That Cat Can’t Stay

by Thad Krasnesky

Illustrated by David Parkins

Published by Flashlight Press, paper backedition June 2025

Can a cat-hater love cats?

ISBN 978-1962269278

Pages:32 Ages: 6+ Themes: Family Pets Humor Cats

Skills: Reading, Listening Level: young learners

Copy of the book kindly provided via Flashlight Press. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

Description:

Image from That Cat Can't Stay - Flashlight Press

Mom loves cats and always finds one -or two or three or more!- in need. So she takes them home...But dad hates cats!

For dad, cats mean one thing: problems! They scratch his knees, they carry fleas, they make him sneeze, they’re always getting stuck in trees, and they eat his cheese. Mom promises they would stay for a short time, but never happens. One day, Dad finally surprises everyone!

What I liked about the book:

Image from That Cat Can't Stay - Flashlight Press

That Cat Can't Stay is a charming, funny, entertaining story that every child, and adult, will love! The rhyming tone and repetitive refrain makes the story a great read-aloud which children will enjoy from the beginning. With every cat that comes home, Dad's objections become funnier and one can imagine the rising tone of his complains. The illustrations are amazing! I liked the cartoon style and dad's expressions above all! Even cats show their feelings! The end papers may reflect dad's sofa, his favourite place in the house -and the cats' too- I found every opening funnier than the previous one, adding suspense to what dad's reaction could be. The story reminded me of my adolescence when my sisters and me used to take stray cats home with the promise that we'd find them a home soon. My dad, who loved cats, accepted two or three until he joked with 'it's the cats or you'. Of course nothing happened -but we stopped bringing cats!-

Ideas and activities:

Image from That Cat Can't Stay - Flashlight Press

Although the vocabulary may be rather difficult for young learners who are learning the language, the illustrations make it easier. The rhyming funny tone can help children learn new words and phrases.

The story is ideal for

• reading aloud session

• repetition of language chunks ( encourages participation in the story)

• learning facts about cats (see pdf attached)

• learning vocabulary: parts of the cat, types of cats (see pdf attached)

• learning/review Can/ Can't Like/Dislike

• practising numbers (very young learners) (see pdf attached)

• talking about feelings towards pets

• developing empathy for abandoned animals

That cat can’t stay PD 2025.pdf

Download PDF • 7.38MB

I hope you enjoy the story with your class or your kids at home!

Happy Reading for Pleasure!

About

The author: Thad Krasnesky is the author of I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way, That Cat Can’t Stay, and Pterodactyl Show and Tell. Thad is a writer of children’s stories trapped in the body of an Army major. He served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was an instructor at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. He enjoys volunteering with children and running marathons, and lives in Lansing, Kansas, with his wife and two daughters.

The Illustrator: David Parkins is the illustrator of I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way and That Cat Can’t Stay, written by Thad Krasnesky. David has been an illustrator since he left art college in 1978. He spent several years at the beginning of his career producing textbook illustrations for educational publishers.

You can find out more about David and his work on his website.