails) brings home a kitten in the hood of her jacket. I loved this book so much that I forced my husband to listen
to it and turned the book around to show off the illustrations as if I was reading to a class of kindergarteners.
That Cat Can't Stay is one of the cutest children's books I've ever had the pleasure to review. The rhyme is repetitive and catchy,
the illustrations are expressive and often hilarious (the looks on those cats' faces are a hoot -- not to mention Dad, who turns out to be a
softie). The book even has a funny twist when, after adopting 5 cats, the father goes to the pound and brings home a dog.
Story in rhyme: 5/5 - Clever, charming, rhythmic and funny.
Illustrations: 5/5 - Absolutely perfect. The entire family and all of the cats are colorful and so expressive you can't help but smile.
This is such a cheery, satisfying book that I've found myself wishing I had small children around whenever I read it.
Cat lover, Dog Lover ~Which are You?
Thad Krasnesky has done it again. With his latest children's book, That Cat Can't Stay, he addresses a fundamental issue that has been
the cause of marital warfare. Are you a cat or dog lover? With sharp wit and lovely rhyming prose, Thad investigates how a wife plucks
the compassionate heart of her dear husband by bringing home strays. The surprise ending will delight you. A must-read for those of you
who live with Dr. Doolittle! Tempted? You'll have to wait until April 2010 to find out what happens, but I promise you Thad won't let
you down! --Christine Hohlbaum, Diary of a Mother blog
From Barbara Gruener, School Counselor, Friendswood, TX
Flashlight Press' newest illustrated picture book, That Cat Can't Stay, by Thad Krasnesky, is a delightful read-aloud that could very well
have you giggling all the way to the pound to adopt a cat of your own. Using reverse psychology, Mom cleverly convinces Dad to allow a
stray cat (or four?) to stay for a spell. But how many felines can one family feasibly find? Reminiscent of the whimsical works by Dr.
Seuss, this book's lyrical style will undoubtedly capture and engage its little listeners; the repetitious rhyme will find them as curious as a
cat to see how this tale ends. Whether you like the little fur-balls or not, the PURRfectly eye-catching, authentic illustrations by David
Parkins will endear themselves as they bring this CATchy story to life.
From Large Print Reviews
Dad has a problem. He simply doesn't like cats. But what is he to do when Mom brings home a poor, pitiful stray - throw him out in the
rain? Of course not, Dad consents, the cat can stay, but only until the rain goes away. As you might guess, by that time, the cat is part of
the family and dad no longer has a say. But what happens when it happens again, and again? Find out in this delightful children's story
entitled simply, That Cat Can't Stay.
This book was written by Thad Krasnesky, the author of I Always, Always Get My Way and an ex-combat officer who served in Iraq
and who taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. As well, it is full of whimsical and colorful illustrations created by David
Parkins.
The story is told in a rhyme-like narrative that is great fun to read aloud. It is especially fun, from an adult's perspective, to read the
'Dad' as he tries and tries to keep more cats from taking over his home - he gets terribly upset, but in the end, he's just an old softy and
there's never any doubt that Mom and the kids will have their way - and their cats - no matter how much Dad might protest! Not only is
this a great book to read aloud to pre-readers, it is a great book for new readers to practice their reading skills.
Although not touted as such, That Cat Can't Stay is technically a large print book. The text is printed in an approximately 18-point font
that is ideal for those readers who need large print. For those who may find themselves reading this book to their youngsters after a hard
day at work, or perhaps in a dim light, you'll appreciate just how much the larger print size helps minimize any eye strain you might
otherwise experience! All in all, That Cat Can't Stay is simply an all-around fun book that will not only delight young and pre-readers, but
which is also a book that adults will find a pleasure to read - even when you're on your twentieth read through! --Review by Anna Dogole
From Deborah Mock, Editor, Colorado Parent magazine
I just received That Cat Can't Stay [and] I loved it. My husband and I love and both grew up with cats and dogs, but currently only have
one cat. The illustrations captured the true character of cats in all their leg-rubbing, lap-cuddling, playful glory. Their innocent but
sneaky knowing faces are classic feline. Dad’s rants are fun to read and the story showed the addictive quality of cats so well. They
always seem to sneak into your heart and somehow there’s always room for one more! It made me want to run out and expand our
family!
