The Cat Who Couldn't Be Bothered
on Goodreads (407)
What’s inside...
This children's picture book tells the story of a seemingly indifferent cat who prefers to stay home rather than join his friends on adventures. Despite his friends' attempts to involve him in various activities, the cat persistently refuses. It is only when a friend takes the time to ask how he is feeling that the cat reveals he is sad. The book emphasizes the importance of discussing feelings, supporting friends, and addressing mental health. It serves as a valuable tool for introducing children to the concepts of emotional wellbeing and empathy, making it suitable for both personal reading and classroom discussions.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the cat didn't want to be bothered? What might he be feeling?
How do you think the other animals felt when the cat didn't want to play? Have you ever felt like that?
What changed the cat’s mind about joining the others? Can you think of a time when you changed your mind about something?
What does this story teach us about friendship and patience?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their own feelings about times when they wanted to be alone or join in with others, relating it to the cat's experiences.
Discuss the importance of respecting others' feelings and the value of being patient, drawing parallels between the book’s narrative and real-life situations.
Use expressive reading to highlight the emotions of the characters, asking your child how they think each character is feeling at different points in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story centers around a cat who initially avoids responsibilities, but eventually learns the importance of fulfilling duties.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to completing their own tasks such as homework or chores, understanding that responsibility is a key part of daily life.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Throughout the book, the cat learns to understand and share the feelings of other animals around him, particularly noticing when his friends are in need.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be more aware of the emotions of others around them, fostering a more empathetic approach in their interactions.
Example Lesson: The importance of effort
Explanation: As the cat begins to take care of his own needs and help others, he realizes that effort leads to personal and communal rewards.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to put effort into their endeavors, be it schoolwork or relationships, as they see the positive outcomes that come from working hard.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: The cat faces various challenges but learns to adapt by finding new ways to solve problems, showing resilience and flexibility.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of adapting to different situations, whether adjusting to a new school environment or finding new ways to solve a conflict.
Example Lesson: Joy in Helping Others
Explanation: By the end of the book, the cat finds happiness in being useful and helping his friends, shifting from self-centric to community-centric.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the fulfillment that comes from helping others, encouraging them to participate in community service or simply support their friends and family.