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What George Thinks When He Sits Still
Have you ever wondered what a cat is thinking?
In this tender, beautifully illustrated picture book, readers follow George—a dreamy, thoughtful cat—as he rests in sunbeams, watches the world pass by, and reflects on quiet moments. The story begins from an outside perspective, then gently shifts into George’s own voice—inviting children and grown-ups alike to slow down and listen more closely� to cats, to stillness, and maybe even to themselves.
What George Thinks When He Sits Still is a calming, poetic experience for cat lovers, gentle-hearted children, teachers, and anyone who finds magic in quiet moments. Whether enjoyed at bedtime or shared in a classroom, it’s a beautiful resource for lesson planning, SEL conversations, and imaginative storytime.
The book also introduces young readers to first- and third-person narration, making it a thoughtful addition to classrooms and homeschool settings.
Aligned with Common Core ELA standards for grades K�, this book
Narrative perspective (RL.1.6, RL.2.6)Text and illustration analysis (RL.1.7, RL.2.7)Social-emotional learning and mindful reflection
A perfect choice
Curious and gentle readers ages 4�9SEL and mindfulness momentsCozy classrooms or quiet bedtime ritualsCat lovers of all agesTeachers seeking literature for lesson planning or anchor textsFamilies and educators who believe stillness can be magical
In this tender, beautifully illustrated picture book, readers follow George—a dreamy, thoughtful cat—as he rests in sunbeams, watches the world pass by, and reflects on quiet moments. The story begins from an outside perspective, then gently shifts into George’s own voice—inviting children and grown-ups alike to slow down and listen more closely� to cats, to stillness, and maybe even to themselves.
What George Thinks When He Sits Still is a calming, poetic experience for cat lovers, gentle-hearted children, teachers, and anyone who finds magic in quiet moments. Whether enjoyed at bedtime or shared in a classroom, it’s a beautiful resource for lesson planning, SEL conversations, and imaginative storytime.
The book also introduces young readers to first- and third-person narration, making it a thoughtful addition to classrooms and homeschool settings.
Aligned with Common Core ELA standards for grades K�, this book
Narrative perspective (RL.1.6, RL.2.6)Text and illustration analysis (RL.1.7, RL.2.7)Social-emotional learning and mindful reflection
A perfect choice
Curious and gentle readers ages 4�9SEL and mindfulness momentsCozy classrooms or quiet bedtime ritualsCat lovers of all agesTeachers seeking literature for lesson planning or anchor textsFamilies and educators who believe stillness can be magical
106 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2025
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
June 10, 2025
Cats and little flowers surrounded by positive thoughts. It could have been adorable, but it's just disgraceful and dishonest.
I had my doubts right from the cover, with its tones and style so typical of AI, but the following pages only confirmed my suspicions...
The cat has no consistency from one page to the next: it's missing bits of tail, the ear appears in the back, the human doesn't have its head in the bed... It's a disaster to sell such a product.
Above all, I couldn't find any mention of the use of AI.
The text (like the images) is soulless, bland and meaningless - not to mention repetitive.
What a surprise (or not): at the end of the 'book', in the 'About the author' section, the author explains that she writes, but never says that she draws. At no point does she mention AI, even though the book's entire illustration clearly depends on it.
The Instagram account of the initiator of the project is no longer accessible since I wrote this text. It's a pity, because it contained photos of cats - she could have used them to create real montages and honour her cat, along with her texts.
I had my doubts right from the cover, with its tones and style so typical of AI, but the following pages only confirmed my suspicions...
The cat has no consistency from one page to the next: it's missing bits of tail, the ear appears in the back, the human doesn't have its head in the bed... It's a disaster to sell such a product.
Above all, I couldn't find any mention of the use of AI.
The text (like the images) is soulless, bland and meaningless - not to mention repetitive.
What a surprise (or not): at the end of the 'book', in the 'About the author' section, the author explains that she writes, but never says that she draws. At no point does she mention AI, even though the book's entire illustration clearly depends on it.
The Instagram account of the initiator of the project is no longer accessible since I wrote this text. It's a pity, because it contained photos of cats - she could have used them to create real montages and honour her cat, along with her texts.
June 8, 2025
This was absolutely adorable. I don't have a cat, but the stray I pet constantly is getting extra turkey tomorrow because I'm so emotional and soft and fuzzy over this little gem of a book.
The writing is filled with love and the illustrations are so pretty and comforting<3
I don't care if you're a child, grandpa, cat owner, allergic to cats, have never seen a cat in your entire life : You NEED to read this.
The writing is filled with love and the illustrations are so pretty and comforting<3
I don't care if you're a child, grandpa, cat owner, allergic to cats, have never seen a cat in your entire life : You NEED to read this.
June 8, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was super cute for and very nice for what it is. Although advertised as a children's book, I don't think I could get my son to settle down long enough to read this with me. However, this makes for a lovely little book for cat fans. It is beautifully illustrated and does convey a bit of wisdome: find some quiet and enjoy the world around you in this busy time we live in.
