Lerner, Jarrett. Nat the Cat Takes a Bath. Jarrett Lerner, Illus. Ready-to-Read, Pre-level 1. Simon, 05/2023. [32]pp. Reader. Trade $17.99. 978-1-6659-1894-7. Paper $4.99. 978-1-6659-1893-0. GRADES Preschool–1. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
In this easy reader intended for those just beginning to read on their own, a cat is afraid to take a bath, and asks for bubbles, toys, and a towel. Nat’s friend Pat the rat loves baths and encourages Nat to jump in the tub. Although this doesn’t have a controlled vocabulary, the use of words with short vowels and just a brief sentence or two per spread will give emergent readers confidence to read without much adult assistance. The close-up cartoon illustrations on white backgrounds focus on Nat and Pat and not much else, in a format similar to the “Elephant and Piggie” books by Mo Willems, even including some dialogue balloons. A must-have for all libraries that serve four- and five-year-olds just learning to read.
Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool