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Scrawny Cat
A lonely cat, a rainy night, and an empty dinghy launch a heartwarming, seafaring tale about finding home in unlikely places.
The scrawny cat used to belong to someone, someone who scratched his ears and let him lick her chin and knew his name. Now the only thing anyone ever calls him is "get out of here!" But when a snarling dog and a blowing rain turn the scrawny cat into a sailor cat, he learns that even a scared and shivery stray can find a kindred soul at the end of a storm-tossed night. Phyllis Root’s lyrical narrative joins with charming illustrations by Alison Friend in a classic, comforting tale about a lost creature that cat lovers (and story hounds) will cozy up to.
The scrawny cat used to belong to someone, someone who scratched his ears and let him lick her chin and knew his name. Now the only thing anyone ever calls him is "get out of here!" But when a snarling dog and a blowing rain turn the scrawny cat into a sailor cat, he learns that even a scared and shivery stray can find a kindred soul at the end of a storm-tossed night. Phyllis Root’s lyrical narrative joins with charming illustrations by Alison Friend in a classic, comforting tale about a lost creature that cat lovers (and story hounds) will cozy up to.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2011
1 person is currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis Root
107Ìýbooks69Ìýfollowers"Picture books are performances," says Phyllis Root, quoting some sage advice she once received. "They're performances that involve a child--something both of you do. And once I started thinking of them that way, I started getting much looser about making up words and playing around with rhythm."
Phyllis Root picked up an early affinity for colloquial language while growing up in Indiana and southern Illinois, "where people actually say things like, 'I got a hitch in my git-along'!" She decided to be a writer in the fifth grade, but it wasn't until she was thirty years old that she took a writing course with an influential teacher who gave her "the tools" she says she needed. "That's when I figured out that you could learn to be a writer," she says. What followed was a series of rollicking stories that take on a new life when read aloud, among them ONE DUCK STUCK, a one-of-a-kind counting book; KISS THE COW!, an affectionate salute to stubbornness; WHAT BABY WANTS, a tale of increasingly ridiculous efforts to quiet an infant that one reviewer compared to an episode of I LOVE LUCY, and LOOKING FOR A MOOSE, a buoyant tale with a final surprise discovery.
The author does "endless rewriting" before a book is finished, but often starts out by writing her stories in her head, a trick she learned as a time-pressed mother when her two daughters were very young. For example, RATTLETRAP CAR--a joyful celebration of perseverance--began with her playing around with sounds ("clinkety clankety, bing bang pop!") and calling up bits of old camp songs.
A master of rhythmic read-alouds, Phyllis Root exhibits a range many writers would envy. Her counting book TEN SLEEPY SHEEP is as serene and lulling as ONE DUCK STUCK is rambunctious. "Counting sheep isn't always easy," she notes. "Once, while we were farm-sitting, my daughter and I had to chase down two runaway lambs in the growing darkness, then count twenty-seven frisky lambs to make sure they were all safe for the night. Luckily, they were." OLIVER FINDS HIS WAY is a quiet, classic picture book about a defining moment in the life of a small child--getting lost and having the pluck to find the way home. On the other extreme, Phyllis Root takes on no less than the whole universe in BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD, a powerful, original, down-home creation myth that received rave reviews and won the prestigious BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. Most recently, Phyllis Root penned LUCIA AND THE LIGHT, a timeless adventure about one brave girl's quest that was inspired by Nordic lore.
When she's not writing, Phyllis Root teaches at Vermont College's MFA in Writing for Children program. She lives with her two daughters and two cats in a 100-year-old house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and loves to read (mostly mysteries with female protagonists) or spend time outdoors gardening, camping, sailing, or traveling. "One of the things I've learned about myself," she confides, "is that when I get really stuck and can't seem to get writing, it's because I've forgotten to take time out to play."
Phyllis Root picked up an early affinity for colloquial language while growing up in Indiana and southern Illinois, "where people actually say things like, 'I got a hitch in my git-along'!" She decided to be a writer in the fifth grade, but it wasn't until she was thirty years old that she took a writing course with an influential teacher who gave her "the tools" she says she needed. "That's when I figured out that you could learn to be a writer," she says. What followed was a series of rollicking stories that take on a new life when read aloud, among them ONE DUCK STUCK, a one-of-a-kind counting book; KISS THE COW!, an affectionate salute to stubbornness; WHAT BABY WANTS, a tale of increasingly ridiculous efforts to quiet an infant that one reviewer compared to an episode of I LOVE LUCY, and LOOKING FOR A MOOSE, a buoyant tale with a final surprise discovery.
