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The Cat Way
An unconventional story about navigating differences and learning to be present.
When a cat and her human go for walks, the human always decides where they go and what they do. “But what if it were the other way around?” the cat asks one day. So the next time, the human follows the cat. When the cat is in control, she wants to stop more often, and she wants to chase squirrels and climb up trees. Her human finds all these detours ridiculous. But when you walk at a cat’s pace, you can see the most amazing things.
Painted in richly saturated colors, The Cat Way explores the strange path to compromise and cooperation. Walking together might take some patience—but it can also lead to the most incredible surprises.
When a cat and her human go for walks, the human always decides where they go and what they do. “But what if it were the other way around?” the cat asks one day. So the next time, the human follows the cat. When the cat is in control, she wants to stop more often, and she wants to chase squirrels and climb up trees. Her human finds all these detours ridiculous. But when you walk at a cat’s pace, you can see the most amazing things.
Painted in richly saturated colors, The Cat Way explores the strange path to compromise and cooperation. Walking together might take some patience—but it can also lead to the most incredible surprises.
66 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2024
1 person is currently reading
228 people want to read
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July 15, 2024Een klassiek en verrassend verhaal over een baasje dat samen met zijn kat gaan wandelen. Na flink ronddwalen en spelen, komt dit baasje erachter dat zijn kat plots is verdwenen. In paniek en naarstig op zoek naar zijn kat, besluit het baasje daarom maar op één plek te blijven. Bij thuiskomst ligt de kat heerlijk te spinnen. Bij de volgende wandeling besluit dit baasje daarom de rollen eens om te draaien: nu mag de kat zijn baasje laten zien waar hij zelf het liefste wandelt. Met mooie schilderachtige prenten van Sara Lundberg en vertaald uit het Zweeds door Edward van de Vendel. Uitgegeven bij Tiptoe Print, vanaf 4-5 jaar.
We bespreken het boek in aflevering 116 van De Grote Vriendelijke Podcast. Luister nu via Spotify, je podcast-app of
We bespreken het boek in aflevering 116 van De Grote Vriendelijke Podcast. Luister nu via Spotify, je podcast-app of
October 13, 2024
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
The Cat Way is an absolutely beautiful illustrated children's picture book perfect for children and cat lovers alike.
The story follows a cat and their human as they go for their usual daily walk. But this day is different, and cat finds a friend that they want to play with and other humans they want to interact with. The human gets jealous and cross with cat, and they end up separating. When they get home, they decide to let cat be in charge of their daily walk the next day for a change. When they set out their walk is completely different; going to new places, seeing new things. The human gets scared then upset before finally seeing the beauty around them that they'd have never seen without cat.
This book teaches that sometimes, even leaders need to stop and travel in another's shoes to see things from another perception.
The Cat Way is an absolutely beautiful illustrated children's picture book perfect for children and cat lovers alike.
The story follows a cat and their human as they go for their usual daily walk. But this day is different, and cat finds a friend that they want to play with and other humans they want to interact with. The human gets jealous and cross with cat, and they end up separating. When they get home, they decide to let cat be in charge of their daily walk the next day for a change. When they set out their walk is completely different; going to new places, seeing new things. The human gets scared then upset before finally seeing the beauty around them that they'd have never seen without cat.
This book teaches that sometimes, even leaders need to stop and travel in another's shoes to see things from another perception.
February 7, 2025
Så fin! Känslan när katten nojsar med den vita katten är smärtsam, den svartsjukan!
September 24, 2024
A big thank you to NetGalley and the Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 out of 5 stars.
'The Cat Way' by Sara Lundberg is a beautiful book about a human and it's cat owner. They like to go for walks, but the cat is in charge.
Children would really enjoy this book and the art was incredible, but it felt a little chunky and slow for me. I am not saying the kids won't lobe it, but unless you're really bubbly just know the entertainment needs to come from you for this. Lots of cute voices and cat noises should do it.
The font is a little hard to see sometimes, but in general: this is a lovely book.
It would be good in any little library.
3 out of 5 stars.
'The Cat Way' by Sara Lundberg is a beautiful book about a human and it's cat owner. They like to go for walks, but the cat is in charge.
Children would really enjoy this book and the art was incredible, but it felt a little chunky and slow for me. I am not saying the kids won't lobe it, but unless you're really bubbly just know the entertainment needs to come from you for this. Lots of cute voices and cat noises should do it.
The font is a little hard to see sometimes, but in general: this is a lovely book.
It would be good in any little library.
May 17, 2024
Ik ben geen katten- of hondenmens (twijfel zelfs aan het mensenmens zijn), maar dit prentenboek over twee vrienden (kat en mens) vertelt zo´n mooi universeel verhaal dat je vanbinnen wel dood moet zijn om hier niet door geraakt te worden. Vandaag dus ontdekt: ik heb een hart! Prachtige prenten, net voldoende woorden, de juiste formuleringen... Lezen!
(Doe jezelf en TIPTOE Print een plezier en schenk/koop dit prentenboek. Voor alles en iedereen, zeker ook voor vaderdag. Sommige papa´s kunnen immers (voor)lezen.)
(Doe jezelf en TIPTOE Print een plezier en schenk/koop dit prentenboek. Voor alles en iedereen, zeker ook voor vaderdag. Sommige papa´s kunnen immers (voor)lezen.)
August 18, 2024
"Een kat en een baasje en hun alledaagse wandeling. Dat is wat de omslag en titel de lezer vertelt over de inhoud van dit prentenboek. Maar hoewel het verhaal zich misschien ogenschijnlijk simpel presenteert, en de start van het verhaal niet veel anders toont, is De Kattenwandeling van de Zweedse Sara Lundberg een prentenboek dat verrast."
Lees verder op !
Lees verder op !
January 19, 2025
A person thinks they are in a power struggle with their cat, but it is but a symbolic battle in a war lost long before. So they make the best of it.
This is the second children's picture book I've read in the last month or so with a very unnecessary fold-out panoramic spread.
This is the second children's picture book I've read in the last month or so with a very unnecessary fold-out panoramic spread.
February 15, 2025
You do not need to have an outdoor cat. And if you do have an outdoor cat, you do not need to let it go after birds, squirrels, and insects in their homes.
December 26, 2024
A human and their cat go for their daily walk, with the human choosing the direction for them both. But this time, the cat plays with another cat, and their human feels left out and orders the cat to come with them. Unsurprisingly, this backfires, with the cat heading off in search of amusement.
After the two eventually reunite at home, the human says the cat can pick where they go the next day, and though it's difficult to navigate the cat's path, the human gets an appreciation for the new and beautiful things on this journey.
The illustrations are great at capturing cat expressions of pleasure, as well as the beauties of the night sky and the forest and the pair walk through.
A quiet story, author Sara Lundberg shows how it's necessary to see things from other's perspectives, and how beneficial this can be.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for this ARC in exchange for my review.
After the two eventually reunite at home, the human says the cat can pick where they go the next day, and though it's difficult to navigate the cat's path, the human gets an appreciation for the new and beautiful things on this journey.
The illustrations are great at capturing cat expressions of pleasure, as well as the beauties of the night sky and the forest and the pair walk through.
A quiet story, author Sara Lundberg shows how it's necessary to see things from other's perspectives, and how beneficial this can be.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for this ARC in exchange for my review.
March 15, 2024
Une jolie histoire sur la difficulté de changer ses habitudes et l'importance de laisser, parfois, son petit chat décider à sa place.
April 22, 2025
A cat teaches its person about The Way, which requires the human to stray from the beaten path of their routine daily walk into the unfamiliar to experience a patch of wilderness, the vastness of the cosmos, and a different way of being. Quirky yet evocative illustrations demonstrate why felines have long been the familiars of spiritual masters, the keepers of sacred sites, and comforters of lonely hearts.
December 20, 2024
3 1/2 stars. Lovely and odd and episodic. An anthropomorphic cat becomes disgruntled at walks always led by its human. (Appears to be tween/teen girl) when the cat leads things are far less civilized. human neediness and lack of survival skills are on display. Lovely illustrations but with more art appeal than kid appeal.
