Happy Cat - (I Like to Read) by Steve Henry (Paperback)

About the Book

The joys of giving and receiving are celebrated in this story about a cat who seeks shelter on a snowy day.

Book Synopsis

The joys of giving and receiving are celebrated in this easy-to-read Level B story.

On a cold day, a shivering cat jumps through the basement window of a small apartment building. Inside he meets Rat, who shows him upstairs. Along the way, Cat meets everyone in the building--and each of his new, welcoming neighbors has a gift to share.

When he reaches the top, Cat finds a place of his own. Cat is happy!

Cutaway illustrations of the apartment building, filled with the characters' cozy homes, give young readers plenty of details to pore over, and the spare text is simple enough for beginners to read on their own.

The award-winning I Like to Read(R) series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors--create original, high quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read with parents, teachers, or on their own!

Level B books, suitable for kindergarten readers, feature short sentences and high-frequency words. The illustrations provide clues to word meanings. When Level B is mastered, follow up with Level C.

Review Quotes

"The simple story and very limited vocabulary combine with cheerfully cluttered illustrations to create an engaging easy reader."--The Horn Book

"Cutaway illustrations throughout provide an intriguing peek at all the floors of this veritable zoo of a house. There is much to look at and wonder about in this lovely, fun story, complete with a subtle message about kindness."--Booklist

"Plenty of visual cues, lots of repetition and a clear story arc make this a perfect choice for beginning readers--and parents pressed for time will likely be happy to find such a short, sweet read-aloud."--Kirkus Reviews

"Three-word sentences allow beginning readers to connect with the action of the story while the bright spreads provide lots of opportunities for discussion. Repetitive sentence structure and an engaging, simple story with colorful illustrations offer incentive for new readers to develop their reading skills."--School Library Journal

About the Author

Steve Henry studied illustration and graphic design at the Pratt Institute and has had his artwork featured in the New York Times, TIME, and New York magazine. He has illustrated three I Like to Read books with Holiday House, including Happy Cat's companion book Cat Got A Lot and Hide!. He lives in New York City.