From ForeWord Reviews
A winning tale, in verse, about a family that keeps finding cats that need a home, and a tough-talking dad whose heart wins out every time.
As the number of cats in the family keeps rising, the repetition and expansion of Dad’s rant gets funnier and funnier, and begs for chanting
in unison, louder and louder, by reader and listeners. The illustrations add to the humor while making it clear that everyone, including Dad,
has a lot of love to give and room for one more soul.
From Midwest Book Review
That Cat Can't Stay is a funny, rollicking rhyming tale of a man who is losing his battle with his wife and family to stop adopting adorable
stray cats who clearly love him and are happy and comfortable staying in his home. His clever wife manages to agree completely with his
every objection to each new cat and by the time she has finished agreeing, he has somehow allowed the cat to move in and make himself
at home! The finale is cute and hides a good surprise. That Cat Can't Stay will become a favorite of any family that includes cat
lovers, cat haters, dog lovers, and 4-8-year old kids.
From OC Family Read blog
Got someone in your family who's not a kitty fan?
We have a cat – she's a mess. She gets her fur all over me, begs me incessantly for food and refuses to let me sleep in on the weekends.
She drives me nuts. She is not as cute as she looks. But, my boyfriend loves her. So ... I put up with it. And, when I saw yet another cat
book sitting in my "review these" pile, I thought: "You've got to be kidding me. Another cat book?" But, I've got an open mind, so I picked
it up and began reading. Turns out, the book's quite funny – for cat AND dog lovers.
"That Cat Can't Stay," which is written by Thad Kraznesky and illustrated by David Parkins, follows a family who just seems to love cats –
except for Dad, who wants to "put that cat-thing out." (My thoughts exactly.) This is a really wacky, fun story. Mom (and her children, we
find out) loves to bring home stray cats. By the end of the story there's a good deal of cats, filling up the house, sitting on Dad's favorite
chair, in the kitchen, and Dad sure does like to complain! One of my favorite illustrations follows Dad's complaints in a graphic-novel-type
format: "There's no use begging. Don't say please. I don't like cats. They scratch my knees. They make me sneeze. They carry fleas." And
so on – it's fun to read aloud, too, with the rhyme scheme on the page, as well as a few others.
There's quite a twist in the end, too – it'll make the dog lover in your family enjoy the book even more than before. Krasnesky and Parkins
have created a beautifully illustrated and inventive tale that will bring your family together – with the cat OR dog – for a laugh and a smile.--
Kristen Schott
From the Kiddle CRITers and Donna O'Donnell Figurski
I can totally understand the father in That Cat Can’t Stay. That would be my view too. I am not a cat lover. I do admit, however, that
the cats were cute … on paper … within the confines of the pages of this book, but no cats for me … thank you. No dogs for that matter
either or rabbits or mice or birds. Well, I did have a bird when I was a child and a turtle, too, but those days are over.
I admired Mom’s wily and crafty ways as she perfected her skill of wrapping Dad around her finger. That mom tugged on his
heartstrings. How could Dad possible put a cat out in the rain? And that poor calico – it was going to starve to death, wasn’t it? Surely,
Dad couldn’t send it to the hereafter on an empty stomach. And anyone would help a cat that was hit by a car … like the ginger kitty was.
Even I would do that.
So what was Dad supposed to do? Of course, he did what any good dad would … he allowed the cats to stay until the rain stopped,
until the kitty was properly fed, and until ginger kitty’s leg mended. That Mom … she was a clever one! She sure was! She knew what she
was doing. And those cats just stayed and stayed and stayed even though they scratched Dad’s knees, carried fleas, and ate his cheese.
Poor Dad!
Thad Krasnesky and David Parkins team up to make a very funny book, which will have children cheering Mom on. Kids will have
fun joining in on the repetitive, rhyming parts, too. And they just might learn a little about using reverse psychology … on their own parents.
FROM the MOUTHS of KIDDLE CRITers: a critique group
“There’s a family and Mom found a cat,” said Tala.
“It was a broken cat,” said Caden.
“Then she found one cat in the rain,” said Daisy.
“And Dad said, ‘Well, we’ll let that cat stay, but not for long,’” explained Juliana.
“Mom was bringing cats back every single day,” said Caden.
“But Dad did not like cats,” said Abby.