March 29, 2023
Så vackert illustrerad, kanske för abstrakt för dottern även om hon uppskattar bilderboken mycket och vill läsa om och om igen.
August 5, 2024
Niedługa lecz wciągająca opowieść o tym, że czasami warto pobłądzić i wyjść poza swoje przyzwyczajenia i schematy aby zobaczyć coś nowego, niezwykłego, inspirującego.
September 6, 2024
Een prachtige prentenboek over een kat en hun mens. En over hoe verhoudingen kunnen veranderen maar daarom niet minder mooi hoeven te zijn.
September 6, 2024
My five-year-old daughter loves to pretend to be a cat. For three months last year, she woke up; got dressed; and clipped on a cat tail to her tights, put a toy collar around her neck, and set a cat ear headband on her head. Thirty minutes later, at school, the tail and collar would come off and go into her backpack to await the end of the school day when she could be a cat once again. The Cat Way is, on its surface, about cats and their independence. Dig a bit deeper and—like my daughter—you just might catch a hint of the similarities between cats and children.
The book opens with a cat and their person going for a walk. The person tells the cat where to go and when to go there. But then the cat sees another cat and wants to play. It wants other people to pet it. It wants freedom. It wants agency. It wants to be in charge. The cat’s owner is sad and leaves them. He’s worried that he won’t have his cat anymore, that other people will take her, that she will love them more, that they won’t know how to feed or take care of her. He arrives home and there’s the cat, already there.
The second part of The Cat Way starts off with a walk but the cat is in charge. They go places the human would never. They’re a little more adventurous, being a little more dangerous, and the result—well, I shan’t ruin the artistic surprise at the end—but let me just tell you that Sara Lundberg illustrates the end result in magnificent fashion. (For a bit of a spoiler, just see the beauty that is the front cover.)
I think there’s a lot to be said in this book about childhood and independence. As a parent, my takeaway from this is that when I allow my children space to explore and make their own decisions, they might lead me into beauties and wonders I’d otherwise never see. Freedom and agency to choose allows them space to flourish—and that freedom and agency should not be seen as a threat to me as a parent. It doesn’t mean they love me less. It doesn’t mean they hate my path. It simply means they must grow up and be able to learn and explore their own paths, all while having a safe space called home to which they can return.
The book opens with a cat and their person going for a walk. The person tells the cat where to go and when to go there. But then the cat sees another cat and wants to play. It wants other people to pet it. It wants freedom. It wants agency. It wants to be in charge. The cat’s owner is sad and leaves them. He’s worried that he won’t have his cat anymore, that other people will take her, that she will love them more, that they won’t know how to feed or take care of her. He arrives home and there’s the cat, already there.
The second part of The Cat Way starts off with a walk but the cat is in charge. They go places the human would never. They’re a little more adventurous, being a little more dangerous, and the result—well, I shan’t ruin the artistic surprise at the end—but let me just tell you that Sara Lundberg illustrates the end result in magnificent fashion. (For a bit of a spoiler, just see the beauty that is the front cover.)
I think there’s a lot to be said in this book about childhood and independence. As a parent, my takeaway from this is that when I allow my children space to explore and make their own decisions, they might lead me into beauties and wonders I’d otherwise never see. Freedom and agency to choose allows them space to flourish—and that freedom and agency should not be seen as a threat to me as a parent. It doesn’t mean they love me less. It doesn’t mean they hate my path. It simply means they must grow up and be able to learn and explore their own paths, all while having a safe space called home to which they can return.
October 29, 2024
This story is about changing your perspective and about compromising.
Interestingly, since the story is told in two parts, the reader/viewer gets to experience the change of perspective, too.
The first part offers the person’s perspective of walking their cat and trying to direct the journey until their cat finally stops to ask, “why are you in charge?” This sudden realization that the cat can talk completely works in this imaginative, kid-scape where roads are long and adults extra tall and everything is just a tad surreal—inviting curiosity.
So, in the second part, the next day, the pair goes for a walk ‘the cat way.’ And the reader/viewer, get to see the world from this new, much lower down and closer up perspective as they go into the woods, where there is no path.