It may not be anything groundbreaking but I feel as though this could make a nice feel good book that a cat lover can pull off the shelf in times of poor mood to just lighten up the spirits.
June 10, 2025
George is a calm and sweet-mannered cat and the book follows his little habits and favourite things. The illustrations are soft and so beautiful, and the short paragraphs that accompany them are almost poetic.
My favourite paragraph has to be, "And when you sit still beside him, he doesn't think at all. He just feels. Like the world is soft, and time is kind, and love is something for him." 🥹🥹🥹
There are some cat facts towards the end of the book that I found pretty fun too. I could see my cat-lover child-self absolutely loving this book. The words are simple enough for any kid under 9 years old to read or learn.
If you're a cat lover with a young child or just a cat lover who loves cat illustrations, this is definitely for you 😻
My favourite paragraph has to be, "And when you sit still beside him, he doesn't think at all. He just feels. Like the world is soft, and time is kind, and love is something for him." 🥹🥹🥹
There are some cat facts towards the end of the book that I found pretty fun too. I could see my cat-lover child-self absolutely loving this book. The words are simple enough for any kid under 9 years old to read or learn.
If you're a cat lover with a young child or just a cat lover who loves cat illustrations, this is definitely for you 😻
June 14, 2025
My thanks to Chantilly Cat Press for a review copy of this book via NetGalley
A beautiful picture book with a great aesthetic and palette which I liked very much and also which captures a sentiment perhaps appreciated even more by older readers (though one valuable and relevant for children too in the current times)—that of sitting in silence and stillness and appreciating what’s around one and what one has—nature, the people who love us, and just the comfort and warmth we have at any given moment.
In the book we get a look at what George the Cat might be thinking or feeling when he sits still: the beauty of the quiet and of silence, something that can bring about happiness of its own kind. He might pick up on his human’s musing on the flowers or he might contemplate the wind, or he might even nap, comfortable and secure in the love that surrounds him. He watches a moth at different times of the day or simply enjoys the softness and warmth of the bed. He imagines the purr of the stars and the smell of warm milk or sometimes he simply sits beside his human, each conscious of the other’s love.
The palette, largely beige/cream (George is a ginger tom) with other colours in muted shades gives the same gentle, comforting vibe as the book and its sentiment (of love, of safety, of care) as we move from everyday moments to the world of imagination and dreams, between day and night and times in between.
This book is simple but subtly puts across its message, one I hope the intended readership picks up on too: that one needs to be still and in silence at times, simply noticing the small everyday things around us, whether the flowers or the ticking of the clock. Likewise, escaping into the world of dreams and the imagination has its own rewards, too, bringing about happiness of another kind. Amidst all the noise, bombardments and overloads of information, and brightness and distractions of the world today, this is an invaluable message for all of us: to spare a few moments for silence and enjoy the treasures it offers, and those unveiled by just being with your thoughts.
A beautiful book and sentiment which fills one with a great deal of warmth.
p.s. The author also shares with us the real George’s favourite things, among them Cat TV (the window) and the boxes!
p.p.s. A lot of reviews have suggested that the art here is AI, which may be, but I still thought it was very cute, with a great palette and incorporates a wonderful sentiment.
A beautiful picture book with a great aesthetic and palette which I liked very much and also which captures a sentiment perhaps appreciated even more by older readers (though one valuable and relevant for children too in the current times)—that of sitting in silence and stillness and appreciating what’s around one and what one has—nature, the people who love us, and just the comfort and warmth we have at any given moment.
In the book we get a look at what George the Cat might be thinking or feeling when he sits still: the beauty of the quiet and of silence, something that can bring about happiness of its own kind. He might pick up on his human’s musing on the flowers or he might contemplate the wind, or he might even nap, comfortable and secure in the love that surrounds him. He watches a moth at different times of the day or simply enjoys the softness and warmth of the bed. He imagines the purr of the stars and the smell of warm milk or sometimes he simply sits beside his human, each conscious of the other’s love.
The palette, largely beige/cream (George is a ginger tom) with other colours in muted shades gives the same gentle, comforting vibe as the book and its sentiment (of love, of safety, of care) as we move from everyday moments to the world of imagination and dreams, between day and night and times in between.
This book is simple but subtly puts across its message, one I hope the intended readership picks up on too: that one needs to be still and in silence at times, simply noticing the small everyday things around us, whether the flowers or the ticking of the clock. Likewise, escaping into the world of dreams and the imagination has its own rewards, too, bringing about happiness of another kind. Amidst all the noise, bombardments and overloads of information, and brightness and distractions of the world today, this is an invaluable message for all of us: to spare a few moments for silence and enjoy the treasures it offers, and those unveiled by just being with your thoughts.
A beautiful book and sentiment which fills one with a great deal of warmth.
p.s. The author also shares with us the real George’s favourite things, among them Cat TV (the window) and the boxes!
p.p.s. A lot of reviews have suggested that the art here is AI, which may be, but I still thought it was very cute, with a great palette and incorporates a wonderful sentiment.