“They carry fleas,” said Caden sticking up for Dad.
“And they scratch his knees,” explained Brayden.
Juliana nodded. “Dad probably got hurt from cats,” she said. “Then Mom would rescue another cat and Dad would say, ‘That cat can’t
stay, but Mom brought the cat home anyway,’” said Juliana.
“Maybe she just took the cats because she had no one to talk to,” said Lucy.
Callie shook her head. “What Mom really wanted was to have a cat – lots of them,” said Callie. “But I bet she was just making Dad crazy
for all the cats she was finding and saving,” she added with a giggle.
“Dad always said, “Well, we’ll let that cat stay, but not for long,” said Juliana.
“But … Dad, said, “Well!” said Diego as he drew out the word to sound like this, w-e-e-e-e-l-l-l. (And then the cats always stayed.)
“Mom was trying to trick Dad to keep the cats – as many as she could find. She would give him a reason so she could keep the cat, but
he said, ‘No’ and she still kept them,” said Tala.
Brayden nodded, “Mom got all the cats by using psychology,” he said.
“Reverse psychology,” proclaimed Daisy.
“Reverse Psychology is like … you can trick someone,” said Tala.
“To get what you want,” said Juliana. “There was a lot of reverse psychology in this book.”
“I think the Mom was pretty smart,” said Mikaela. “She kept going with what the father said so he would feel guilty and then she could
keep the cat,” she explained.
“Mom was trying to convince Dad,” said Lucy.
Caden shook his head. “But Dad wants the cats outside,” he said.
“I like how the mother uses reverse psychology to get what she wants,” said Juliana. “The mother is really, really good at doing that.”
“I wish my mom would do reverse psychology … on my dad,” said Lucy with a smile and a giggle.
From School Library Journal
This book expertly combines a comic, rhyming text with hilarious cartoon illustrations to create a completely enjoyable romp.
Poor Dad is no match for clever Mom, a cat lover who manages to finagle not one, not two, not three, but FOUR cats into the household.
One by one she brings them home and uses guile to convince her husband to keep them, just for a while. Each time he objects with a long-
winded diatribe about why the cat can’t stay, and still she finds a way to tug at his conscience. (“‘You’re right again,’ Mom said to Dad,
‘and I won’t cry or get too sad, just thinking of this little cat and how a car might squish her flat.’”) Of course, the kids get into the act,
putting on their cute little pouty faces that silently beg “pleeeease.” The text reads smoothly throughout and is peppered with wonderfully
expressive words such as “Vamoose!” and “scrounge.” Still, the book wouldn’t be as good without the large cartoon watercolor and ink
illustrations that simply beg to be pored over for every comical detail. Of particular note are Dad’s priceless facial expressions that
transform from stern to defeated in a few short steps. With a repetitive refrain that makes for a great read-aloud, this book is the
cat’s meow for children young and old.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library
From Publishers Weekly
In this light comedy, the creators of I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way again spotlight family dynamics. Energetic rhymed couplets relay
how Mom and kids repeatedly bring home stray cats, driving Dad crazy. With each new arrival, he launches into a chorus of reasons why
he doesn't like cats (“They scratch my knees./ They carry fleas./ They make me sneeze./ They're always getting stuck in trees”) and
decrees that the stray must go. After tactically agreeing with her husband, manipulative Mom describes what dreadful fate will befall the
feline if they don't take it in, and Dad reluctantly relents, still insisting, futilely, “that cat can't stay.” Parkins's high-spirited cartoons depict
animals and humans with amusingly exaggerated facial expressions, especially the exasperated father who, with his multiple
tantrums and ever-present shorts and sneakers, far more resembles an overgrown toddler than a patriarch. While the verse
veers into doggerel territory in its bounciness, the buffoonlike father's antics should prove kid-pleasing.