A huge fold-out starry sky at the end of this emotional journey and physical exploration is the pay off — the deep inky watercolours punctuated by bright yellow light create an absorbing and atmospheric moment that show the reader the importance of change and compromise.
What a memorable read! Thank you to the publisher for this review copy.
Author & illustrator: @saralundbergart
Translator: @bjwoodstein
Interestingly, since the story is told in two parts, the reader/viewer gets to experience the change of perspective, too.
The first part offers the person’s perspective of walking their cat and trying to direct the journey until their cat finally stops to ask, “why are you in charge?” This sudden realization that the cat can talk completely works in this imaginative, kid-scape where roads are long and adults extra tall and everything is just a tad surreal—inviting curiosity.
So, in the second part, the next day, the pair goes for a walk ‘the cat way.’ And the reader/viewer, get to see the world from this new, much lower down and closer up perspective as they go into the woods, where there is no path.
A huge fold-out starry sky at the end of this emotional journey and physical exploration is the pay off — the deep inky watercolours punctuated by bright yellow light create an absorbing and atmospheric moment that show the reader the importance of change and compromise.
What a memorable read! Thank you to the publisher for this review copy.
Author & illustrator: @saralundbergart
Translator: @bjwoodstein
September 22, 2024
“So we stand there, glaring at one another, my cat and I. We stand like that for a long time.
Finally she says,
"Why are you always in charge?”
The Cat’s Way is an illustrated children’s book about a girl who like to walk her cat, and they always do the exact same thing because that’s what the human wants. But the cat isn’t happy with this and wants to be the one who is in charge of what they do for a change. The book looks at the walk from the perspective of the human first where the cat is unhappy and ends up going home alone, and then the cat’s where the human is unhappy but the cat is thrilled.
It is a cute book that examines what it means to communicate and compromise with your loved ones/ friends. The illustrations are beautifully detailed and intricate and the story itself makes sense is enjoyable to read and look at more than once. I got this book as an ebook arc copy from netgalley but would actually recommend this as a physical copy purchase for someone with young children and cats under the age of 5.
Finally she says,
"Why are you always in charge?”
The Cat’s Way is an illustrated children’s book about a girl who like to walk her cat, and they always do the exact same thing because that’s what the human wants. But the cat isn’t happy with this and wants to be the one who is in charge of what they do for a change. The book looks at the walk from the perspective of the human first where the cat is unhappy and ends up going home alone, and then the cat’s where the human is unhappy but the cat is thrilled.
It is a cute book that examines what it means to communicate and compromise with your loved ones/ friends. The illustrations are beautifully detailed and intricate and the story itself makes sense is enjoyable to read and look at more than once. I got this book as an ebook arc copy from netgalley but would actually recommend this as a physical copy purchase for someone with young children and cats under the age of 5.
November 20, 2024
Friction arises when a woman takes her cat for a walk and decides the route, the pace, the ending time – everything. Even when the cat finds a lovely new friend (possibly, but not definitely, of the kitten-giving friendship kind) – that's decided about too. So what is to be done, but for the decisions to swap ownership, and for the human to now start following the cat's way? For that's bound to work out well…
An advert for introducing a little randomness, insecurity and irresponsibility into your life – only a little, mind, of course – this is a pleasant read. A lot of the text is off to one side of, or underneath, the visuals, but I didn't find the watercolour artworks all that amazing. I did find a gentle invite to get lost, in the gentlest way, and to be a touch more sharing and a touch more daring. It's quite a clever moral, even if not every young reader will immediately grasp it and relate to it. To that end, four stars is perhaps a touch generous, but it's close enough.
An advert for introducing a little randomness, insecurity and irresponsibility into your life – only a little, mind, of course – this is a pleasant read. A lot of the text is off to one side of, or underneath, the visuals, but I didn't find the watercolour artworks all that amazing. I did find a gentle invite to get lost, in the gentlest way, and to be a touch more sharing and a touch more daring. It's quite a clever moral, even if not every young reader will immediately grasp it and relate to it. To that end, four stars is perhaps a touch generous, but it's close enough.
