This is not a cat!
David LaRochelle
This is not a cat!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David LaRochelle
Illustrated by Wohnoutka, Mike, illustrator
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The mouse teacher stands before her class, pointing at a shadowy figure. "This is not a cat!" she declares, but the mice aren't so sure. Suddenly, a whisker twitches nearby—what’s really lurking in the classroom?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early-reader fiction book introduces young children to the concept of danger perception through a clever story about a mouse teacher educating her students on identifying cats. Suitable for ages 5-8, it uses simple text and engaging illustrations to explore themes of deception in a lighthearted way. The book is appropriate for early readers and contains no content that would be distressing for this age group.
Why we rated This is not a cat! 7C
This is not a cat! is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This is not a cat! works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate This is not a cat! as 7C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, This is not a cat! explores danger perception, deception, juvenile fiction, cats, and mice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about danger perception, deception, juvenile fiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781454915744
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Union Square Kids
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction