Drat That Cat!
Cambridge reading Series
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
Cambridge Reading is a major reading scheme which provides stimulating books and support materials for the teaching of reading and the development of literacy throughout the primary years.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
26 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the cat behaved the way it did in the story?
What would you do if you had a mischievous pet like the cat?
How did the characters in the book react to the cat’s antics, and what does that tell us about them?
Can you think of a time when you were misunderstood like the cat?
What would you change in the story’s ending and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the book, ask your child what they know about cats or pets in general. This can set the stage for relating to the story’s themes.
As you read, pause at sections where the cat is causing trouble and ask your child to predict what might happen next.
Use different voices for each character to make the reading session more dynamic and engaging.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene. This can help them reflect more deeply on the story’s events and characters.
Discuss the moral of the story and relate it to real-life situations, enhancing your child’s ability to apply lessons from the book to their world.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Drat That Cat!', the main character learns the importance of taking care of their belongings and pets. This is demonstrated when the cat causes chaos due to lack of supervision and care.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being more responsible for their toys, pets, and personal chores, understanding that their actions directly affect those around them.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story illustrates that actions, whether good or bad, have consequences. The cat's mischievous behavior leads to various troubles, highlighting this concept.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to think about the outcomes of their actions before acting, fostering decision-making skills that consider the well-being of others.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As the characters in the book deal with the cat’s troublesome antics, they also learn to understand and empathize with its needs and behavior.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to empathize with the feelings and situations of others, whether it’s their peers or pets, enhancing their emotional intelligence and social skills.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The book presents various situations where the characters must find solutions to problems caused by the cat. This helps demonstrate effective problem-solving strategies.
Real-World Application: In real life, children will encounter challenges and can refer back to the problem-solving skills observed in the book to navigate their own obstacles more effectively.
Example Lesson: Importance of Honesty
Explanation: Throughout the book, the importance of being honest about mistakes, as shown by the cat’s eventual admission, teaches a valuable moral lesson.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to practice honesty in their daily interactions and admit to mistakes, fostering a sense of integrity and building trust with others.