CATapult!: A Story of Movement and Position

Math-loving kittens plan a kitty-pop concert—which is sure to involve multiple surprises and a few CATastrophes—in this playful picture book that demonstrates the key math concepts of movement and position.

Nine chaotic kittens can’t wait to perform their kitty-pop concert for their neighbors. But while building the stage, one kitten—who is dangling above the dancers shimmying right and left below—falls and CATapults a dancer on top of the costume designer. That is only the beginning of the mayhem. . . . Should these kitties cancel their concert? No! They know that if they put their paws and heads together, they can perform as one. On with the show! 

Author Ann Marie Stephens draws upon more than 30 years of teaching experience to ensure that readers absorb math while having fun in the adventure-filled CATastrophe Tale series. And Jenn Harney’s energetic illustrations hilariously capture the antics of these enthusiastic kittens.

Each book in the CATastrophe Tale series includes helpful back matter, which shows readers that, just like the kittens, they use mathematical skills in their everyday lives. Additional titles in the series include CATastrophe!: A Story of Patterns, CATawampus!: A Story of Shapes, sCATtered!: A Story of Estimation and CATerwaul: A Story of Sorting.

Ann Marie Stephens is the author of the Arithmechicks series as well as a contributing writer for Kwame Alexander’s The Write Thing. She was an elementary school teacher for more than 30 years.

Jenn Harney is an illustrator and toy designer. She is the illustrator of Probably a Narwhal, “Smelly” Kelly and His Super Senses: How James Kelly’s Nose Saved the New York City Subway, and George Washington’s Spectacular Spectacles, among others. Her work has also been featured in Highlights for Children magazine. You can find her on Instagram at @jennharknee.