My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes

My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes is a 1974 children's picture book by New Zealand authors Eve Sutton and Lynley Dodd. The story was inspired by the Dodd family cat, Wooskit, who had a fondness for finding hiding spots. The book follows a simple pattern, introducing cats from different countries and contrasting their activities with the narrator's own pet. The illustrations by Lynley Dodd complement the text with clear, engaging artwork. This award-winning book remains a classic of children's literature, celebrating the universal appeal of cats and their distinct personalities. The repetitive structure and playful comparisons make it an accessible read for young children learning to engage with stories.

Parents and children have positive memories of this rhyming picture book from their own childhoods and enjoy sharing it with new generations. Many reviewers mention the book's strong read-aloud appeal, with several noting their children requested it multiple times per day. Readers highlighted: - Simple, memorable rhyming pattern - Cats' distinct personalities and activities - Illustrations that make children laugh - Easy for young kids to memorize and recite along - Cultural glimpses of different countries Common criticisms: - Some dated cultural stereotypes - Limited plot beyond the repeating pattern - Basic illustrations compared to modern picture books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.19/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,300+ ratings) "This book has stood the test of time," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "My 2-year-old asks for it every night and can recite most pages." A Goodreads reviewer noted: "The repetitive structure makes it perfect for emerging readers to join in."

Have You Seen My Cat? by Eric Carle A boy searches through cities and towns for his lost cat, meeting different cat breeds along the journey.

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Joffe Numeroff A cat's request for a cupcake leads to a chain of events through a series of cause-and-effect situations.

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin Pete walks down the street in white shoes that change colors as he steps in different items.

What the Cat Knows by Barbara Joosse A cat moves through its daily routine of observing household activities from various hiding spots.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss A cat creates chaos in a house on a rainy day through mischief and games with two children.

🐱 The character of Wooskit, Lynley Dodd's real cat who inspired the book, went on to influence her creation of another famous literary feline - Slinky Malinki. 🎨 Illustrator Lynley Dodd went on to become one of New Zealand's most celebrated children's book creators, famous for her Hairy Maclary series. 📚 The book's simple rhyming pattern ("The cat from France liked to sing and dance...but MY cat likes to hide in boxes") has made it a popular choice for early reading education. 🌏 Through the various cats' adventures, the book introduces children to eight different countries: France, Spain, Brazil, Greece, Japan, Norway, Arabia, and New Zealand. 📖 The book has remained continuously in print since 1974, making it one of New Zealand's longest-running children's books.