Kids will love making friends with Cat the Cat as she introduces them to her animal pals. This irresistible series for preschoolers focuses on simplifying essential concepts through vibrant art, spare text, and repetition. And in signature Mo Willems style, there's a gently funny twist at the end of each book! Mo Willems is the much-loved creator of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus , the Knuffle Bunny books, the Elephant & Piggie books, and many more. Along with Let’s Say Hi to Friends Who Fly (2010), this upbeat title introduces young children to a new cast of animal pals. In large, bold type well-suited for brand-new readers, a narrator asks the title’s question as winsome Cat the Cat, in a sporty purple dress, says hello to her friends, whose greetings, printed in speech balloons, give a little glimpse into each new character’s personality. Mouse the Mouse is straightforward (“Hello there!”), Duck the Duck is a bit formal (“A pleasure, as always!”), and Fish the Fish is surfer-cool (“Hey, dude!”). Then Cat the Cat runs into a many-armed alien, who is busily building a tower of blocks, and the text’s easy, back-and-forth rhythm screeches to a halt: “Cat the Cat, who is THAT?” asks the narrator. “I have no idea,” is Cat’s wary answer, until she recognizes the adorable stranger as “a NEW friend!” Once again, Willems avoids heavy messages and walks right into kids’ daily lives with this exuberant, clean-lined, animation-ready title that’s sure to widen his already vast fan base. Preschool-Grade 1. --Gillian Engberg “Charming and perfect for beginning readers.” - Brightly “Accessible, appealing, and full of authentic emotions about what makes friendships tick, these titles will put a contemporary shine on easy reader collections.” - Booklist (starred review) “These books will easily take their place alongside Seuss and Eastman as classics in the beginning-reader genre.” - Bulletin (starred review) Praise for KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE: “A comic gem” - Booklist (starred review) “Willems is the master of body language” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Willems once again demonstrates his keen insight with a story both witty and wise” - Publishers Weekly (starred review) Praise for KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY: “Irresistibly funny, tender, and universal, this is another consummate star turn for Trixie, daddy, bunny, and their creator.” - School Library Journal (starred review) “Not a word or image feels out of place.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review) Praise for the ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE series: “The masterful combination of early-reader convention and sly wit makes this pair of pals one to celebrate.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! A 2004 Caldecott Honor Book New York Times Best seller KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE A 2005 Caldecott Honor Book New York Times Best seller KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY A 2008 Caldecott Honor Book New York Times bestseller ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE series A 2008 Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal Winner for THERE IS A BIRD ON YOUR HEAD! A 2009 Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal Winner for ARE YOU READY TO PLAY OUTSIDE? New York Times bestselling series - . Praise for DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!: “The Pigeon is one of this decade’s contributions to the pantheon of great picture book characters.” - New York Times Cat the Cat sure likes her friends. You will too! Join this spunky feline as she introduces the very youngest readers to her world, where a surprise is waiting in every book! Mo Willems is all about letting imaginations run wild. He is the beloved artist and author behind #1 NYT bestselling and Caldecott Honors–awarded picture books like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus ! and the Knuffle Bunny series as well as his celebrated Elephant & Piggie early reader series. In addition to his Caldecott Honors, he garnered six Emmy Awards for his writing on Sesame Street , where he began his remarkable career. In 2023, Mo cofounded the Hidden Pigeon Company to extend the reach of his beloved characters and stories across multiple platforms. Mo Willems is a former child.