How to Be a Cat

Can a tiny kitten do everything a big cat can? Not quite yet―but it’s ready to try.

In this simple, beautifully paced picture book, celebrated papercut artist Nikki McClure follows a curious kitten as it spends a day mimicking an older, wiser cat.

With just one clear action verb per page, very young children watch the pair navigate the rhythms of a perfect feline day: from a wide morning stretch and an intense clean to a playful pounce and a cozy sleep.

McClure creates her striking illustrations using a fascinating process, hand-carving every single image out of a single sheet of black paper with an X-Acto knife. The bold, graphic shapes are set against crisp white pages and accented with soft sweeps of sky blue―a high-contrast design that is naturally perfect for catching the eyes of babies and toddlers.

With its minimal text and gentle focus on learning by example, this book is an easy favorite for lap-reading, toddler storytimes, and anyone who loves the quiet, sweet relationship between a patient teacher and an eager student.

Nikki McClure is an internationally acclaimed, self-taught cut-paper artist, author, and illustrator. McClure is known for bold images that reflect a sense of place, community, and seasonal rhythms.

She has authored and illustrated sixteen children’s books and illustrated eight others, receiving national recognition, including New York Times honors and a Washington State Book Award. Her work has been exhibited in museums and bookstores across the U.S. Through her books and artwork, McClure crafts a vivid and tender connection between young readers and the natural world of their home.