Come Down, Cat

Come Down, Cat! is a tender and relatable story about patience, empathy, and companionship. When a beloved cat climbs too high and refuses to come down, a young boy spends the day coaxing and waiting, showing care and understanding. This gentle tale, written by Sonya Hartnett and illustrated by Lucia Masciullo, reflects on the rhythms of the day and the deep bonds between humans and animals. It uses minimal text and expressive visuals to convey big emotions, making it perfect for early years discussions on feelings and animal care. It also encourages storytelling through observation and inference, supporting literacy development in an emotionally rich context.

Educational Benefits:

• Supports emotional literacy, particularly themes of patience and empathy.
• Develops narrative skills through visual storytelling and character actions.
• Enhances early reading comprehension through simple yet meaningful text.
• Encourages discussions about pets, responsibility, and emotional connection.

Classroom Ideas:

• Use in discussions about feelings, especially frustration and care.
• Invite students to write their own version of a lost or stuck pet story.
• Create a sequencing activity based on the boy's actions throughout the day.
• Incorporate into a pet care or animal-themed unit in early childhood settings.

Information:

• Ages: 4 to 8 years
• Measurements: 28.0 cm x 24.0 cm