On this page
Shh, this cat is at a good part. Our cat reading a book coloring page shows a tabby sitting in a big armchair the way a person would, with an open book held in both front paws. Round glasses sit on its nose, its back feet stick out over the seat, and its striped tail hangs over one arm of the chair.
Behind the chair runs a long shelf packed with books. A floor lamp stands on one side. Down on the floor you can spot two more books and a warm mug with a heart on it. Kids from about 5 to 10 will enjoy this page, and it takes 30 to 40 minutes to finish.
Is it easy or hard?
We rate it medium. The cat and the chair are big and simple. The shelf is where it gets busy, with lots of narrow books and thin bands. If your child is on the young side, color the chair first so the page feels nearly done, then treat the books as a bonus.
The glasses can look tricky. They are only two circles and a bridge. Color the frames last, using a dark pencil, and keep the eyes inside clear.
Cat reading a book coloring page colors
A red chair feels warm, and it makes an orange cat jump off the page. If you want a calm look, try a teal chair with a yellow lamp shade. The two round buttons at the top and the circles on the arms are a good place for gold.
Now for the book. The cover is split into two sides, with a star on the left and a fish on the right. Ask what story it could be. A book about stars and fish sounds like a sea adventure, so blue or green fits nicely.
The shelf is a great chance to use up every color in the box. Real books come in all shades, so nothing can go wrong. Here is a simple way to keep it tidy: pick four colors and repeat them in the same order along the row. Patterns like this are good thinking practice for younger kids.
Keep the wall pale so the room stays cozy. Light purple, soft yellow or plain white all work, and the thin lines on the wall can stay as they are.
Could a cat really read at night?
Not the book, but a cat would have no trouble seeing the room. Cats have excellent night vision and can see at about one sixth of the light that people need. That is why a cat can walk through a dark house while you stub your toe. Their whiskers help as well, since they give a cat clues about how wide a gap is and where things are in the dark.
Kids can test the idea at home. Turn off the lamp in a room and see how much you can still make out. Then talk about what a cat might notice that we miss.
Ways to use this page with readers
- Book report helper: Print it and have students write the book they just read on the spine or the cover. Hang them all up as a reading wall.
- Reading chart: Number the books on the shelf and color one in each time your child finishes a story. It is a simple reward chart with no stickers needed.
- Read aloud time: Keep a copy next to you while you read to your kids. Listening goes better when small hands have something to do.
- Name the cat: Ask your child to give this bookish cat a name and a favorite title. Professor Whiskers tends to come up a lot.
Young writers can also finish this sentence under the picture: "The best part of my book was when..." It is a low pressure way to talk about a story.
Find your next page
School fans can keep going with the crayons coloring page. For one more clever kitty, print the cat with a crown coloring page.
Questions
Is this good for a school library or reading week?
Yes. It suits a reading corner or a book fair table, and kids can write the title of a favorite book on the cover.
Which part takes the longest?
The row of books on the shelf. Each one has its own bands, so it can take as long as the cat. Kids can color every second book if time is short.
Can my child draw on the book cover?
Please do. The cover has a star and a fish, but a child can add a title, a name or a new picture beside them.
