81 books like Cat Problems

By Jory John, Lane Smith (illustrator),

Here are 81 books that Cat Problems fans have personally recommended if you like Cat Problems. Shepherd is a community of 11,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Chester

Nicola Winstanley Author Of How to Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps

From my list on funny picture books about cats.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve loved cats my whole life, ever since I started to crawl around with our two cats Tabby and Tubby when I was a baby. Cats are cute and beautiful and have so much personality that they get away with all kinds of shenanigans. This makes cats the perfect subject for picture books for children, which is why I wrote my own cat picture book, and why I’m always on the lookout for kids’ books where they’re the star of the show. So many picture books have serious and instructive themes, and while these books are obviously important, sometimes you just want to snuggle up with your little one and have a good laugh.

Nicola's book list on funny picture books about cats

Nicola Winstanley Why did Nicola love this book?

I’m a big fan of rascally cats, and Chester is the rascalliest of them all. Like most cats, he wants to be the centre of attention. He rewrites the story and draws over the pictures to make the book about him, instead of a mouse. Funny—and clever!—this book was a great inspiration for my book

By Mélanie Watt,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Chester as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Chester is more than a picture book. It is a story told, and retold, by dueling author-illustrators. Mélanie Watt starts out with the story of a mouse in a house. Then Mélanie's cat, Chester, sends the mouse packing and proceeds to cover the pages with rewrites from his red marker, and the gloves are off.Mélanie and her mouse won't take Chester's antics lying down. And Chester is obviously a creative powerhouse with confidence to spare. Where will this war of the picture-book makers lead? Is it a one-way ticket to Chesterville, or will Mélanie get her mouse production off the…


Book cover of Princess Puffybottom...and Darryl

Nicola Winstanley Author Of How to Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps

From my list on funny picture books about cats.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve loved cats my whole life, ever since I started to crawl around with our two cats Tabby and Tubby when I was a baby. Cats are cute and beautiful and have so much personality that they get away with all kinds of shenanigans. This makes cats the perfect subject for picture books for children, which is why I wrote my own cat picture book, and why I’m always on the lookout for kids’ books where they’re the star of the show. So many picture books have serious and instructive themes, and while these books are obviously important, sometimes you just want to snuggle up with your little one and have a good laugh.

Nicola's book list on funny picture books about cats

Nicola Winstanley Why did Nicola love this book?

Another cat with attitude(wait, don’t all cats have attitude?)—but I especially love this book for the sweet friendship between these two unlikely pals, because my little dog adores my cat in the same way. As well, the illustrations are as pretty, soft, and fuzzy as Princess Puffy Bottom’s...well, bottom.

By Susin Nielsen, Olivia Chin Mueller (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Princess Puffybottom...and Darryl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

What's a pampered cat to do now that she has to compete for attention with an ill-mannered puppy? Award-winning author Susin Nielsen delights in this laugh-a-minute twist on the classic sibling rivalry story.

Princess Puffybottom has the perfect life -- her subjects serve her delicious meals, clean up her "delicate matters" and wait on her hand and foot. Life is good . . . until Darryl arrives. Princess Puffybottom thinks he's disgusting, horrid and a true animal. Though she tries everything in her power to banish him (including hypnosis, trickery and even sabotage), it looks like this puppy is here…


Book cover of Mog the Forgetful Cat

Lil Chase Author Of The Cat Who Ate Christmas

From my list on frisky fictional felines (for children).

Why am I passionate about this?

As the author of The Cat Who Ate Christmas, I love a book about a cat who is cunning, quirky, perhaps calamity-prone, but also a cutie. There are plenty of books about loving pets, but their characters all seem to be too earnest, too driven to do the right thing. Not with cats! They will lie, cheat and do what it takes to get what they want… as long as it doesn’t get in the way of nap time. Cats are anti-heroes by nature, aren’t they? That’s why they make the best animals to read about – and an absolute dream to write about. 

Lil's book list on frisky fictional felines (for children)

Lil Chase Why did Lil love this book?