From Children's Literature
"Mom and the kids love cats, but Dad is dead set against them. In clever rhymed couplets, Dad makes his opposition clear.... Parkins
visualizes this comic opera with cartoon-like pen and ink and watercolor illustrations of cartoon-like characters displaying exaggerated
behavior. Dad in particular is portrayed in lively vignettes acting out his aversions to each new arrival. And, of course, each cat has a
way of making itself welcome. You do not have to love cats to enjoy this romp." --Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
From Sacramento Book Review and San Francisco Book Review
That Cat Can’t Stay is a joy to read aloud. Thad Krasnesky begins with a situation familiar to many. Mom finds a cat in need of a home,
but Dad forbids keeping the cat. Mom immediately sets about releasing the cat into the outdoors, while noting the rainy weather conditions
facing the poor feline. Dad relents but only till the rain stops. By then, however, the kitty is a part of the family. This cycle repeats four
more times as the family’s collection of kitties grows. In each instance, Dad’s objections become longer and funnier. Justice prevails,
however, when a trip to the pound results in one final addition: a dog for Dad. The story concludes with the family “happy to discover. . .
that Daddy is a dog lover!”
Krasnesky tells his tale with rhymes and a delightful rhythm that rolls off the tongue, while David Parkins’ ink and watercolor illustrations of
Dad mimicking various feline imperfections are perfectly hysterical. If your family is like mine, That Cat Can’t Stay will quickly become a
favorite to be read again and again.
From MyShelf.com
"...The lively rhyme and comic illustrations are sure to make readers giggle, and the poor, kind-hearted dad certainly deserves the
happy ending he gets. David Parkins does a wonderful job of creating engaging expressions for both cats and people. ...embrace the
fluff."
From Baltimore's Child
"He may rant and rave, but ultimately this softhearted dad lets the strays stay. David Parkins’ hilariously detailed pictures add to the fun
and the surprise ending."
From the Tuscon Citizen's Shelf Life blog
What happens when a mom loves cats but dad doesn’t? When mom convinced dad to let each cat stay for a short time, the feline
population soon expands to several. With hilarious ink and watercolor illustrations, “The Cat Can’t Stay” purr-fectly captures the
resourcefulness, and compromises of a pet-loving family. It is recommended for young readers ages 4-9. Kranesky is a U.S. Army
major and Parkins, a Canadian-based artist, is the illustrator of more than 80 books and anthologies.--Larry Cox
From Kids Lit, the blog of the Menasha Library
Krasnesky’s rhyming text is very funny with a great rollicking flow to it. It begs to be read aloud, especially Dad’s litany of reasons he
doesn’t like cats, which are sure to have children giggling since they all rhyme with one another: “They eat my cheese. They hairball-
wheeze. Their licking makes my stomach quease.” Parkins’ art adds a lot to the story, ensuring that the reader is charmed by the cats
thanks to their friendly furriness. He uses white space with skill, changing the illustrations for Dad’s litany of cat complaints to make each
one a bit more frenzied and dynamic. Recommended for cat storytimes. This is a purr-fect readaloud for any family that finds that they
too seem to collect animals. I’d even recommend it happily to dog lovers.
From Muddy Puddle Musings blog
Rating: 5/5
Endpapers: blue with cat scratches, perhaps? Hard to say!
In this rollicking, rhyming story, a cat-hating dad gets saddled with first one, then two...three...four...FIVE cats...that all come to the family
in different ways. Cute, cute, cute. The illustrations - watercolor over pen and ink - are a riot, especially the dad, a plump guy who
always wears short and horizontally striped short sleeved shirts. And the cats. Oh, yeah. This one's a real winner. I want to read it
aloud - to my class, to my grandkids, to my friends.... What a great picture book to read along with Hate That Cat (Creech).--
Chris, 4th grade Literature teacher, southern Arizona.
From the Bureau County Republican
“That Cat Can’t Stay” is the reaction of many an adult when a child brings home a stray kitty. In the picture book by this title, it’s an adult
who brings the stray home: Mom is a cat lover and Dad is not. The children are passive observers in the family drama, as Mom deftly
manipulates Dad into accepting not just one but a series of homeless felines. Although the amusing cumulative tale is told in the first person
by one of the children, the narrative “I” is not identified until roughly 20 pages into the book — and then only by the artwork, not the text.
The illustrations add to the playful, rhymed text. The cartoon-style characters show real personality and emotion. Dad’s tantrums
upon the arrival of each new cat are particularly effective, as he repeatedly acts out “I don’t like cats. They scratch my knees. They carry
fleas. They make me sneeze. They’re always getting stuck in trees. They eat my cheese. They hairball-wheeze. Their licking makes my
stomach quease. I’m sure that everyone agrees: We can’t have any more of these!” Cat-haters and cat-lovers alike will enjoy the
goofy humor of both text and art.
