They All Saw a Cat – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

They All Saw a Cat

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2016

96%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

A cat walks through the world, and everyone sees something different—gorgeous art teaches perspective in the smartest picture book of the decade.

They All Saw a Cat

book

2016

96%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

A cat walks through the world, and everyone sees something different—gorgeous art teaches perspective in the smartest picture book of the decade.

4.8

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4.8

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Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the rare picture book that's genuinely innovative—not just well-executed, but actually doing something new. Brendan Wenzel took a philosophical concept (everyone perceives reality differently) and made it concrete, gorgeous, and kid-accessible.

The art is stunning. Each spread uses a completely different style to show how the cat appears to different creatures—bold and geometric for the child, blurry and nose-forward for the dog, enormous and terrifying for the mouse, wavery and distorted for the fish. It's a masterclass in visual storytelling.

But what makes it truly great is how kids respond. Parents report immediate re-read requests and spontaneous discussions about perspective. That's the gold standard for picture books—when kids want to engage deeper, not just move on.

At 96, this is one of the highest scores we give to picture books, and it's earned. If you only buy one picture book this year, make it this one.

Age Fit

Best for ages 3-8, though the concept deepens as kids mature. Preschoolers love the simple text and varied pictures, while kindergarteners and early elementary kids grasp the perspective lesson. Works beautifully as a read-aloud for mixed-age groups.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Gentle, peaceful book that models curiosity and empathy. The cat simply walks through the world encountering different creatures—no conflict, no meanness, just observation. The tone is calm and contemplative, perfect for bedtime or quiet reading time.

Imaginative

Brilliant visual concept executed gorgeously. Each spread shows the same cat through different eyes—a child, a dog, a fox, a fish, a bee—with completely different artistic styles and perspectives. It's a game-changer for teaching kids that everyone sees the world differently. The Caldecott Honor and rave reviews ('ingenious idea, gorgeously realized') confirm this is genuinely innovative picture book art.

Safe

100

Zero concerns. A cat walks, animals observe, that's it. No scary moments, no sad themes, no violence. The only 'predator' moment is when a fox sees the cat as prey, but it's stylized and conceptual, not frightening. Books don't get safer than this.

Enriching

Teaches perspective-taking and theory of mind in the most elegant way possible. Kids learn that how you see something depends on who you are—a profound concept delivered through simple, gorgeous art. Parents report kids asking for it 'again immediately' and wanting to discuss why the cat looks different to everyone. That's genuine learning through engagement.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Caldecott Honor winner with stunning, varied artwork—each page is a completely different visual style showing how different creatures see the same cat
Teaches theory of mind and perspective-taking without being preachy—kids naturally start discussing why the cat looks scary to the mouse but small to the dog
Parents report kids asking for immediate re-reads and engaging in rich conversations about perception
Works for a wide age range—toddlers love the simple text and pictures, older kids grasp the deeper concept
The Wall Street Journal called it 'the single best children's book of the past 20 years'—and they're not wrong

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What to Watch For

One spread shows a fox viewing the cat as prey (stylized, not scary, but worth noting for very sensitive kids)
The concept might go over the heads of younger toddlers, but they'll still enjoy the pictures—it grows with your kid

Conversation Starters

"How do you think our dog sees you? What about your baby sister?"
"If you were a fish looking up from underwater, what would I look like?"
"Why does the cat look scary to the mouse but friendly to the child?"
"What animal would you want to be, and how would the world look different?"

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