Flat Cat - by Tara Lazar (Hardcover)

About the Book

Flat Cat likes being flat--roaming anywhere and happy to be unseen--until one day he becomes fluffy, learning to enjoy the attention it brings--and grows to love being seen.

Book Synopsis

*"This amusing picture book is fun for reading aloud." --Booklist (starred review)

From Pete Oswald, New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Bad Seed series, and Tara Lazar, critically acclaimed author of 7 Ate 9, comes Flat Cat, the story of a cool cat who learns that sometimes life is about finding the best of both worlds.

"Whimsy, wonder, and wacky humor in just the right proportions." --GeekMom

Flat Cat was born flat. He wasn't squashed by an out-of-control ice cream truck, or smushed in a waffle iron. He was just flat. This slick, sly cat could stray and roam anywhere he pleased, keen and unseen. And wouldn't you know it, Flat Cat liked it just like that.

That is until one day, when Flat Cat accidentally fell splish splosh right in the wash. And when he emerged from the dryer, Flat Cat wasn't flat at all. He was adorably puffy and downright fluffy! And Flat Cat wasn't sure how he felt about that.

From acclaimed author Tara Lazar and brought to life by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald, this is a hilariously quirky and irreverent story that is sure to appeal to fans of Pete the Cat!

Praise for Flat Cat

A 2025-2026 Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award winner
A 2025 Washington Children's Choice Book Award nominee

"Lazar's wryly humorous tale won't leave young audiences flat, while Oswald's purple-tinged cartoon depictions of this Flat Stanley-style feline add their share of giggles (as usual). A hilarious reminder that versatility will have you feline fine." --Kirkus reviews

"Featuring groovy text, it's a Flat Stanley-flavored take on rolling with the punches and fluidly embracing newfound facets and friends." --Publishers Weekly

"Perfect for cat lovers who wonder how their feline escape artists seemingly walk through doors." --BCCB

Review Quotes

"Whimsy, wonder, and wacky humor in just the right proportions." --GeekMom

*"Oswald brings Flat Cat to life in digital pictures incorporating gouache textures. Drawn with quiet humor, the expressive, imaginative illustrations contrast the cat's self-sufficient demeanor with his inner need for affection. Lazar's narrative shifts in tone as the cool cat is transformed into an adorable one and back, until he realizes what he really wants. As the narrator comments in closing, "Smooth moves, Flat Cat!" This amusing picture book is fun for reading aloud." --Booklist (starred review)

"Flat or fluffy, is there a better way to be? Lazar's wryly humorous tale won't leave young audiences flat, while Oswald's purple-tinged cartoon depictions of this Flat Stanley-style feline add their share of giggles (as usual). A hilarious reminder that versatility will have you feline fine." --Kirkus reviews

"The "slick, sly" feline protagonist of this picture book is two-dimensional and loving it: his "smooth moves" involve roaming any place he pleases and snoozing "in any nook and cranny," including, as purple-tinted, thick-lined digital art by Oswald (Sleepy Sheepy) shows, draped over a towel bar . . . Featuring groovy text, it's a Flat Stanley-flavored take on rolling with the punches and fluidly embracing newfound facets and friends." --Publishers Weekly

"Oswald's gouache art depicts Flat Cat in all his purple, sunglasses-clad glory as he saunters in his flattened form through a pastel world of candy shops and city parks. That suaveness makes his transformation into a rumpled ball of fluff especially humorous; viewers will laugh at Flat Cat's death glare as the text boldly proclaims him "The most adorable, puffy, furry, fuzzy-wuzzy feline you ever did see!" This silly, nonsensical read is perfect for cat lovers who wonder how their feline escape artists seemingly walk through doors." --BCCB

About the Author

Tara Lazar finds it fabulous to be foolish about felines. She opened the door to a cat mewling, offered the stray a can of tuna, and the cat never left. She is the author of 7 Ate 9, The Monstore, Bloop and more. You can find them all--Tara, her husband, two daughters and a black cat--somewhere in New Jersey. Flat Cat is her 13th book. You can visit Tara Lazar online at taralazar.com.

Pete Oswald is the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Smart Cookie; The Couch Potato; The Cool Bean; The Good Egg; and The Bad Seed, all written by Jory John. Pete's authorial debut, Hike, was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. He is also the illustrator of Sleepy Sheepy, written by Lucy Ruth Cummins, and the indie bestsellers The Attack of the Underwear Dragon and The Return of the Underwear Dragon, written by Scott Roth­man. In addition to making picture books, he works on numerous highly success­ful animated franchises as a character designer, concept artist, and production designer. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons. You can visit Pete Oswald online at PeteOswald.com.