Like snowflakes, cats are individually unique, possessing the ability to claim cozy spots on sofas — and in people’s hearts. These two
distinctive books are certain to charm their way into “favorite” status as bedtime or story time tales, each in its own fashion.--
Paula Morrow
From A Patchwork of Books blog
It's mom and the kids vs. dad! Mom keeps adopting stray cats, much to the kids' delight, and Dad keeps saying no with sillier and sillier
reasons each time. The text rhymes extremely well, flowing nicely and repeating the perfect parts over and over again. Your
kids will probably be repeating it back to you by the end.
David Parkins' illustrations were an excellent fit for the silly story, making me chuckle even more along the way. Great facial
expressions on all, including the animals!
Read this one out loud to your kids or use it for storytime. Great read aloud! Overall rating: 5 out of 5. Flashlight Press has impressed
me again!--Amanda Snow
From LANE ESD Review
This delightful rhyming tale is as charming as it is hilarious. Dad is losing his battle with his wife and family to stop adopting stray cats
that clearly love him. The illustrations portray happy cats sitting on Dad’s lap, sharing his chair and utterly adoring him. The illustrations are
whimsical and laugh-out-loud funny. The surprise ending is the icing on the cake. This book is a wonderful read-aloud and perfect for
families who have ever adopted a stray animal. The hardback binding is sturdy and will hold up for a long time with normal use.
From Bookfoolery and Babble blog
That Cat Can't Stay begins on a rainy day. The mother of the narrator's family stands in a raincoat, holding a sad-looking cat. It's a stray
and Dad doesn't like cats, so he says, "That creature cannot stay. There's no use begging. Don't say please. I don't like cats. They scratch
my knees. And I don't want to have to shout, so kindly put that cat-thing out."
Mom is tricky, though. She tells Dad she'll just put that cat back outside in the rain and hail, no matter how drenched he's going to get and
Dad says, "Well . . . "
So begins the delightful rhyming tale of how one little family with three children adopts 4 full-grown cats in need; and, then the cat-loving
narrator (a daughter in pigtails) brings home a kitten in the hood of her jacket. I loved this book so much that I forced my husband to listen
to it and turned the book around to show off the illustrations as if I was reading to a class of kindergarteners.
That Cat Can't Stay is one of the cutest children's books I've ever had the pleasure to review. The rhyme is repetitive and catchy,
the illustrations are expressive and often hilarious (the looks on those cats' faces are a hoot -- not to mention Dad, who turns out to be a
softie). The book even has a funny twist when, after adopting 5 cats, the father goes to the pound and brings home a dog.
Story in rhyme: 5/5 - Clever, charming, rhythmic and funny.
Illustrations: 5/5 - Absolutely perfect. The entire family and all of the cats are colorful and so expressive you can't help but smile.
This is such a cheery, satisfying book that I've found myself wishing I had small children around whenever I read it.
Cat lover, Dog Lover ~Which are You?
Thad Krasnesky has done it again. With his latest children's book, That Cat Can't Stay, he addresses a fundamental issue that has been
the cause of marital warfare. Are you a cat or dog lover? With sharp wit and lovely rhyming prose, Thad investigates how a wife plucks
the compassionate heart of her dear husband by bringing home strays. The surprise ending will delight you. A must-read for those of you
who live with Dr. Doolittle! Tempted? You'll have to wait until April 2010 to find out what happens, but I promise you Thad won't let
you down! --Christine Hohlbaum, Diary of a Mother blog
From Barbara Gruener, School Counselor, Friendswood, TX
Flashlight Press' newest illustrated picture book, That Cat Can't Stay, by Thad Krasnesky, is a delightful read-aloud that could very well
have you giggling all the way to the pound to adopt a cat of your own. Using reverse psychology, Mom cleverly convinces Dad to allow a
stray cat (or four?) to stay for a spell. But how many felines can one family feasibly find? Reminiscent of the whimsical works by Dr.
Seuss, this book's lyrical style will undoubtedly capture and engage its little listeners; the repetitious rhyme will find them as curious as a
cat to see how this tale ends. Whether you like the little fur-balls or not, the PURRfectly eye-catching, authentic illustrations by David
Parkins will endear themselves as they bring this CATchy story to life.
