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.