December 18, 2024
“The Cat Way” is good at provoking strong emotions and an introspective mood. I’m currently trying with little success to adopt a feral black-and-white cat. While reading about the child’s feeling of abandonment after her cat gets frustrated and leaves, I was having some vague negative feelings, and assuming it meant I wasn’t liking the book. A few more pages’ clarity and I realized no, I had actually been very well transported into that child’s perspective of fear and loss.
Later on, I appreciated the subtlety when the child ventures into the woods against her better judgment and it ends up not being a perfect walk. It shows that being a friend involves compromises.
It’s a bit less successful in its artistic approach. The illustrations are rather muddy and lackluster (not just “muted”). But I did adore the 2 page spread of the cat chasing the squirrel with a devilish grin on its face.
3 / 5 stars.
Later on, I appreciated the subtlety when the child ventures into the woods against her better judgment and it ends up not being a perfect walk. It shows that being a friend involves compromises.
It’s a bit less successful in its artistic approach. The illustrations are rather muddy and lackluster (not just “muted”). But I did adore the 2 page spread of the cat chasing the squirrel with a devilish grin on its face.
3 / 5 stars.
February 7, 2025
I don't know where the "real" part of the story ends and the metaphor begins, and I think that is perfect in The Cat Way. We don't know if the cat was really gone for seasons or if it just felt like that to the girl. We don't know if the cat really questioned the girl or if it just felt that way. With cats, the uncertainty is a perfect fit.
This Swedish import pushes the reader to consider the meaning of time and the concept of control in relationships. While neither the girl nor the cat embraces relinquishing control on their walks, both love one another and come to a place of agreement and mutual respect. In retrospect, there is a fair amount of stuff going on with The Cat Way, not just the story of a kitty who disappeared for a while when out on a walk. But really that is true of life - scratch the surface of anything and layers of meaning are revealed. So maybe the whole story is a metaphor. It makes you think.
This Swedish import pushes the reader to consider the meaning of time and the concept of control in relationships. While neither the girl nor the cat embraces relinquishing control on their walks, both love one another and come to a place of agreement and mutual respect. In retrospect, there is a fair amount of stuff going on with The Cat Way, not just the story of a kitty who disappeared for a while when out on a walk. But really that is true of life - scratch the surface of anything and layers of meaning are revealed. So maybe the whole story is a metaphor. It makes you think.
September 17, 2024
This is a sweet, and unique illustrated book. I definitely felt like this was an illustrated book that’s intended as a children’s book rather than the style that’s illustrated yet more geared to grown ups.
There’s a nice message here about listening to a cat’s wants and needs rather than just doing everything your way. I think that’s a great message for everyone to learn.
I think it’s probably worth mentioning that the cat in the book is outside without a collar or leash or anything. I feel like this might provoke cause conversations with kids about why their cat isn’t allowed outside. I’m overthinking a kids’ book here because I have indoor only cats and I don’t have kids.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. This book is sweet, it has a nice message and I enjoyed that the cat in the book kind of resembles some of mine :)
There’s a nice message here about listening to a cat’s wants and needs rather than just doing everything your way. I think that’s a great message for everyone to learn.
I think it’s probably worth mentioning that the cat in the book is outside without a collar or leash or anything. I feel like this might provoke cause conversations with kids about why their cat isn’t allowed outside. I’m overthinking a kids’ book here because I have indoor only cats and I don’t have kids.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. This book is sweet, it has a nice message and I enjoyed that the cat in the book kind of resembles some of mine :)
February 7, 2025
#TheCatWay #NetGalley
I received a copy of this children's book from NetGalley.
A human takes his cat for a daily walk, obviously, the human chooses the way they are going to walk. During the walk, when the cat plays with another cat, the human gets jealous and calls the cat back, and then they go their separate ways! However, later the cat returns to the house and then they decide that the next day the cat would choose the way or direction of their daily walk. In this way, even though navigating the cat’s way was difficult, the human gets to appreciate the new findings on this journey!
Learning and accepting differences is a key message in this story. Compromise, perspectives, cooperation, and perseverance - very important values discussed within this story.
Excellent illustrations that are very expressive.
I received a copy of this children's book from NetGalley.