From Large Print Reviews
Dad has a problem. He simply doesn't like cats. But what is he to do when Mom brings home a poor, pitiful stray - throw him out in the
rain? Of course not, Dad consents, the cat can stay, but only until the rain goes away. As you might guess, by that time, the cat is part of
the family and dad no longer has a say. But what happens when it happens again, and again? Find out in this delightful children's story
entitled simply, That Cat Can't Stay.
This book was written by Thad Krasnesky, the author of I Always, Always Get My Way and an ex-combat officer who served in Iraq
and who taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. As well, it is full of whimsical and colorful illustrations created by David
Parkins.
The story is told in a rhyme-like narrative that is great fun to read aloud. It is especially fun, from an adult's perspective, to read the
'Dad' as he tries and tries to keep more cats from taking over his home - he gets terribly upset, but in the end, he's just an old softy and
there's never any doubt that Mom and the kids will have their way - and their cats - no matter how much Dad might protest! Not only is
this a great book to read aloud to pre-readers, it is a great book for new readers to practice their reading skills.
Although not touted as such, That Cat Can't Stay is technically a large print book. The text is printed in an approximately 18-point font
that is ideal for those readers who need large print. For those who may find themselves reading this book to their youngsters after a hard
day at work, or perhaps in a dim light, you'll appreciate just how much the larger print size helps minimize any eye strain you might
otherwise experience! All in all, That Cat Can't Stay is simply an all-around fun book that will not only delight young and pre-readers, but
which is also a book that adults will find a pleasure to read - even when you're on your twentieth read through! --Review by Anna Dogole
From Deborah Mock, Editor, Colorado Parent magazine
I just received That Cat Can't Stay [and] I loved it. My husband and I love and both grew up with cats and dogs, but currently only have
one cat. The illustrations captured the true character of cats in all their leg-rubbing, lap-cuddling, playful glory. Their innocent but
sneaky knowing faces are classic feline. Dad’s rants are fun to read and the story showed the addictive quality of cats so well. They
always seem to sneak into your heart and somehow there’s always room for one more! It made me want to run out and expand our
family!
From ForeWord Reviews
A winning tale, in verse, about a family that keeps finding cats that need a home, and a tough-talking dad whose heart wins out every time.
As the number of cats in the family keeps rising, the repetition and expansion of Dad’s rant gets funnier and funnier, and begs for chanting
in unison, louder and louder, by reader and listeners. The illustrations add to the humor while making it clear that everyone, including Dad,
has a lot of love to give and room for one more soul.
From Midwest Book Review
That Cat Can't Stay is a funny, rollicking rhyming tale of a man who is losing his battle with his wife and family to stop adopting adorable
stray cats who clearly love him and are happy and comfortable staying in his home. His clever wife manages to agree completely with his
every objection to each new cat and by the time she has finished agreeing, he has somehow allowed the cat to move in and make himself
at home! The finale is cute and hides a good surprise. That Cat Can't Stay will become a favorite of any family that includes cat
lovers, cat haters, dog lovers, and 4-8-year old kids.
From OC Family Read blog
Got someone in your family who's not a kitty fan?
We have a cat – she's a mess. She gets her fur all over me, begs me incessantly for food and refuses to let me sleep in on the weekends.
She drives me nuts. She is not as cute as she looks. But, my boyfriend loves her. So ... I put up with it. And, when I saw yet another cat
book sitting in my "review these" pile, I thought: "You've got to be kidding me. Another cat book?" But, I've got an open mind, so I picked
it up and began reading. Turns out, the book's quite funny – for cat AND dog lovers.
"That Cat Can't Stay," which is written by Thad Kraznesky and illustrated by David Parkins, follows a family who just seems to love cats –
except for Dad, who wants to "put that cat-thing out." (My thoughts exactly.) This is a really wacky, fun story. Mom (and her children, we
find out) loves to bring home stray cats. By the end of the story there's a good deal of cats, filling up the house, sitting on Dad's favorite
chair, in the kitchen, and Dad sure does like to complain! One of my favorite illustrations follows Dad's complaints in a graphic-novel-type
format: "There's no use begging. Don't say please. I don't like cats. They scratch my knees. They make me sneeze. They carry fleas." And
so on – it's fun to read aloud, too, with the rhyme scheme on the page, as well as a few others.
