What if I’m Not a Cat

A funny new, comic-esque picture book from the hilarious Kari-Lynn Winters and illustrated by Kelly Collier, What If I’m Not a Cat explores one donkey’s existential crisis.

In a barn, Donkey and a bunch of cats happily coexist. Donkey is a cat because Farmer has said so. Donkey sometimes felt a little off and wasn’t as good as some of the other cats at things like eating cat food and catching mice. One day, Donkey asks, “What if I’m not a cat?” With the help of his barn cat friends and an encounter with a nasty fox, Donkey realizes who he is.

This book provides all of the chuckles! I love Kari-Lynn Winters clever text combined with Kelly Collier’s brilliant illustrations. The two combined will leave readers rolling on the floor laughing. When the other cats come to Donkey’s aid and try to help him figure out who he is, one starts questioning his own cat-ness. It’s a clever story with a wonderful message of being yourself and finding a way to determine who you are on your own terms. A message to not let others try and define who you are.

Kelly Collier’s illustrations are so funny! The fantastic facial expressions on all of the animals. The two page spreads combined with smaller vignettes makes this book one that will be requested time and time again. It was the first book both The Bear and The Bee wanted to read from our book box and it has spent a lot of time floating between their bedrooms for a lovely night time read.