Ladybug Nominee

Cat Problems by Jory John and Lane Smith (Random House Studio, 2021)

What could a pampered house cat possibly have to complain about?

Just like most cats, this cat lives an extremely comfortable life. But he has his problems too!

The sun spot he's trying to bathe in won't stop moving. He keeps getting served dry food instead of wet. And don't even get him started on the vacuum--it's an absolute menace!--and the nosy neighbor squirrel that just can't seem to mind its own business. Will this cat ever find the silver lining?

About Jory John

 Jory John has written many award winning books for kids. He lives in Oregon with a cat named William. His website is http://www.joryjohn.com/

About Lane Smith

Lane Smith lives in Connecticut and illustrates children's books. True Grit by Charles Portis is one of his favorite books.  Smith's book, Princess Hyacinth (the Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated) with Florence Parry Heide, was the winner of the 2010 Ladybug Award. His website is at https://www.lanesmithbooks.com/

Activities & Links

•  Check out the trailer for this book at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14_yyJAGR7M
  
• Read an interview with the creators at https://www.bookweb.org/news/jory-john-and-lane-smith-julyaugust-kids-indie-next-list-top-pick-cat-problems-1626035
•  Learn more about Lane Smith and "The Art of the Picture Book" at https://www.artofthepicturebook.com/-check-in-with/2018/6/26/an-interview-with-lane-smith
• Read an interview with Jory John at https://www.averyandaugustine.com/blog/2018/10/14/giraffe-problems-interview-with-jory-john
• Learn more about house cats at https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/cat/352924
• Catster has 20 fun cat facts to share with kids at https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-facts-fun-kids-adults and Cats.com has a list of 15 fun facts (with pictures) at https://cats.com/facts-about-cats-for-kids
  

Suggestions for Further Reading

• If you want to read another book by John Jory and Lane Smith consider Giraffe Problems or Penguin Problems
• Watch videos of Jory John reading some of his other books at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPsyN5XIBSzXwgZNrXepnqg
• Check out the other 2023 Ladybug Longlist titles about cats at https://nhbookcenter.blogspot.com/2023/01/ladybug-longlist-cats.html. 
• If you still want more books about cats check out the 2022 Ladybug Longlist titles about cats (and dogs) at https://nhbookcenter.blogspot.com/2022/02/ladybug-longlist-cats-and-dogs.html
  
• If you want to read about a New Hampshire cat consider Cat in the Clouds by Eric Pinder.
  

This is one of ten titles nominated for the 2023 Ladybug Picture Book Award.

We will be posting information about a different nominee each Friday throughout the summer and will issue a pdf voters guide featuring all ten titles at Labor Day.