There's quite a twist in the end, too – it'll make the dog lover in your family enjoy the book even more than before. Krasnesky and Parkins
have created a beautifully illustrated and inventive tale that will bring your family together – with the cat OR dog – for a laugh and a smile.--
Kristen Schott
From the Kiddle CRITers and Donna O'Donnell Figurski
I can totally understand the father in That Cat Can’t Stay. That would be my view too. I am not a cat lover. I do admit, however, that
the cats were cute … on paper … within the confines of the pages of this book, but no cats for me … thank you. No dogs for that matter
either or rabbits or mice or birds. Well, I did have a bird when I was a child and a turtle, too, but those days are over.
I admired Mom’s wily and crafty ways as she perfected her skill of wrapping Dad around her finger. That mom tugged on his
heartstrings. How could Dad possible put a cat out in the rain? And that poor calico – it was going to starve to death, wasn’t it? Surely,
Dad couldn’t send it to the hereafter on an empty stomach. And anyone would help a cat that was hit by a car … like the ginger kitty was.
Even I would do that.
So what was Dad supposed to do? Of course, he did what any good dad would … he allowed the cats to stay until the rain stopped,
until the kitty was properly fed, and until ginger kitty’s leg mended. That Mom … she was a clever one! She sure was! She knew what she
was doing. And those cats just stayed and stayed and stayed even though they scratched Dad’s knees, carried fleas, and ate his cheese.
Poor Dad!
Thad Krasnesky and David Parkins team up to make a very funny book, which will have children cheering Mom on. Kids will have
fun joining in on the repetitive, rhyming parts, too. And they just might learn a little about using reverse psychology … on their own parents.
FROM the MOUTHS of KIDDLE CRITers: a critique group
“There’s a family and Mom found a cat,” said Tala.
“It was a broken cat,” said Caden.
“Then she found one cat in the rain,” said Daisy.
“And Dad said, ‘Well, we’ll let that cat stay, but not for long,’” explained Juliana.
“Mom was bringing cats back every single day,” said Caden.
“But Dad did not like cats,” said Abby.
“They carry fleas,” said Caden sticking up for Dad.
“And they scratch his knees,” explained Brayden.
Juliana nodded. “Dad probably got hurt from cats,” she said. “Then Mom would rescue another cat and Dad would say, ‘That cat can’t
stay, but Mom brought the cat home anyway,’” said Juliana.
“Maybe she just took the cats because she had no one to talk to,” said Lucy.
Callie shook her head. “What Mom really wanted was to have a cat – lots of them,” said Callie. “But I bet she was just making Dad crazy
for all the cats she was finding and saving,” she added with a giggle.
“Dad always said, “Well, we’ll let that cat stay, but not for long,” said Juliana.
“But … Dad, said, “Well!” said Diego as he drew out the word to sound like this, w-e-e-e-e-l-l-l. (And then the cats always stayed.)
“Mom was trying to trick Dad to keep the cats – as many as she could find. She would give him a reason so she could keep the cat, but
he said, ‘No’ and she still kept them,” said Tala.
Brayden nodded, “Mom got all the cats by using psychology,” he said.
“Reverse psychology,” proclaimed Daisy.
“Reverse Psychology is like … you can trick someone,” said Tala.
“To get what you want,” said Juliana. “There was a lot of reverse psychology in this book.”
“I think the Mom was pretty smart,” said Mikaela. “She kept going with what the father said so he would feel guilty and then she could
keep the cat,” she explained.
“Mom was trying to convince Dad,” said Lucy.
Caden shook his head. “But Dad wants the cats outside,” he said.
“I like how the mother uses reverse psychology to get what she wants,” said Juliana. “The mother is really, really good at doing that.”
“I wish my mom would do reverse psychology … on my dad,” said Lucy with a smile and a giggle.
Available at your favorite
bookseller or through:
bookseller or through:
| Paws for Poetry Contest judged by Thad Krasnesky, sponsored by Meet Me At The Corner and Flashlight Press Watch the video and hear the winning poems at right. >> |
<< Thad visits the West Point NY
Elementary School and works with
students on their poetry.
Elementary School and works with
students on their poetry.
