Cats Are Great But - (It's Great to Have a Pet) by Stepanka Sekaninova (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The Purr-fect Guide to Cat Ownership--with a Twist!

Cats are cuddly, curious, and full of personality--but they also come with a few surprises! Cats Are Great BUT is a playful and honest look at what it really means to care for a feline friend. Aimed at children ages 6-9, this graphic-novel-style nonfiction book explores the joys and challenges of cat ownership through humorous illustrations and real-life scenarios.

From shedding fur to scratching furniture, this book doesn't shy away from the messy bits--but it also celebrates the deep bond between kids and their whiskered companions. With engaging lessons and relatable situations, young readers learn how to care for cats responsibly while having fun along the way.

Whether your child is begging for a pet or already has one, this book is a must-have for building empathy, responsibility, and a lifelong love of animals.

• Real-Life Pet Lessons - Covers the ups and downs of cat care in a kid-friendly, honest way encouraging thoughtful pet ownership and empathy.


• Graphic Novel Style - Fun, visual storytelling keeps young readers engaged.


• Perfect for First-Time Pet Owners - Helps kids understand what to expect before adopting a cat.


• CBC Recognition - Selected for the Children's Book Council's "Hot Off the Press" Reading List (May 2024).


• Part of a Trusted Series - From the It's Great to Have a Pet collection by Albatros Media.

For over 75 years, Albatros Media has been crafting original and innovative children's books that are both playful and educational, fostering curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in young minds. We deliver the highest quality children's books from novelty, picture, pop-up, and how-to books, to non-fiction, and fairy tale books.

Review Quotes

Selected for The Children's Book Council's May 2024 "Hot Off The Press" Reading List

"PreS-Gr 2-Pet ownership is a big step for many people and this graphic novel-style nonfiction book gives lots of advice about owning a cat. There are pages about basic care of cats, what to feed them, and how to deal with normal cat behavior. There are also pages about how to keep a cat safe from potentially dangerous situations, as well as what kinds of foods are suitable for cats and which are not. Some of the information, such as why cats might want to go outside, might seem inadequate to readers looking for detailed information. The cartoonish illustrations are realistic enough to allow readers to understand the text fully. This will be a good reference book for readers thinking about cat ownership. VERDICT For libraries filling out the how-to or pet shelves; the graphic novel format is sure to attract readers." --Debbie Tanner, School Liberary Journal

"A wonderful introductory guide to cat ownership that is educational and heartwarming. The fun comic-style illustrations support a question and answer format, filled with lots of great information on the pros and cons of cat care for young children. End pages include funny detailed illustrations on feline communication that are sure to be read over and over." --Julie Durmis, Youth Services Book Review

"I liked this book!! The little girl in Cats Are Great But... by Stepanka Sekaninova, illustrated by Adam Wolf wants a cat really badly, but how can she convince her parents to let her get a cat? The girl and reader learn a lot about cats in this book. I learned a lot about cats from this book. This is a great book to help other kids understand their cats too. I hope other kids read this so they can better understand their cat and why they act the way they do." --Kids Book Buzz

"Ah. File these two little books into the Why Didn't I Think of That? category. These books are all about what taking care of a pet entails. The various responsibilities are the name of the game, covering the bad, sure, but also the good. The message they're drilling into young readers? Taking care of a pet isn't always easy. Nonfiction like this is such a good idea. I tip my hat to the creators." --A fuse 8 production

"I would recommend this book to any family considering bringing a cat into their home. It's a great educational resource for any young person looking into adopting a cat. The language is appropriate for most children ages five and up. The illustrations are both comical and educational. I have had a cat myself and there was some information in this book that I didn't know either, so this might be a good resource for parents as well! Definitely consider reading this book before adopting a cat or kitten." --Krissy S., NetGalley-Reviewer

"This is a great book for a child that is getting a cat for the first time. The way it is written is so cute and also very informative. It gives good tips on how you should raise a cat. I like how in the beginning, a plant was used to show that they were responsible and ready for a pet." --Summer B., NetGalley-Reviewer

"This book is the perfect CATS 101 for anyone considering bringing a cat into their life. It is a book focused on children, but I consider that this information is very well presented and could be useful to all types of people." --Arianna A., NetGalley-Reviewer

About the Author

Stepanka Sekaninova used to work as a TV reporter and in the production of children's programs. Now she is a writer and an editor-in-chief, living in the Czech Republic.

Adam Wolf is a self-taught artist with a wide range of artistic skills including analog and digital photography, tattooing, digital and classical illustration, and canvas painting. Having been interested in various creative activities since his early years, he studied photography at the Prague School of Photography, and these days he enjoys illustrating children's books. He was born in Pardubice, Czech Republic in 1981.