Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats
What’s inside...
Mrs. McTats loves cats and initially has only one cat, Abner. As more cats come scratching at her door, she welcomes them all and names them with different letters of the alphabet, stopping just short of Z. Eventually, her house is filled with twenty-five cats, and just when it seems complete, there’s one more scratch at the door. Mrs. McTats finds the final piece the family needs to feel complete. The playful rhymes and humorous illustrations in the book provide a delightful reading experience.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Mrs. McTats loves most about each of her cats?
How do you think the house changes as more cats arrive?
Why do you think Mrs. McTats keeps welcoming more cats?
How do the cats all get along together in such a busy house?
If you could name one of the cats, what would you name it and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the characters and the story. Ask them to imagine what it would be like to live in a house like Mrs. McTats’.
Discuss the theme of acceptance and kindness with your child, and how Mrs. McTats demonstrates these qualities.
Use the different cats as a fun way to practice counting or identifying colors and patterns with younger children.
For older children, explore themes of responsibility and caring for animals, discussing what needs to be done to keep pets healthy and happy.
After reading, engage in a creative activity like drawing their favorite scene from the book or writing a short story about a new animal arriving at Mrs. McTats' house.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and acceptance
Explanation: Mrs. McTats shows unconditional love and acceptance by welcoming each new cat into her home, no matter how many show up at her doorstep.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace differences and show kindness to everyone they meet, just as Mrs. McTats does with the cats.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: As the number of cats increases, Mrs. McTats must care for each one, showing children the responsibilities involved in taking care of others.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this by taking on small tasks at home, such as helping to feed pets or tidy up, to learn about being responsible.
Example Lesson: The joy of sharing
Explanation: Mrs. McTats and all her cats live together harmoniously, sharing their home and their lives, which highlights the value of community and sharing.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to share with others, whether it's toys, space, or time, promoting harmony and cooperation in daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: Mrs. McTats continually adapts her home as more cats arrive, teaching children the skill of adapting to new situations or changes in their environments.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be flexible when new situations arise, whether it's moving to a new classroom or welcoming a new family member.