Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Meow Is Not a Cat by Kelly Tills

MEOW IS NOT A CAT by Kelly Tills
ILLUSTRATOR: Max Saladrigas
GENRE: Children’s Picture Book
PUBLISHER: FDI Publishing
RELEASE DATE: April 11, 2022
PAGES: 43

Meow is definitely not a cat. Cats lick their butts.

Meow Is Not A Cat is a flight of folly starring a cynical cat, wild monkeys, butt jokes, a banana cannon, and a unique kid named Meow. Follow along as this wild child’s unique way of following instructions ends up going completely bananas.

This is a completely goofy story, guaranteed to make kids laugh. With a fast pace and endless cast of characters, even pre-readers will love shouting out their favorite parts as you read aloud. Nestled among the laughs is a lesson about how embracing a person’s different way of interpreting the world can lead to surprisingly good results – and bananas, lots of bananas.

I’m always on the lookout for fun new books to read with my nephews, and I’ve found a lot of them lately. Today’s book, Meow Is Not a Cat, is another fabulous one to add to my picture book collection!

Meow – who is most definitely not a cat – is baffled by how all the other kids line up right and play right and sing right, but when she tries it all comes out different. (While Meow is never referred to as a specific gender in this story, I saw her as a girl so that’s how I will refer to her throughout this review.) She puts her own endearingly quirky spin on just about everything and does want to follow the rules but she defines that differently than her long-suffering teacher does. Though never specified, Meow is probably neurodivergent, and I love that other neurodivergent littles can find a friendly face on these pages, a character who maybe dresses like them & acts like them. But even if the children in your life aren’t neurodivergent like Meow, there is much to giggle about and smile at in this funny book.

Bottom Line: Move over, Ramona Quimby! Move over, Alexander! Meow is on the scene… and Meow is not a cat. I loved this cute & quirky story about a cute & quirky character and how her different take on life saves a bad situation. The humor is a mix of hilarious and wry (thanks to the cat, who is my favorite character lol), and the message is affirming and sweet. Expect lots of giggles from your littles when you read Meow Is Not a Cat by Kelly Tills with them!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from The Children’s Book Review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 5 stars / loved it!

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Kelly Tills is the creator of her own uniquely shaped family. Kindness, neurodiversity, and potty humor are her jam. She writes silly stories for kids and believes even the smallest hat-tip, in the simplest of books, can teach our kids how to approach the world. Kelly’s children’s stories are perfect to read aloud to your little humans or to have your older kids read to you (hey, let them flex those new reading skills!). Either way, you’ll enjoy the giggles.

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Meow Is Not a Cat: Book Giveaway

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What about you? What makes you want to read Meow Is Not a Cat by Kelly Tills with a little one in your life?