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Wanda Gag
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Millions of Cats (Paperstar) Paperback – Picture Book, January 1, 1996

by Wanda Gag (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,462 ratings
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Wanda G?g's enchanting tale of the very old man who went off in search of the prettiest cat in the world for his wife and returned instead with millions to choose from has become an American classic, widely recognized as the first modern picture book. First published in 1928, it was a recipient of the 1929 Newbery Honor Book Award and has gone on to sell over a million copies. With its charming illustrations and rhythmic, sing-song refrain, Millions of Cats remains as beloved today as it was when it first appeared three-quarters of a century ago.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    2 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 2
  5. Lexile measure
    580L
  6. Dimensions
    7 x 0.25 x 9 inches
  7. Publisher
    Puffin
  8. Publication date
    January 1, 1996
  9. ISBN-10
    0698113632
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0698113633
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wanda G‡g (1893-1946) was born in New Ulm, Minnesota, the daughter of an artist and the eldest of seven children. In recognition of her rare artistry, she was the posthumous recipient of the 1958 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Millions of Cats and the 1977 Kerlan Award for the body of her work.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Cats here, cats there,
Cats and kittens everywhere,
Hundreds of cats,
Thousands of cats,
Millions and billions and trillions of cats . . .

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin (January 1, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0698113632
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0698113633
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 6 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 580L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 2
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.25 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,462 ratings

About the author

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Wanda Gag

Wanda Gag

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Best known for her Newbery Honor winner Millions of Cats, Wanda Gág (1893-1946) was a pioneer in children's book writing, integrating text and illustration. Born in New Ulm, Minnesota, she rose to international acclaim. In recognition of her artistry, she was posthumously awarded the 1958 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Millions of Cats and the 1977 Kerlan Award for her body of work.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
1,462 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

BookAce
5.0 out of 5 stars SO CHARMING and CUUTE!!!
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2023
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I love this book!! Like the front cover illustration, it marches, wiggles runs and keeps going in verbal perpetual motion. It is a joy to read - Adults and kids alike - aloud, especially. Beautiful illustrations- -simple but with inherent motion -- the dialogue is extremely cute. I approve of it. Millions of cats would have approved of this as well.
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C. OBryan
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional.
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2008
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This book is not for all people, as noted by some reviews. In this case, since it is a children's book, it is all a gamble. For some children, they will look upon it either fondly, horrified or simply confused. It is later will their views either change or stay the same.
My personal experience was fondness. Looking back on it now, I am still fond of it. Some children will simply find it interesting. I was one of those. I liked cats and I loved the little cat at the end. As an adult, I see its morals quite clearly. I also am fine with it. It all depends on a person's response to morbidity. If one comes to like things like Edward Gorey, Roman Dirge or Tim Burton... The bat of an eye seems less plausible. This book is as safe as the original takes on fairy tales - you know, before Disney.

Anyway, for parents who are leery, there is a lesson to learn in this story.

Moral: Vanity can lead to one's downfall. Be humble and practical and good things (hopefully) will come in reward.

As noted, there were some issues with how things were done. The following will have spoilers.

Vanity is displayed through most of the book. It led to the downfall of both the old man and the millions of billions of cats. The old man mainly cared for a good looking cat. One always looked better than the other to him. He needed to keep what the true goal was in mind. He should have only looked for what cat could serve the purpose he and his wife were looking for. In the end, he took all and in turn took on a task beyond his control.
The cats were more or less fine until near the end. The wife, upon seeing the many cats, reminds the old man of the true purpose of his quest. They thus can only keep one. In turn, all the cats that were wrong for the couple in the beginning brought upon their own downfall for being too proud. They only cared for their own gain in the matter. They were superficial and in the end none were left to gain the "prize".
The moral shines through in the end though when the couple does find the right cat for them.

Perhaps one will find that too psychological for a child to grasp, but as noted, for a child to understand... well, you either have to go into great explanation or hope your child applies the same understanding of most original fairy tales to this book - they simply find it amusing and don't ask questions.

If they do, just give them the story at its value.

"If I am pretty, will I be eaten up?"
No. The kitten in the end ended up being very pretty and he was never eaten up. What it is saying is, if you are beautiful on the outside, be beautiful on the inside as well. The cat in the end displayed that.

"What if I say I am the prettiest to someone?"
That would be rude. It can hurt feelings. Like in the book, the little kitten did not say a word. It thought it was no better than anyone. The other cats became angry with each other because none of them wanted to feel less important than another, when in truth they were all equal.

"Why did they eat each other?"
They let their hatred eat at themselves and in turn destroyed each other through that. (It is pretty difficult to go into metaphors of greed and vanity consuming a person being displayed in blatant eating an opponent physically.)

The list can go on.

There is also another faint moral. Treat others kindly and good things can happen for you and that person. The kitten was small, scrawny and unloved. The old man likely never would have given it a second thought, as the cat believed. With it being the only one left and after they witnessed the terribleness of the physically beautiful cats, they decided to take care of it. By being given kindness and love, the kitten grew to be a fine cat and both it and the couple were happy. Again, vanity plays in. Look beyond the book cover, and all.

Therefore, this story could be pretty much ANYTHING to a child. In the end, you must be the judge.
30 people found this helpful
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4goodmusic
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful classic!
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2023
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This is a children's classic I have loved as a children's librarian. It is timeless and in a subtle way can be used in a story time at cat rescueif they ever have any such thing. It is a good example of loving and wanting every cat out there and what happens if cats are not spayed and neutered. A good cautionary tale but also just a plain, good story for young children. You'll have them reciting the rhyming sentences almost immediately after or during first reading! I bought a copy for myself and I'm 76!! I love re-reading it!
4 people found this helpful
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Grace1
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun book
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024
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Always a sweet story for cat lovers and others.
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kelly wiebold
5.0 out of 5 stars nice gift to lover of cats
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
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daughter in-law likes it
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J. Goldberger
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic is a classic is a classic...
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2010
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I have read this book to children for the past 30 years, early on as a preschool teacher and later as an adult who loves children and who lives with one or two cats at a time. It has become a common story of choice for many visiting young children and early readers. The lovely repetition of "Cats here, cats there, Cats and kittens everywhere; Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats" entices many if not most if not just about all young visitors.
Most recently I had the pleasure of giving a copy to a veterinarian who I love who has helped 3 cats live very long lives with me, and who just brought me a new kitten with a stubbly tail who hadn't yet been chosen at age 4 or 5 months. I made a comment that by now the vet must have cared for "hundreds of cats... (etc)" and that I thought he had just brought me the loveliest one of all. I was surprised that he didn't know the story. He is a grandfather! He seemed to love the gift of this book as well.

I noted some reviewers found the fighting among the cats to be too violent. While there is indeed violence, I believe that it is so overshadowed by the classic theme of wanting to be loved that the violence itself is far less important. If it is too much for a child to handle, the child will turn away from it and not request for it to be read again. Children in good-enough homes know how to protect themselves from topics that are too harsh.

Furthermore, as for the violence of the cats fighting with each other, and then one winning as the most beautiful kitten of all -- is that not close to the sibling story/wish throughout the ages? I think many children want to be the most loved, the most beautiful, and the one chosen. I would wonder if that theme has truth in proportion to the number of siblings in the household (or children in the classroom)...? I have never thought of it as outright violent, and perhaps it is, but I think those feelings are among the ones that children struggle to master. There can be some relief in it happening safely in print, while children are simultaneously being socialized in just how wrong violent or uncontrolled behavior can be.
Most importantly, with many good choices of books available, children in my life have turned to "Millions of Cats" and requested it over and over again. That speaks volumes.
Without hesitation I recommend this book for young children who like cats, who are seeking to be loved (and who isn't?), who live with or visit adults who live with cats, or who just plain love good rhyme and rhythm in language.
12 people found this helpful
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Jo G
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Illustrations
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2023
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This is a lovely story about being lonely and getting a pet and finding happiness. I liked the book and loved the illustrations.
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Philip Toups
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books ever
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2023
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My nieces love this book. They ask me to read Millions of Cats every time I visit. Good bedtime story!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Karyn Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars thank you!
Reviewed in Canada on February 27, 2023
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Very excited to share these with my niece and nephew! Thank you.
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Claudine Young
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Illustrations
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2024
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A beautifully illustrated new version of a Public Domain work.
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Recomendo
Reviewed in Brazil on March 24, 2021
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Recomendo entrega no prazo e bem alinhada.
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GG
5.0 out of 5 stars You know how older fairy tales have that intriguing strangeness?
Reviewed in Sweden on April 6, 2023
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This is a really weird story. The story is strange. The illustration is bizarre. Hard to believe it was written in the 1930s and not the 1960s. But it speaks to you, both to children and adults. Incomparable!
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alok saini
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a beautiful, thoughtful book for little ones
Reviewed in India on January 11, 2021
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Beautiful illustrations
Heartwarming story
Read it for free on my Kindle unlimited account but will order a print book as well
Thanks, Katha
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