The author does "endless rewriting" before a book is finished, but often starts out by writing her stories in her head, a trick she learned as a time-pressed mother when her two daughters were very young. For example, RATTLETRAP CAR--a joyful celebration of perseverance--began with her playing around with sounds ("clinkety clankety, bing bang pop!") and calling up bits of old camp songs.
A master of rhythmic read-alouds, Phyllis Root exhibits a range many writers would envy. Her counting book TEN SLEEPY SHEEP is as serene and lulling as ONE DUCK STUCK is rambunctious. "Counting sheep isn't always easy," she notes. "Once, while we were farm-sitting, my daughter and I had to chase down two runaway lambs in the growing darkness, then count twenty-seven frisky lambs to make sure they were all safe for the night. Luckily, they were." OLIVER FINDS HIS WAY is a quiet, classic picture book about a defining moment in the life of a small child--getting lost and having the pluck to find the way home. On the other extreme, Phyllis Root takes on no less than the whole universe in BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD, a powerful, original, down-home creation myth that received rave reviews and won the prestigious BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. Most recently, Phyllis Root penned LUCIA AND THE LIGHT, a timeless adventure about one brave girl's quest that was inspired by Nordic lore.
When she's not writing, Phyllis Root teaches at Vermont College's MFA in Writing for Children program. She lives with her two daughters and two cats in a 100-year-old house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and loves to read (mostly mysteries with female protagonists) or spend time outdoors gardening, camping, sailing, or traveling. "One of the things I've learned about myself," she confides, "is that when I get really stuck and can't seem to get writing, it's because I've forgotten to take time out to play."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 29, 2011
Only a cold-blooded, heartless being would not be moved by this heartwarming story.
September 27, 2011
I think this has to be one of my top favorite picture books of all time. It's just so heart wrenchingly sweet. I am not a cat person but this book brings me to tears every time I read it. Scrawny cat is lonely, little and lone. He used to belong to someone but now he wanders the street looking for a friendly home and a good meal. But everyone calls him "Get Out of Here". One day, he hides in a little boat and gets stranded at sea. He arrives on shore safely but very hungry. A sailor lady finds him. Will she call him "Get out of here" or will she be nice to him?
The illustrations are quite powerful. Those eyes. Those Eyes!!! They will break your heart in the best way possible.
The illustrations are quite powerful. Those eyes. Those Eyes!!! They will break your heart in the best way possible.
September 13, 2018
I think at this point when my co-workers see me crying at my desk they know I've just read a picture book about an animal.
If this book does not move you to tears you're probably a monster.
If this book does not move you to tears you're probably a monster.
April 25, 2025
Read this to my granddaughter. Scrawny Cat looks a little like one of her cats
February 23, 2020
Hungry, cold, and in desperate need of a friend, Scrawny Cat - who once belonged to someone who fed him, held him, and let him lick her chin - wanders through his small seaside village, shouted at by the shopkeepers, and chased by dogs. Finally, exhausted and alone, he takes shelter in a small dinghy during a rain storm, and awakens to find himself adrift. When he comes ashore again, he finds himself on a small island, and encounters a woman who seems friendly. But can he trust her...?
This tale of a little lost kitty who knew that "Get Out of Here!" wasn't his name, even though that was all that people ever called him, had me in hopeless sniffles this morning on my train-ride, as I was reading it. I'm a sucker for this kind of story - abandoned or lost animal finds a family and a home - in general, and Phyllis Root's narrative here is particularly well done. When combined with Alison Friend's expressive gouache artwork, it was very poignant indeed. Recommended to all young cat lovers, particularly those who appreciate rather melancholy stories with happy endings.
This tale of a little lost kitty who knew that "Get Out of Here!" wasn't his name, even though that was all that people ever called him, had me in hopeless sniffles this morning on my train-ride, as I was reading it. I'm a sucker for this kind of story - abandoned or lost animal finds a family and a home - in general, and Phyllis Root's narrative here is particularly well done. When combined with Alison Friend's expressive gouache artwork, it was very poignant indeed. Recommended to all young cat lovers, particularly those who appreciate rather melancholy stories with happy endings.