June 11, 2025
0/5 stars
This is pitched as an illustrated picture book that follows a cat's thoughts and routine. That would be a very good idea and concept for cute and wholesome illustrations if it weren't for the fact that this is blatantly made by AI. I'm surprised there wasn't any prompt that slipped in the """editing""" process.
There can be found: oddly shaped feet, inconsistencies (cat is inside a box but at the same time its tail is peeking outside of it), paws that disappear, changes in the point of view in which it's narrated, and most important of all, no consistency in the drawing style of George; he keeps changing breed and even color throughout it.
AI art can't be tolerated.
Thanks to NetGalley and Chantilly Cat Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is pitched as an illustrated picture book that follows a cat's thoughts and routine. That would be a very good idea and concept for cute and wholesome illustrations if it weren't for the fact that this is blatantly made by AI. I'm surprised there wasn't any prompt that slipped in the """editing""" process.
There can be found: oddly shaped feet, inconsistencies (cat is inside a box but at the same time its tail is peeking outside of it), paws that disappear, changes in the point of view in which it's narrated, and most important of all, no consistency in the drawing style of George; he keeps changing breed and even color throughout it.
AI art can't be tolerated.
Thanks to NetGalley and Chantilly Cat Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2025
Thank you to Chantilly Cat Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A beautifully illustrated book about George the cat and his musings.
As a cat lover I smiled so much, recognising the universal language of cats that the author has conveyed so brilliantly through words and art.
You can tell this was written with love, and it was a gorgeous way to start my morning.
Highly recommend if you love cats!
A beautifully illustrated book about George the cat and his musings.
As a cat lover I smiled so much, recognising the universal language of cats that the author has conveyed so brilliantly through words and art.
You can tell this was written with love, and it was a gorgeous way to start my morning.
Highly recommend if you love cats!
June 10, 2025
i originally requested this book on netgalley because i like cats, and the premise of it seemed nice.
as i was reading the book i noticed some discrepancies. the art style of moths changed 3 different times in three pages and i had an inkling it was ai generated. but i thought maybe i was overthinking it.
while i continued reading more of the images were just very clearly ai generated and were not illustrated by the author. some of the wording of the sentences didn’t quite make sense and i was confused. it felt almost soulless like there wasn’t actually someone writing it.
as i was reading the book i noticed some discrepancies. the art style of moths changed 3 different times in three pages and i had an inkling it was ai generated. but i thought maybe i was overthinking it.
while i continued reading more of the images were just very clearly ai generated and were not illustrated by the author. some of the wording of the sentences didn’t quite make sense and i was confused. it felt almost soulless like there wasn’t actually someone writing it.
June 7, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
I liked the art a lot but I didn’t buy all the poetry. Idk if I buy that love is “the quietest thought of all,� for example
I liked the art a lot but I didn’t buy all the poetry. Idk if I buy that love is “the quietest thought of all,� for example
May 25, 2025
George is a cat, and like most cats, he observes, and he shows love in a way that is unique to cats. This book is a gentle, almost poetic reminder that if you've got a cat on your side, you don't have to feel unloved or unseen.
The illustrations are really the star of this book. Its in the vein of gentle affirmations but with animal charm. The colors and style of the artwork are peaceful and give me joy, and the words are a sweet reminder that even when things are stressful, there are always moments of warmth to be found. I think the book was a little longer than it needed to be. It got redundant after a while. But if you read it in more than one sitting (rather than straight through like I did), you could find new things to enjoy in each page. This book would be a lovely addition to an affirming daily routine for children or adults.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
The illustrations are really the star of this book. Its in the vein of gentle affirmations but with animal charm. The colors and style of the artwork are peaceful and give me joy, and the words are a sweet reminder that even when things are stressful, there are always moments of warmth to be found. I think the book was a little longer than it needed to be. It got redundant after a while. But if you read it in more than one sitting (rather than straight through like I did), you could find new things to enjoy in each page. This book would be a lovely addition to an affirming daily routine for children or adults.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 11, 2025
This book is magic!
"What George thinks when he sits still" captures the essence of life and love. It's so soothing and relaxing. The author has described her cat's habit of finding peace and the sense of stillness that completely changed her perspective. Her cat, George teaches her the power of stillness and finding the moments of joy and happiness in every moment of life. Whether it's the perfect sunlight or a cosy blanket with just the right amount of warmth and comfort, it's all about your perspective.
George lets us discover the happiness in the smallest of things, living the magical dreams and being grateful for the safety, comfort, love and affection. George also highlights the importance of creativity and imagination, they are the key ingredients to make your life beautifully magical and mesmerizing.
I would highly recommend this book to all and for cat enthusiasts you will be delighted to find George as your friend within pages. I think this book has something for everyone.
"What George thinks when he sits still" captures the essence of life and love. It's so soothing and relaxing. The author has described her cat's habit of finding peace and the sense of stillness that completely changed her perspective. Her cat, George teaches her the power of stillness and finding the moments of joy and happiness in every moment of life. Whether it's the perfect sunlight or a cosy blanket with just the right amount of warmth and comfort, it's all about your perspective.
George lets us discover the happiness in the smallest of things, living the magical dreams and being grateful for the safety, comfort, love and affection. George also highlights the importance of creativity and imagination, they are the key ingredients to make your life beautifully magical and mesmerizing.
I would highly recommend this book to all and for cat enthusiasts you will be delighted to find George as your friend within pages. I think this book has something for everyone.
June 12, 2025
Read on NetGalley [Read Now]
3.75/5
Cute book! The charm and whimsy is in the illustrations most of all, but it has a nice message too about the importance of stillness and living in the moment.
I’ve only recently come around to cats (being a bird person my whole life I had something against them since one tried to jump at my budgie in his cage while at the vet when I was a kid 😅 also until recently they were my top allergy after dust 🥲) so this was unique for me to get a sense of what cats might be all about.
I think I’d probably have liked it even more if I was a total cat person because I would’ve been around cats more often and relate to seeing them sit in their stillness. Still, I like the message about living in the moment and it also says a lot - in just a few pages - about dealing with big emotions and anxiety too in how the cat behaves.
I do think it was a little repetitive and might worked well enough as a short picture book but the illustrations were so adorable that I didn’t even mind.
3.75/5
Cute book! The charm and whimsy is in the illustrations most of all, but it has a nice message too about the importance of stillness and living in the moment.
I’ve only recently come around to cats (being a bird person my whole life I had something against them since one tried to jump at my budgie in his cage while at the vet when I was a kid 😅 also until recently they were my top allergy after dust 🥲) so this was unique for me to get a sense of what cats might be all about.
I think I’d probably have liked it even more if I was a total cat person because I would’ve been around cats more often and relate to seeing them sit in their stillness. Still, I like the message about living in the moment and it also says a lot - in just a few pages - about dealing with big emotions and anxiety too in how the cat behaves.
I do think it was a little repetitive and might worked well enough as a short picture book but the illustrations were so adorable that I didn’t even mind.
June 12, 2025
This was adorable!
George is such a good boy and the insight into cat's brain that he offered was very wholesome and cute. The illustrations are very nice and the writing's a bit poetic at times which went really good with the whimsical drawings, especially while George was fantasizing about living in his cardboard castle.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review �
George is such a good boy and the insight into cat's brain that he offered was very wholesome and cute. The illustrations are very nice and the writing's a bit poetic at times which went really good with the whimsical drawings, especially while George was fantasizing about living in his cardboard castle.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review �
June 10, 2025
This is a really cute book! It has lovely illustrations and a real feel good factor while reading. Making the point of just take notice of 'now', stop and listen, appreciate what is around you and just feel. A good message to take note of. Love is a powerful emotion and one to appreciate. A slow blink from a cat is always a nice feeling, means they love you, are protected and feel safe.
June 10, 2025
I read this arc from netgalley and something about it just felt off. The cat, George, looks different from page to page. Sometimes his ear is on his back instead of his head. On the page with the ice cream cone, he's got an extra arm. The idea is cute but both the writing and art are soulless and most likely AI which is very disappointing.
June 11, 2025
This was such an adorable book. Lovely illustrations. I was smiling all throughout reading the book. You can feel George's love for Carol and Carol's love for George.
June 12, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read What George Thinks When He Sits Still for free!
EDIT: Okay, so I am going to say that this is using AI "art" because I found on the Netgalley page for the book, and it uses AI in the freaking video. I am actually really disgusted and livid. Anyways, onto the review!
This sure as hell was something else, I'll tell you that.
So, I do recognise that this book is for kids in pre-school, so obviously, a lot of the short writing and almost whimsy to it is going to be different to an almost 30-year-old person compared to a 3-year-old. But I do believe that just because it's a kids book doesn't mean that they don't deserve better.
Firstly, I don't want to accuse the book of being AI, as it's a terrible accusation to make of an artist. However, I've had my (albeit fanfiction but still) stolen recently by AI, and it sucks. So if this author DIDN'T use AI, then where the bloody hell was an editing team before this went out to publish?
As others have noted, there's missing heads in beds, the cat missing its tail. Sometimes I noticed the cat's tail would be somewhere else on the page, or when it was inside the box, its tail WRAPPED AROUND THE BOX. So either, this cat has an impressively long tail, his owner cut a hole in the box just for the tail, or... it was AI. There's also inconsistencies with the colouring of the cat, his head and tail would be a light colour, whereas the body is a dark colour. Or sometimes the cat's eyes would only be black dots, to then be coloured blue then back to the black dots, then to a colour similar to its fur.
Not only that, but the pronouns of George and the POV changes. So that does make me wonder if even the writing is AI too? Or it just didn't get any final edits either. One moment it'll be in third-person, then in first-person. Sometimes George is a he, sometimes George is a she.
Then towards the end you have this wall of text about how cats might not be able to say I love you, or even seem like they actually like you, but they do. And that's great, I have two cats (I've had one before my current ones), and while I'll always be a dog lover, my cats make me so happy. But it just feels so odd to have text that is pretty simple and easy-ish enough to have kids follow along, with breaks for pages of art, to then have a wall of text with no breaks to explain the science of cats.
