Flat Cat: The Class Pet

PreS-Gr 2–Flat Cat was born flat, and most of the time he likes it that way. One day, the wind blows Flat Cat into his friend Willow’s hoodie, and he looks forward to new experiences with her at elementary school. But the chaos becomes overwhelming, and Flat Cat seeks a quiet place to hide. When Willow needs help, Flat Cat quickly comes to her aid, and, in the process, realizes that being seen and loved isn’t so bad. A pastel palette, alliterative adjectives, and plenty of motion create the playful atmosphere of Flat Cat’s world. Illustrations expand on the narrative; simple facial expressions ensure that Flat Cat displays an array of emotions, while dynamic poses and diagonal lines show action. Full-page illustrations set the pace of work, while a short section of small vignettes emphasize the boisterousness of a school setting. Flat Cat’s adventures are amusing—he’s a paper airplane, a secret note, a bathroom pass—but like the message in Jeff Brown's Flat Stanley, this shows Flat Cat’s willingness to go with the flow and help out a friend in need.