Don't ask Cat!

Cat is a little too honest with friends, resulting in some hurt feelings, until gentle feedback and practice with a friend gets him to consider his words more carefully. The message is clear in this heartfelt story, and cheerful illustrations of a host of animal pals add to its humor. (c) Copyright 2025. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Cat takes being honest to extremes. Cat's blunt comments result in hurt feelings and confusion among his animal friends. He deems a friend's bathing suit "ridiculous," leaves a baseball game because he's bored, and even mocks the gift another pal presents to him. Cat also says that a baby bunny "stinks like POOP!" and rudely refuses sprinkles on his ice cream. When Cat realizes that his friends think that he's mean, a bluebird offers to help him learn some better manners. It's hard, but with a little effort, Cat manages to find something positive to say about the bird's nest. Later, he puts into practice what he's learned--thinking before speaking. It's not that he's being dishonest with his friends. Instead, Cat realizes that he doesn't need to say everything he is thinking and that some things should be kept to himself. The text flows smoothly, and the artwork effectively depicts the characters' emotions in various circumstances. An especially winsome image depicts Cat's almost baffled expression, paws pressed against his mouth, as he realizes how his thoughtless remarks are being perceived and struggles to find something unoffensive to say about Bird's nest. Humorously imparts an important lesson about candor and discretion. (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.