A human takes his cat for a daily walk, obviously, the human chooses the way they are going to walk. During the walk, when the cat plays with another cat, the human gets jealous and calls the cat back, and then they go their separate ways! However, later the cat returns to the house and then they decide that the next day the cat would choose the way or direction of their daily walk. In this way, even though navigating the cat’s way was difficult, the human gets to appreciate the new findings on this journey!
Learning and accepting differences is a key message in this story. Compromise, perspectives, cooperation, and perseverance - very important values discussed within this story.
Excellent illustrations that are very expressive.
October 6, 2024
Brief summary: Part 1: The person walks with the cat every day, always leading the way. The cat stops to play with a friend, but the human scares the friend away by stomping a foot. The feline asks, "Why are you always in charge?"
The cat leaves the human who stays outside looking all over for the cat. Frozen, the person goes home to find the cat.
Part 2: Today, the cat is in charge and takes the human on a little adventure into the woods. The cat shows the human a beautiful night sky before going home. They decide to compromise by taking turns who can be in charge of their walks.
Comments: The illustrations were created using gouache and watercolor.
Rating: 4.5 /5 📗📗📗📗1/2
The cat leaves the human who stays outside looking all over for the cat. Frozen, the person goes home to find the cat.
Part 2: Today, the cat is in charge and takes the human on a little adventure into the woods. The cat shows the human a beautiful night sky before going home. They decide to compromise by taking turns who can be in charge of their walks.
Comments: The illustrations were created using gouache and watercolor.
Rating: 4.5 /5 📗📗📗📗1/2
November 26, 2024
This is about someone who takes their cat for a walk. And the second day the cat takes the human for the walk. The coloring and the way the story is laid out makes the reader feel hollow. It’s almost like this is fine or that you’re not old enough to understand. While reading this book, I feel like part of Mr. Bigg’s funeral (and just like that) where it had to be in the ultimate stylish place. That was a big white void. That’s not saying this book is bad. This book is good. Just a quiet lonely contemplative feeling. On a moment notice I would have a hard time matching this book to a young reader, but the reader is out there.
January 21, 2025
Cat wants to know - why is the human always in charge? The cat and her human have a bit of a tiff. But the human decides to let the cat lead... and it's hard. They go into the woods. And it's dark and scary... and hard to trust the cat.
But it all works out very well in the end!
I am definitely a cat person so I really enjoyed this one! The illustrations are delightfully quirky - especially the people. I loved cat's expressions. And it really is for a wide variety of ages! And it covers a broad range of emotions - grief, anger, jealousy, delight, wonder - and learning new things.
But it all works out very well in the end!
I am definitely a cat person so I really enjoyed this one! The illustrations are delightfully quirky - especially the people. I loved cat's expressions. And it really is for a wide variety of ages! And it covers a broad range of emotions - grief, anger, jealousy, delight, wonder - and learning new things.
August 19, 2024
Takes a couple of readings to absorb the understated charm. A human and a cat disagree about how going for a walk works. So they decide to alternate days with each of them having a day when they're in charge. The cat leads the human into the woods at night. The human frets about being lost, but the cat guides them to a clearing with gorgeous stars.
October 15, 2024
The illustrations are to die for! Atmospheric, they capture the mood perfectly. This book tells the story of pushing beyond your comfort zone, especially for the sake of a friend. You never know, you might find a new thing to love if you do! I only wish the text of the story was a little more whimsical to match the narrative.
Free proof copy provided by Netgalley.
Free proof copy provided by Netgalley.
November 13, 2024
Beautiful important story with a message for adults. Never forget to put yourself in the paws or shoes of the "other." Only in doing that will you ever learn what wonder is, and how to gain compassion for other beings and their lives, and to reach beyond selfish living. Not to mention what a great adventure you will have! The story, Sassa the cat and the illustrations are superb.
January 10, 2025
I found this book because it was one of the NYTimes 10 best illustrated picture books of 2024, and yes, the artwork is captivating, as is the story, which is quite philosophical. Children will no doubt delight in this book but so will adults, some of whom I'm sending it to like a beautiful, outsize greeting card.
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