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Katie the Catsitter

#1 of 4 in Katie the Catsitter Series

illustrations by
4.19
on Goodreads (4,592)

What’s inside...

A new middle-grade graphic novel series follows Katie, who is dreading the boring summer ahead while her best friends are away at camp. To earn money for camp, Katie gets a job catsitting for her mysterious upstairs neighbor, Madeline, who has 217 unusual cats. As Katie navigates the chaos of wrangling cats, she begins to suspect Madeline might be a super villain tied to the city's crimes. Alongside managing the cats, Katie also strives to save her friendship with Beth and uncover the city's biggest story. With capes swapped for cats, Katie steps into the role of a hero in this tale of friendship and adventure. NOMINATED FOR MULTIPLE STATE AWARDS!
In series
Series reading

Non-Sequential

Age

8-11

Length

206 pages

Text complexity

Character compass

Katie
Katie'S Mother
Ms. Lang

Discussion points

What are some qualities that make Katie a good friend? Can you think of an example from the book?
How does Katie handle challenges in the story? What could you learn from her?
What do you think about Katie's decision-making? Give an example of a good or bad decision she made.
If you were in Katie's place, how would you handle the responsibility of taking care of so many cats?
What are your thoughts about the relationships between humans and animals as portrayed in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare their own experiences with Katie’s adventures to draw personal connections.
Discuss the consequences of Katie's decisions to help your child understand cause and effect.
Ask your child how they might feel in Katie's situations, fostering empathy and perspective-taking.
Highlight moments where Katie shows growth or learns something new; discuss how we can all learn from our experiences.
Use the diverse personalities of the cats to explore discussions about different traits and how they make each character unique.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Katie takes on the job of catsitting, which teaches her how to manage responsibilities and care for others.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of fulfilling duties and taking care of pets or other tasks assigned to them in their daily routines.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Katie encounters various challenges while catsitting that require creative problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think critically and creatively when faced with obstacles, fostering independence and confidence.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Katie learns to understand and empathize with the cats' unique needs and personalities.
Real-World Application: Helps children appreciate the feelings and perspectives of others, enhancing their social skills and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: The story illustrates the significance of friendship and cooperation as Katie works with others to handle her responsibilities.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of building and maintaining positive relationships, and working collaboratively in team settings.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: Katie adapts to unexpected situations while catsitting, learning to be flexible and resilient.
Real-World Application: Instills the ability in children to adjust to changes and cope with unforeseen challenges in their lives.

Katie the Catsitter by Colleen A.F. Venable, Braden Lamb