I'm really disappointed about this book. It looked cute, but to see that the author didn't seem to care, along with the publishers, is disappointing. On top of that, who is Caroline Bell? There's no Instagram account, or Twitter, or whatever IF you wanted to find more about her. I get that sometimes authors will have pen names, but wouldn't there be some sort of social media even with the pen name? This is all just too fishy that even a cat wouldn't eat.
EDIT: Okay, so I am going to say that this is using AI "art" because I found on the Netgalley page for the book, and it uses AI in the freaking video. I am actually really disgusted and livid. Anyways, onto the review!
This sure as hell was something else, I'll tell you that.
So, I do recognise that this book is for kids in pre-school, so obviously, a lot of the short writing and almost whimsy to it is going to be different to an almost 30-year-old person compared to a 3-year-old. But I do believe that just because it's a kids book doesn't mean that they don't deserve better.
Firstly, I don't want to accuse the book of being AI, as it's a terrible accusation to make of an artist. However, I've had my (albeit fanfiction but still) stolen recently by AI, and it sucks. So if this author DIDN'T use AI, then where the bloody hell was an editing team before this went out to publish?
As others have noted, there's missing heads in beds, the cat missing its tail. Sometimes I noticed the cat's tail would be somewhere else on the page, or when it was inside the box, its tail WRAPPED AROUND THE BOX. So either, this cat has an impressively long tail, his owner cut a hole in the box just for the tail, or... it was AI. There's also inconsistencies with the colouring of the cat, his head and tail would be a light colour, whereas the body is a dark colour. Or sometimes the cat's eyes would only be black dots, to then be coloured blue then back to the black dots, then to a colour similar to its fur.
Not only that, but the pronouns of George and the POV changes. So that does make me wonder if even the writing is AI too? Or it just didn't get any final edits either. One moment it'll be in third-person, then in first-person. Sometimes George is a he, sometimes George is a she.
Then towards the end you have this wall of text about how cats might not be able to say I love you, or even seem like they actually like you, but they do. And that's great, I have two cats (I've had one before my current ones), and while I'll always be a dog lover, my cats make me so happy. But it just feels so odd to have text that is pretty simple and easy-ish enough to have kids follow along, with breaks for pages of art, to then have a wall of text with no breaks to explain the science of cats.
I'm really disappointed about this book. It looked cute, but to see that the author didn't seem to care, along with the publishers, is disappointing. On top of that, who is Caroline Bell? There's no Instagram account, or Twitter, or whatever IF you wanted to find more about her. I get that sometimes authors will have pen names, but wouldn't there be some sort of social media even with the pen name? This is all just too fishy that even a cat wouldn't eat.
June 10, 2025
Initially, the cover and the premise made me think this would be an extremely cute book for young children. It is simple art throughout the book, so despite its 100-page length, a lot of it is just pages of George and various objects. The general thought/reasoning of the book (teaching kids to be still and in the moment) is a great idea, and telling it through a cat's perspective is cute, but that is sadly where a lot of my positives end.
There is a general inconsistency throughout the book that leads me to believe there was no editing at all. Many of the drawings of George change from page to page, and some drawings are strange. I would not accuse it of being AI art, but some instances make me feel like aspects could be (person missing a head, moth constantly changing shape, George's ear on his back, missing tails occasionally, etc). The art is cute, but it needs some tweaking before final print to be more consistent.
The story itself is simple, but does still delivers the message, but again, there seems to be a lack of editing. On the first page, it describes George as "he" then switches to "her" then it switches back to "he". Also, halfway through the book, it switches from third person to first person, so it was confusing. It might be helpful for the author to pick a perspective and stick with it. There are also some instances where things get repetitive, one example comes to mind is the "toes moving around".
Overall, I think the story has potential, but it needs A LOT of editing to help with the flow of the message/story as well as the image inconsistency. I feel like I can not give it a higher rating due to so many technical errors, but again, I love the idea of it.
Thank you Netgalley and Chantilly Cat Press, for giving me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
There is a general inconsistency throughout the book that leads me to believe there was no editing at all. Many of the drawings of George change from page to page, and some drawings are strange. I would not accuse it of being AI art, but some instances make me feel like aspects could be (person missing a head, moth constantly changing shape, George's ear on his back, missing tails occasionally, etc). The art is cute, but it needs some tweaking before final print to be more consistent.
The story itself is simple, but does still delivers the message, but again, there seems to be a lack of editing. On the first page, it describes George as "he" then switches to "her" then it switches back to "he". Also, halfway through the book, it switches from third person to first person, so it was confusing. It might be helpful for the author to pick a perspective and stick with it. There are also some instances where things get repetitive, one example comes to mind is the "toes moving around".
Overall, I think the story has potential, but it needs A LOT of editing to help with the flow of the message/story as well as the image inconsistency. I feel like I can not give it a higher rating due to so many technical errors, but again, I love the idea of it.
Thank you Netgalley and Chantilly Cat Press, for giving me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 27, 2025
A lovely, fluffy cat named George savors the quiet moments in life. Napping in his favorite sunbeam, watching the birds, or sitting on Carol’s lap are all his favorites. But a very quiet kitty has some very big thoughts! Join George and Carol as they show you just how wonderful a quiet moment can be.
“What George Thinks when he Sits Still: A Quiet Story About a Thoughtful Cat and the Beauty of Being Still� by Caroline Bell is like a warm hug for the wounded soul. George is the best cat ever, gently teaching us all about mindfulness and finding joy in the present moment as he goes about his day. I love that the author really understands cats. They have so much to say without ever uttering a word, and George shares his feline insights as the story unfolds. A little like a journal and a bit like the best picture book from your childhood, George’s gentle adventure is filled with lovely art and the freedom to embrace quiet times. Above all, the message of warmth, safety, and unconditional love shine softly like the light of the full moon, giving readers the spiritual hug we all need so very much in this busy, chaotic world.
A perfectly lovely tale of a cat and his favorite human, this blissful tale earns five out of five stars for its gentle yet powerful message of love and friendship. Suitable for all ages and readers, this book is a great choice for all who love cats. Whether you are a young reader striking out on your own, or a seasoned adventurer who’s seen a thing or two, this story of pure, simple delight is sure to warm your heart.
I received a free review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“What George Thinks when he Sits Still: A Quiet Story About a Thoughtful Cat and the Beauty of Being Still� by Caroline Bell is like a warm hug for the wounded soul. George is the best cat ever, gently teaching us all about mindfulness and finding joy in the present moment as he goes about his day. I love that the author really understands cats. They have so much to say without ever uttering a word, and George shares his feline insights as the story unfolds. A little like a journal and a bit like the best picture book from your childhood, George’s gentle adventure is filled with lovely art and the freedom to embrace quiet times. Above all, the message of warmth, safety, and unconditional love shine softly like the light of the full moon, giving readers the spiritual hug we all need so very much in this busy, chaotic world.
A perfectly lovely tale of a cat and his favorite human, this blissful tale earns five out of five stars for its gentle yet powerful message of love and friendship. Suitable for all ages and readers, this book is a great choice for all who love cats. Whether you are a young reader striking out on your own, or a seasoned adventurer who’s seen a thing or two, this story of pure, simple delight is sure to warm your heart.
I received a free review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 14, 2025
What George Thinks When He Sits Still focuses on George the cat in the quiet moments of his life. In theory, this would have been a great book for me, but unfortunately it did not live up to my hopes for it. As I was reading through it, there was just something off that I wasn't entirely certain of. The text was all different sizes and the formatting was weird, especially the cat notes at the very end. Sometimes there were a number of pages in a row that were just illustrations, which would be cute if they weren't repeating images. Then I looked at some other reviews of the book and I was finally able to put my finger on what was going wrong: AI. Looking closer at the images it became apparent that the illustrations were made with AI. George does not have a consistent design throughout the book, sometimes he has three ears, his tail will be short and then long and then coming out of a plant or box instead of his body, and other times the illustrations were super repetitive in a way that just did not make sense. I don't condone the use of AI to illustrate books, so I cannot recommend this one and I don't think anyone should buy it.
I received a review copy from NetGalley and Chantilly Cat Press.
I received a review copy from NetGalley and Chantilly Cat Press.
June 7, 2025
George is a cat who loves to sit still and think. This book utilize calming artwork and colors to illustrate George, and what he as a cat loves and appreciates. It teaches the concept that it's good to sit still, be calm and think sometimes. It also teaches a lot of information about cats and why they act the way they do, as well as some things that cats might enjoy. This would be the perfect book for younger children, as the artwork is very cute and would appeal to them, and the concepts are simple yet important and informative in a way that the younger age group can understand.
The only thing I would say is that it's a little bit long for a children's book (100 pages) and it's trying to teach 2 concepts at once - how to sit still, and to learn about cats. I think it would have been better if the author/illustrator broke this up into 2 books, one teaching the importance of stilling still and pondering, the other teaching about cats, and each book would then be the right length for a young child to sit through.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The only thing I would say is that it's a little bit long for a children's book (100 pages) and it's trying to teach 2 concepts at once - how to sit still, and to learn about cats. I think it would have been better if the author/illustrator broke this up into 2 books, one teaching the importance of stilling still and pondering, the other teaching about cats, and each book would then be the right length for a young child to sit through.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2025
Publishing date: 28.05.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Chantilly Cat Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
I am heavily mixed on this book.
First of all, while it was sweet and wholesome, it was very very rambly and repetitive. No plot, just vibes, but not the kind I enjoy.
Second, I suspect the art is AI. The cat changes in appearance every single page. Sometimes fluffy, sometimes short hair, sometimes an ash blonde color, other times orange. I get that different lighting and environments do change the look of a color, but not this much, and not in these environments. Also there are tails popping in and out of seemingly closed boxes, paws disappearing in the background, and feet bending backwards for the cat. I just get a really bad feeling about the art.
Third, if I were to recommend this book to someone I would not know who to recommend it to. Cat lovers might like it, but dint it lacks substance for the price, children might enjoy the art, but find other books more entertaining. Just a hard book to actually recommend.
Giving this two stars, and if the art isn't AI I might bump it up a little. But it is overall not really a book for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chantilly Cat Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
I am heavily mixed on this book.
First of all, while it was sweet and wholesome, it was very very rambly and repetitive. No plot, just vibes, but not the kind I enjoy.
Second, I suspect the art is AI. The cat changes in appearance every single page. Sometimes fluffy, sometimes short hair, sometimes an ash blonde color, other times orange. I get that different lighting and environments do change the look of a color, but not this much, and not in these environments. Also there are tails popping in and out of seemingly closed boxes, paws disappearing in the background, and feet bending backwards for the cat. I just get a really bad feeling about the art.
Third, if I were to recommend this book to someone I would not know who to recommend it to. Cat lovers might like it, but dint it lacks substance for the price, children might enjoy the art, but find other books more entertaining. Just a hard book to actually recommend.
Giving this two stars, and if the art isn't AI I might bump it up a little. But it is overall not really a book for me.
June 7, 2025
What George Thinks When He Sits Still is a gentle, contemplative picture book that celebrates the quiet joy of simply being. Told through the eyes of a thoughtful cat named George, this story invites readers to slow down and find comfort in stillness, sunbeams, and soft moments of love.
While the illustrations are sweet and the tone soothing, the storytelling leans more vignette than narrative, with some repetition and a slightly disjointed flow. Still, it’s a heartfelt concept that could resonate with young readers seeking calm and cozy reflection—especially cat lovers. With a bit more structure, this has the potential to become a truly memorable read.
Thank you Caroline Bell and Chantilly Cat Press for the eARC.
While the illustrations are sweet and the tone soothing, the storytelling leans more vignette than narrative, with some repetition and a slightly disjointed flow. Still, it’s a heartfelt concept that could resonate with young readers seeking calm and cozy reflection—especially cat lovers. With a bit more structure, this has the potential to become a truly memorable read.
Thank you Caroline Bell and Chantilly Cat Press for the eARC.
June 12, 2025
When I first read this I was going to give it 5 stars. It's a love letter to cats and I love cats so it's obvious right?
I then looked at other reviews which suggested the illustrations were AI. I'll be honest, I didn't notice anything strange about the illustrations at first. So I read it again and unfortunately I also believe these illustrations are AI. There is no evidence anywhere online that Bell illustrated this book and no illustrator is listed for this book. There are a few discrepancies with the drawings and to date there doesn't seem to have been any response from Bell regarding the AI allegations. NetGalley has links to promotional content which include an Instagram page that appears to have been deleted, and a TikTok/Youtube account with an AI-generated video of cats (which has not been tagged as AI but very obviously is).
I don't believe AI should be used in creative content. More than happy to update this review if evidence is given regarding the illustrations.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
I then looked at other reviews which suggested the illustrations were AI. I'll be honest, I didn't notice anything strange about the illustrations at first. So I read it again and unfortunately I also believe these illustrations are AI. There is no evidence anywhere online that Bell illustrated this book and no illustrator is listed for this book. There are a few discrepancies with the drawings and to date there doesn't seem to have been any response from Bell regarding the AI allegations. NetGalley has links to promotional content which include an Instagram page that appears to have been deleted, and a TikTok/Youtube account with an AI-generated video of cats (which has not been tagged as AI but very obviously is).
I don't believe AI should be used in creative content. More than happy to update this review if evidence is given regarding the illustrations.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
June 14, 2025
Hi, I’m Nilima—a cat mom who reads and tries to practice stillness. I just finished reading this book during my work break. It’s short and you can read it in no time. oh, how sweet and adorable this book is! What I loved the most about the book is the theme of it. Stillness—something I really want to embody.
George, the little ginger cat in this book sits still and thinks. Sometimes, he does nothing. And stillness makes life easier for him. He learns, he enjoys, he loves, he slow blinks at his human and he simply is. And honestly, like George, and like all the other cats, we humans also need to pause, take a deep breath, sit still, be quiet, wonder a little, or just do nothing. A moment of stillness? Something we need to have on daily basis.
That’s what George teaches us. And my cats teach me the same, every single day.
Now let me talk about the illustrations. Very charming. From start to finish, this book made me smile and warmed my heart. Loveyougeorge.
It's 3.5/5 stars!
George, the little ginger cat in this book sits still and thinks. Sometimes, he does nothing. And stillness makes life easier for him. He learns, he enjoys, he loves, he slow blinks at his human and he simply is. And honestly, like George, and like all the other cats, we humans also need to pause, take a deep breath, sit still, be quiet, wonder a little, or just do nothing. A moment of stillness? Something we need to have on daily basis.
That’s what George teaches us. And my cats teach me the same, every single day.
Now let me talk about the illustrations. Very charming. From start to finish, this book made me smile and warmed my heart. Loveyougeorge.
It's 3.5/5 stars!
June 13, 2025
What George Thinks When He Sits Still, written and illustrated by Caroline Bell, is a lovely, lyrical storybook in which a cat named George shows the readers the importance of slowing down and living in the moment.
Bell skillfully tells a thoughtful tale that is needed in the racing world of today; a tale of peace, love, imagination, and appreciation of the people and things around you as you experience them. The illustrations beautifully support the story, and books feature in many of them as a gentle reminder of the magic found within pages. The list at the end of 'My Favorite (sic) Things to Think About' is a wonderful way to get readers - adults and children alike - to reflect on what they have read and on things, people, and pets that they love thinking about.
I'm happy to have received an ARC of the beautiful book #WhatGeorgeThinksWhenHeSitsStill from #NetGalley.
Bell skillfully tells a thoughtful tale that is needed in the racing world of today; a tale of peace, love, imagination, and appreciation of the people and things around you as you experience them. The illustrations beautifully support the story, and books feature in many of them as a gentle reminder of the magic found within pages. The list at the end of 'My Favorite (sic) Things to Think About' is a wonderful way to get readers - adults and children alike - to reflect on what they have read and on things, people, and pets that they love thinking about.
I'm happy to have received an ARC of the beautiful book #WhatGeorgeThinksWhenHeSitsStill from #NetGalley.
June 12, 2025
I love you. I’m here. I’m yours.
We could all benefit from having a George in our life.
I didn’t expect this book to move me so deeply, but there were moments that made me, like George, want to sit quietly and just feel. While the structure felt a bit disjointed and repetitive at times, overall it’s a lovely little read with sweet, tender illustrations. I love George and would happily let him sleep atop my feet.
I mean� GEORGE.
Thank you to NetGalley, Chantilly Cat Press, and Caroline Bell for the privilege of receiving this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
We could all benefit from having a George in our life.
I didn’t expect this book to move me so deeply, but there were moments that made me, like George, want to sit quietly and just feel. While the structure felt a bit disjointed and repetitive at times, overall it’s a lovely little read with sweet, tender illustrations. I love George and would happily let him sleep atop my feet.
I mean� GEORGE.
Thank you to NetGalley, Chantilly Cat Press, and Caroline Bell for the privilege of receiving this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 8, 2025
What George thinks when he sits still is such an adorable book! The hidden meaning of sitting still when life is too stressful is a great one. Sometimes we just need to take a breather to rest ourselves.
The art in this book is some of the cutest art I have ever seen. My favorite pages were George licking an ice cream cone, George staring at the moth, George with a chef hat on and all of the clouds and sail boats. My absolute favorite had to be the one of George in the catnip garden with the dragon. I see a lot of my own cat on George during certain points in the book. This was such a cute read! Thank you to Netgalley, Chantilly Cat Press, and Caroline Bell for an ARC of this book. This is my own honest review.
The art in this book is some of the cutest art I have ever seen. My favorite pages were George licking an ice cream cone, George staring at the moth, George with a chef hat on and all of the clouds and sail boats. My absolute favorite had to be the one of George in the catnip garden with the dragon. I see a lot of my own cat on George during certain points in the book. This was such a cute read! Thank you to Netgalley, Chantilly Cat Press, and Caroline Bell for an ARC of this book. This is my own honest review.
June 12, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Chantilly Cat Press for ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was very disappointing.
At first I thought this was the most adorable thing ever, but then things started feeling weird. The illustrations of George changed style from one page to the next, the three front paws, a leaf the same color as the cat's fur, the cat's fur color being all over the place, disembodied feet in the bed, tails where they should not be, and that's to name a few.
The text started off ok, but it felt weird and disjointed.
The author is credited as illustrator as well and when going to look them up, nothing.
I am aware that an artist can have multiple styles, but I own zines by over 10 artist that are more cohesive than this book.
This was very disappointing.
At first I thought this was the most adorable thing ever, but then things started feeling weird. The illustrations of George changed style from one page to the next, the three front paws, a leaf the same color as the cat's fur, the cat's fur color being all over the place, disembodied feet in the bed, tails where they should not be, and that's to name a few.
The text started off ok, but it felt weird and disjointed.
The author is credited as illustrator as well and when going to look them up, nothing.
I am aware that an artist can have multiple styles, but I own zines by over 10 artist that are more cohesive than this book.
June 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC to me.
Rating: 2 stars
This book was a super cute quick read. Nothing about this was very groundbreaking information, but the idea of this book had the potential to be something sweet.
I liked the message of being able to appreciate things in your life even when they don't seem like a big deal, and to appreciate the moments that might be overlooked. As a cat owner, this was something cute to read and think about these moments that I have with my cat.
One thing in this book I didn't like as much was the repetitiveness. The image of the cats and the color scheme (while cute) lacked a cohesive appearance, with the cat changing throughout the book despite being illustrations of the 'same' cat.
Rating: 2 stars
This book was a super cute quick read. Nothing about this was very groundbreaking information, but the idea of this book had the potential to be something sweet.
I liked the message of being able to appreciate things in your life even when they don't seem like a big deal, and to appreciate the moments that might be overlooked. As a cat owner, this was something cute to read and think about these moments that I have with my cat.
One thing in this book I didn't like as much was the repetitiveness. The image of the cats and the color scheme (while cute) lacked a cohesive appearance, with the cat changing throughout the book despite being illustrations of the 'same' cat.
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