Mog is a sweet old cat. She’s very loving to her family – The Thomas’s – but very dim. She doesn’t understand the human world and her hilarious misunderstandings get her into a lot of hot water. Occasionally, she accidentally saves the day too – usually from a disaster of her own making.

The combination of this lovable cat who gets it wrong is a perennial winner. The first Mog book was written over 50 years ago and has never been out of print.

By Judith Kerr,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Mog the Forgetful Cat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

Share in fifty years of a really remarkable cat...

Everyone's favourite family cat first appeared fifty years ago and is loved by children everywhere for her funny and warm-hearted escapades.

Mog the Forgetful Cat was first published in 1970 and has never been out of print! The classic picture book story of a very forgetful cat, her family, and a very exciting adventure is the perfect gift for families, boys, girls, and anyone who has ever known or loved a cat.

From Judith Kerr, the bestselling author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, the beloved Mog stories still delight…


Book cover of The Cat and the Mouse and the Runaway Train

Nicola Winstanley Author Of How to Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps

From my list on funny picture books about cats.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve loved cats my whole life, ever since I started to crawl around with our two cats Tabby and Tubby when I was a baby. Cats are cute and beautiful and have so much personality that they get away with all kinds of shenanigans. This makes cats the perfect subject for picture books for children, which is why I wrote my own cat picture book, and why I’m always on the lookout for kids’ books where they’re the star of the show. So many picture books have serious and instructive themes, and while these books are obviously important, sometimes you just want to snuggle up with your little one and have a good laugh.

Nicola's book list on funny picture books about cats

Nicola Winstanley Why did Nicola love this book?

Okay, so this book isn’t exactly laugh-out-loud funny, but it’s a wonderful read-aloud. I’m usually not a fan of rhyming picture books, but this book is definitely an exception because of its exuberant and perfect poetry. The cat in this book is pretty sweet—with utterly adorable eyebrows!—and it’s nice to see a good-natured cat making friends with a mouse.

By Peter Bently,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Cat and the Mouse and the Runaway Train as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize comes a pacy rhyming adventure, perfect for any child who loves trains.

When a naughty little mouse steals cheese from the station master, a battle between cat and mouse follows! But they put their differences aside when a big, red steam train comes tearing down the track straight towards them! Exquisitely illustrated, this cat and mouse chase is a truly memorable ride that will be good for many repeated trips.

'This is a book that children will really enjoy... It's a book that will give children's sense of adventure a boost…


Book cover of Everybody Says Meow

Sheri Dillard Author Of Cowhide-And-Seek

From my list on picture books for preschool storytimes.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been a preschool teacher for several years, and now I’m a preschool librarian. When I was teaching, storytime was my favorite part of the day, so when I was offered the spot of librarian, I happily took it! I have storytimes in all the classes, which range in age from 1-year-olds up to PreK and kindergarten classes. My favorite moments are when the children are connecting to each other in some way, like sharing a laugh together. Such joy! Ultimately, the best books for preschool storytimes are the ones that a reader is excited to share, with the hope that the kids will love them, too. 

Sheri's book list on picture books for preschool storytimes

Sheri Dillard Why did Sheri love this book?

At storytimes, I see firsthand the value of a good page turn. There’s anticipation. And excitement. And…then…the…page…turns… Oh! Is there a surprise? Something funny?  

Everybody Says Meow has the best page turns. The story starts with a cat talking to the reader. He’s standing with his cat-friends and explains that it’s time for everybody to say meow. “Ready?” he asks. 

On the next page, all the cats are happily saying, “Meow!” BUT—there’s also a dog, peeking around the edge of the page. With a smile and a friendly wave, he says, “Woof!” 

The story continues with these page-turn surprises, and the kids eagerly await the next animal to peek around the page. I love how I have to pause my reading and wait for the laughter to quiet down.

By Constance Lombardo,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Everybody Says Meow as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

"The messages of inclusion and acceptance are welcome. An enjoyable addition to noisy storytimes." -Kirkus

Everybody Says Meow! Or do they? Fans of Sandra Boynton and of Jules Feiffer's classic Bark, George will meow, bark, and ribbit when they hear this hilarious picture book about a waggish group of adorable animals that just cannot follow one simple instruction.