February 8, 2020
I quite liked this. When something that seems implausible like this is in a story, I read it as First it happened, Then the story was written. I'd give it three stars, but for some reason my inner child is hollering for another one....
February 3, 2020
Ok, full disclosure here...I am a cat person. I love cats and I love stories about cats. So I am likely to be somewhat biased toward cat stories. But I have to say that I loved this book. The story is so sweet and sad and I just wanted to give this poor kitty a home.
The way that the narrative shows how the cat doesn't understand why people shoo him away and call him 'Get out of here!' is truly heartbreaking. But the ending of the story is so utterly wonderful, I just wanted to cry.
I thought the illustrations were perfect - so expressive. Our cats often join us for storytime at night and we were thrilled to have one of them join us as we read this book. We really loved this story.
This book was featured as one of the selections for the February 2020: Celebrating Phyllis Root discussion at the in the Children's Books group here at Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
The way that the narrative shows how the cat doesn't understand why people shoo him away and call him 'Get out of here!' is truly heartbreaking. But the ending of the story is so utterly wonderful, I just wanted to cry.
I thought the illustrations were perfect - so expressive. Our cats often join us for storytime at night and we were thrilled to have one of them join us as we read this book. We really loved this story.
This book was featured as one of the selections for the February 2020: Celebrating Phyllis Root discussion at the in the Children's Books group here at Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
July 25, 2012
Life hasn't been good for the scrawny stray cat since he lost his family. All of the humans he encounters just yell at him to "get out of here!" It's no wonder he has difficulty trusting the lonely woman who discovers him after a storm. Will things be different for Scrawny Cat?
This is a sweet book that takes the POV of a frightened stray cat. It is a perfect choice for humane education, as it stresses kindness and compassion.
This is a sweet book that takes the POV of a frightened stray cat. It is a perfect choice for humane education, as it stresses kindness and compassion.
May 19, 2012
This is a great children's book about loneliness and belonging. Scrawny Cat used to belong to someone but has since been abandoned. All around town he is constantly shooed away and called "Get out of here!" Scrawny knows that isn't his name and misses the love and warmth he received from his former owner. One day when Scrawny is running from a dog, he seeks shelter in a boat. The rope tying the boat to the dock breaks and he is washed ashore. There he meets Emma, who lives by herself on an island and is lonely. These two end up providing companionship and love to each other. I really choked up reading this story. It's really touching and the illustrations are great as well. I honestly don't see how anyone could not like this book.
July 9, 2015
A homeless kitty finds a home in an unusual and unexpected place. Who wouldn't love a story like that? I'm a sucker for a stray cat, so I took to this tale right away. However, the illustrations here by Alison Friend really made this story for me. I love the way she drew the scrawny, sad-eyed stray kitty, and my favorite picture is where the kitty is on his new owner's lap, purring and kneading her. So cute! Recommended for cat lovers young and old!
May 16, 2014
I enjoyed this book because: awww, sad but with a happy ending cat stories and also- solo sailor ladies with are fine with just them, their boat, and a cat friend!
August 8, 2014
Made me cry
November 24, 2014
Very sweet art to go along with sweet story. The look Emma gave skipper is one of pure LOVE.
March 13, 2014
I loved this sweet story.
December 5, 2019
Scrawny cat used to have a family but now he lives on the streets, looking for someone to love him. One day he hides in a dingy, which gets blown out to sea during a storm. The boat happens to wash up on an island where a lonely woman lives and she gives him a home.
The artwork perfectly depicts the sun-bleached colors of a coastal town. This is a nice story, but nothing spectacular. We're told the woman used to be a sailor "but her ship had crashed on the rocks" and she "built a little house for herself." The way this is worded might leave you to believe that she's marooned on the island and, for some reason, this bothers me.
The artwork perfectly depicts the sun-bleached colors of a coastal town. This is a nice story, but nothing spectacular. We're told the woman used to be a sailor "but her ship had crashed on the rocks" and she "built a little house for herself." The way this is worded might leave you to believe that she's marooned on the island and, for some reason, this bothers me.
