When I first opened They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel, I was struck by how simple yet profound the concept was. The story revolves around a cat walking through the world, but what makes it unique is how different animals perceive the cat. This book took me back to those childhood moments of boundless imagination, reminding me of how varied and wondrous the world seemed depending on my own perspective.
What stands out most is how this book explores the idea of perception, which feels more relevant to me as an adult. Without having kids of my own, the beauty of They All Saw a Cat is that it isn’t just for children—it’s for anyone who’s ever wondered about the way we see the world versus how others do. I remember sitting down with this book, completely captivated by how each illustration was a new revelation of how the cat might appear to a mouse, a bee, or a dog. Each perspective was unique, sometimes abstract, sometimes more literal, but every time, it made me pause to think about how we often see the same thing so differently based on our experiences and feelings.
Brendan Wenzel’s artwork is vibrant and engaging, full of color and life. The illustrations feel almost tactile, as if you could reach into the page and touch the world he’s created. One of my favorite parts of the book is seeing how the cat changes from creature to creature’s point of view—the mouse sees something huge and terrifying, while the fish sees the cat as a blurry, distorted figure underwater. It’s fascinating, and as I flipped through the pages, I felt like a child again, being taught a lesson in empathy and understanding in the most delightful way possible.
This book also sparked so much curiosity in me, the kind that makes you want to revisit the story just to pick up on new details and nuances. I often found myself thinking about how They All Saw a Cat applies to life outside of the book—how our backgrounds, biases, and experiences shape the way we see not just animals, but people, situations, and even ourselves. It’s a rare book that can evoke that level of introspection, while still being a beautiful, engaging read.
What I also loved about They All Saw a Cat is how it doesn’t offer a “right” perspective. There’s no correct or final view of the cat. Instead, it invites readers to accept that all the perspectives are valid in their own way, which is such a valuable lesson, whether you’re a child or an adult. The book left me feeling both nostalgic for my younger days and more mindful about the way I see and interpret the world around me.
If you’re someone who loves books that challenge the way you think about simple things, They All Saw a Cat will be a treasured addition to your shelf. It’s not just a children’s book—it’s a reminder that perspective is everything. Even now, every time I spot the cat walking through its world, I think about all the other unseen worlds around me, waiting to be discovered.
Questions to ask while reading:
- Which depiction of the cat do you find the most lifelike and why?
- Are you a cat person? How might your perspective on cats differ from someone who isn’t fond of them?
- How do you think our self-perception compares to how others perceive us? Which do you believe holds more significance?
They All Saw a Cat on Amazon