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Millions of cats

Wanda Gág

First published 1928 · 42 pages

A rhythmic, slightly surreal folktale that balances the cozy desire for a pet with the chaotic consequences of having too much of a good thing.

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What it feels like

Reading this classic picture book feels like stepping into a timeless, slightly surreal folktale. The experience is defined by its irresistible, sing-song cadence—a rhythmic repetition that practically demands to be read aloud and easily lodges itself in the memory. It begins with a quiet, cozy longing for companionship before spiraling into a whimsical, chaotic abundance that is both funny and just a little bit dark. The stark, flowing black-and-white illustrations wrap the reader in a nostalgic, dreamlike atmosphere. Ultimately, the story settles back into a warm, comforting space, rewarding humility over vanity. It is a perfect delight for young listeners who love a good chant, and for adults who appreciate the quirky, unsentimental charm of early twentieth-century storytelling.

Mood
  • cozy
  • whimsical
  • surreal
  • nostalgic
Tone
  • folksy
  • rhythmic
  • wry
  • gentle
Pace
brisk
Themes
vanity versus humility · longing for companionship · the chaos of abundance · finding beauty in the ordinary
The writing
Rhythmic and repetitive with a sing-song cadence that begs to be read aloud.
The arc
Moves from quiet loneliness to overwhelming, chaotic abundance, resolving into a cozy, contented appreciation for the simple and unassuming.
Who it's for
Young children who love animals and rhythmic read-alouds, as well as adults who appreciate classic, slightly quirky folklore.
Content notes
  • implied off-page cartoon violence

About the book

Millions of Cats is a wonderful tale of vanity versus humility, written and illustrated by the singular Wanda Gag. An old man and his wife decide to get a cat, so the old man goes out in search of the prettiest cat of all. When he is forced to choose from "hundreds, thousands, millions and billions and trillions" of cats, he (naturally) brings them all home. When the wife points out their inability to support the legion of felines, it is left to the cats to decide who among them is the prettiest. Anyone who has ever owned more than a single cat can tell you what happens next.

Gag's simple, appealing black ink drawings are perfect for the story, somehow capturing at least the idea of millions of cats in a single page. Repeated lines and the sing-song title refrain make this a read-aloud natural.(Ages 4 to 8) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

"This Newbery Honor winner is distinguished by innovative design and a strong storyteller's cadence." (School Library Journal's "One Hundred Books that Shaped the Century")

Description from Open Library.

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