October 17, 2017
This is a heartwarming story about being lost, and then being found. There’s a hungry, lonely cat that used to be loved by a little girl. Now everyone chases him away. But then a ferocious dog chases him right into a dinghy boat which winds up drifting out to sea during a storm. Young readers will enjoy finding out if the cat can find his way to a new home. The paintings that illustrate the book are beautiful, especially the pages that show the cat sailing on the water.
February 13, 2018
I read 3-10 picture books a day to my kids and have for several years. This one really stands out as the best one to date. It has a deep plot and thoroughly fleshed out character emotions, in such a small package. Beautiful illustrations and quite a lot of emotion. Recommended for anyone, not just those reading to kids. Take 3 minutes out of your day and laugh, cry and then smile.
February 4, 2018
A stray cat wishes for someone to love, but is chased away by everyone. After hiding in a row boat that is loosed in a storm, it ends up on an island with a woman who adopts the cat, feeds it, and loves it.
October 13, 2020
Another story about a neglected unwanted animal who ends up finding a home. I may not be objective, because the first part happens too often, and the last part doesn't happen enough, but that may not affect whether or not children will like the story.
March 21, 2017
This story about a homeless cat that looks for comfort and a warm place to sleep has a pleasant outcome at the end. The cat thinks its name is "Get Out of Here" until he finds a loving home. It will warm the heart of cat lovers when things go right for the scrawny cat.
February 24, 2020
Nothing amazing or unique, but a fun, feel-good tale.
October 1, 2019
An absolute winner. Hits some notes of causing a little excess worry in readers (well... This reader) and listeners who are prone to worrying about animals, but it turns out so well I was happy to have gone on the ride. Love this one.
May 10, 2017
The kids and I enjoyed reading this book. Afterwards the kids asked what happened to the previous owner. After some discussion we remembered how one of our neighbor's had lost a cat and we tried to help find it. We ended up deciding that maybe this cat (who never went home) had found a happy new home.
I think it gives families who have lost their cat hope that someday, somehow their cat will find a happy new home, even if they never find their way back to the original owner.
I think it gives families who have lost their cat hope that someday, somehow their cat will find a happy new home, even if they never find their way back to the original owner.
March 24, 2012
A scrawny abandoned cat finds himself on a boat after a series of misadventures. His amazing journey takes him to a little island where he is taken in by Emma, a lone fisherwoman. I liked one of the final images of "Skipper" - showing that he's finally become a fat and happy cat. Gouche watercolor paintings with lots of blue and brown evoke the Maine coast.
December 10, 2014
Not much of a cat lover so this book was just okay. The pictures are pretty but I couldn't wait for the story to be over. I do think it is funny that the cat thinks people think his name is "Get out of Here" But the Scrawny cats finds a friend after he gets in a dinghy and sent out to see...his new name...is Sailor!
August 23, 2015
Sweet and true, SCRAWNY CAT is the tale of a much neglected cat who only wants to find a loving home. With vivid illustrations that will entertain kids without overwhelming them, SCRAWNY CAT will win the hearts of kids and adults alike. At its heart, it's about abandonment and hope, especially hope.
February 23, 2016
Really sweet picture book about an abandoned cat longing for the comfort and companionship he used to have. Everyone says "Get out of here" to him until he jumps into a dingy to escape a dog, the boat is swept across the bay in a storm, and he's discovered by a kind woman who welcomes his companionship... and the boat.
December 21, 2011
Aww, a scrawny little cat accidentally finds himself a good home. I really liked this book -- I enjoyed the artwork and I found the simple story sweet. Recommended for preschool and Kindergarten students.
December 12, 2011
I loved this book. It is a really cute and reasurring story about a scrawny cat who loses his owner, hides in a dinghy, and takes a ride out to sea. Of course it ends happily when the dinghy washes ashore and the cat is found by a lonely woman who takes him in and loves him. Nice illustrations too.
March 28, 2019
Effective use of rule of three. Varied sentence length. Good book.
Having reread the story all these years later, I still like the elements I looked before. I just want to add that I love the plot as much as the writing. Very satisfying book altogether.
Having reread the story all these years later, I still like the elements I looked before. I just want to add that I love the plot as much as the writing. Very satisfying book altogether.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
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