"Welcome to that magical time when everybody says, 'Meow!' Ready?"

Well, not quite. There's also a "Woof." And a "Ribbit."

A few words and a minimal background can make for plenty of mischief-especially when your characters are adorable, delightfully silly, and probably…


Book cover of The Cat Who Saved Books

K.E. Andrews Author Of The Assassin of Grins and Secrets

From my list on morally gray woman in dark fantasy.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been a huge fan of fantasy books, especially ones that focus on women protagonists. Morally gray protagonists are the most interesting because they straddle the line between hero and villain, often making questionable choices to achieve a goal. I like to write characters who struggle with mental health issues because so often it can be overlooked in a fantasy story in favor of the bigger plot at hand. Women struggling with mental health, who are single mothers, those with disabilities, and those who have long been poorly represented in fiction are characters I like to read and write about.

K.E.'s book list on morally gray woman in dark fantasy

K.E. Andrews Why did K.E. love this book?

When I first saw this book, I was intrigued by the promise of magical cats and books. This story is light yet had some deep themes and poses questions about the true purpose of books and our relationship to them. It has all the hallmarks of a contemporary anime that is short and easy to read, especially if you’re used to diving into thick fantasy books. There were so many quirky moments in the book that felt like a mixture of Alice in Wonderland meets Howl’s Moving Castle. It’s the kind of book you can curl up with while you sip tea and pet a cat.

By Sosuke Natsukawa, Louise Heal Kawai (translator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Cat Who Saved Books as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Cat Who Saved Books is a heart-warming story about finding courage, caring for others - and the tremendous power of books.

Grandpa used to say it all the time: 'books have tremendous power'. But what is that power really?

Natsuki Books was a tiny second-hand bookshop on the edge of town. Inside, towering shelves reached the ceiling, every one crammed full of wonderful books. Rintaro Natsuki loved this space that his grandfather had created. He spent many happy hours there, reading whatever he liked. It was the perfect refuge for a boy who tended to be something of a…


Book cover of What's Michael?: Fatcat Collection Volume 1

Abby Denson Author Of Kitty Sweet Tooth

From my list on cat-themed graphic novels and manga.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a cartoonist who often features cat characters in my books, including Cool Japan Guide, Cool Tokyo Guide, Dolltopia, and Kitty Sweet Tooth. As a life-long cat-lover, I enjoy drawing and writing about my beloved feline friends. I’m also an avid reader of manga and frequent visitor to Japan, where I studied in my college days, so I particularly love reading manga featuring cats and collecting Maneki Neko lucky cat figures as well. I hope you enjoy these books and consider adopting a cat!

Abby's book list on cat-themed graphic novels and manga

Abby Denson Why did Abby love this book?

This is a fantastic collection featuring humorous stories all centering around an orange cat named Michael and his interactions with different humans and animals. The humor is absurd and zany, and lampoons the behavior of cats and humans alike! I’m really happy to see that these Fatcat Collections are being released. All ages can enjoy this one, as the humor works for adult and child audiences.

By Makoto Kobayashi, Toren Smith (translator), Dana Lewis (translator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked What's Michael? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

True-to-life daily cat scenarios and off-the-walls crazy feline fantasies combine in this epic manga collection. Makoto Kobayashi's hilarious New York Library Award and Parents' Choice Award Winning Series returns in a set of oversized collections.

What's Michael? FatCat Collection Volume 1 contains the out-of-print original What's Michael? Volumes 1 to 6. Over 500 pages of tumultuous fun, including the out-of-print volumes Michael's Album, Living Together, Off the Deep End, A Hard Day's Life, Michael's Favorite Spot, and Michael's Mambo.


Book cover of Big Cat, Little Cat

Deb JJ Lee Author Of In Limbo

From my list on chew up your heart and spit it out.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve dealt with depression from a young age. Books like these make me feel better because they give me the time to focus on someone else dealing with similar (or worse) feelings without minimizing my own circumstances. Or perhaps, is it schadenfreude? I have no idea! Huge warning, though. This list mixes some really dark stuff. Please proceed with caution. But I did throw some sweet ones in there, too, as a treat! 

Deb's book list on chew up your heart and spit it out

Deb JJ Lee Why did Deb love this book?

Everyone I love who’s seen my shelf knows how much I love this picture book. I adore the simple ink drawings; it’s all I need to understand to story.

I never expected a 32-page book to break me like this. It makes me want to hug my cat Marlie and never let go (to her annoyance). To me, it explained life and death so perfectly—when one goes away, another comes into our lives.

By Elisha Cooper,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Big Cat, Little Cat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

There was a cat
who lived alone.
Until the day
a new cat came . . .

And so a story of friendship begins, following two cats through their days, months, and years until one day, the older cat has to go. And he doesn't come back.

This is a poignant story, told in measured text and bold black-and-white illustrations about life and the act of moving on.


Book cover of Lois Looks for Bob at the Museum

Natasha Wing Author Of Squeak-a-boo!

From my list on cute & cuddly animal lift-the-flap for kids.

Why am I passionate about this?

As an animal advocate and part-time pet sitter, I wanted to instill the love of animals to babies with a fun board book. I’ve always enjoyed the surprise factor of lift-the-flaps so I was thrilled when Squeak-a-boo! was published. These types of books make for wonderful interactive bonding moments between reader and baby. I hope you enjoy the books on this list, not only for their fun concepts and text, but also for their colorful illustrations. 

Natasha's book list on cute & cuddly animal lift-the-flap for kids

Natasha Wing Why did Natasha love this book?

Kids love cats and Lois is a wide-eyed black and white cat who is looking for her yellow bird friend, Bob.

In this museum location, Lois looks behind such things as a painting and a vase that are at the museum. She finds other animals but not Bob. Until the end of course! The colors are bright and in large blocks which 0-3 year olds will gravitate to.

This is one in series of Lois Looks for Bob books. Other topics include beach, home, and park. 

By Gerry Turley (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Lois Looks for Bob at the Museum as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Little readers will love helping Lois search for her friend Bob behind museum artifacts and encountering their friends along the way in this quirky lift-the-flap book with a retro feel.

The next title in this quirky lift-the-flap book series from illustrator Gerry Turley appeal with their offbeat humor. Little readers will love helping Lois search for her friend Bob behind museum artifacts and encountering their friends along the way.


Book cover of Quackers

Phaea Crede Author Of Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat)

From my list on animals trying on new identities.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always identified as a weirdo and felt misunderstood, which led to lots of wasted time “trying to fit in.” As an adult, I’ve learned to love myself for exactly who I am, but it took a lot of work and self-reflecting. Looking back, I realize there were actually many kids who felt the same way as me and we just never managed to connect with each other! Finding people who “get you” is an important task—but I truly believe self-love and self-acceptance is the greatest goal for all humans. I hope my books speak to the “weirdos” and non-weirdos a like, and encourages all readers to love themselves just the way they are.

Phaea's book list on animals trying on new identities

Phaea Crede Why did Phaea love this book?

Quakers thinks he is a duck and discovers he’s really a cat! As a person who often felt pulled between many worlds (like being an introvert sometimes and an extrovert other times) and never really “fit in” I was cheered to see a relatable journey with a sweet, satisfying ending.

By Liz Wong,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Quackers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Jumpstart's Read for the Record® selection!

A cat who thinks he’s a duck?  He must be Quackers!!
This quirky funny book is about standing out, fitting in, and building a life with room for all.
 
Quackers is a duck. Sure, he may have paws and whiskers. And his quacks might sound more like...well, meows, but he lives among ducks, everyone he knows is a duck, and he's happy.

Then Quackers meets another duck who looks like him (& talks like him, too!)—but he calls himself a cat. So silly!

Quackers loves being among his new friends the cats, but he…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in cats, animals, and penguins?

Cats 207 books
Animals 233 books
Penguins 21 books