Thank you to NetGalley, FDI Publishing, and the author and illustrator for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

This book was cute and I can see how it would get many laughs from children. As an adult, I felt like it was a bit confusing. In the beginning, I felt like it was going to be a book about thinking and interpreting ideas differently and would focus on how being neurodivergent is an assent and okay. Then the story took a weird turn and turned into a visit to the zoo and monkeys stealing bananas and then the teacher was magically okay with everything even though Meow (the MC) started all of the antics. It just wasn't quite what I had expected.

A really cute read and definitely one that I know the kids in my life will love, Meow is super sweet and the miscommunication in instructions is adorable

Meow Is Not a Cat is a story about a girl named Meow that marches to the beat of her own drummer. We also get to see the reactions to her behavior of a cute little cat with a dry wit. With a vivid imagination and a desire to be true to herself, Meow has moments that require her teacher to have more patience....and that's a challenge. But seeing things in a different way can sometimes save the day. The action in the illustrations was appealing, and I think that children will enjoy finding parallels between themselves and Meow. Cute overall!

My 5 year old son and I love Meow Is Not a Cat. My little boy loves it as it makes him laugh and he loves the antics with the monkeys. I love it as it has an important message that everyone is different and children need to learn they do not need to conform, they just need to be themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

This was adorable! I read and reviewed an older edition a few months ago and enjoyed the story while also finding it to be confusing, but this updated version has definitely changed the story for the better in my opinion! I like that the conflict with the monkeys has to do with Meow’s different way of understanding things. Their ways of finding a solution by taking certain phrases literally worked well with the illustrations and storytelling. I think children would find Meow’s way of narrating to be very entertaining and fun and it could be a great way to discuss how different kids interpret things in different ways.

3.5 Stars

Umm… okay! As the title says, Meow is not a cat but a kid. He’s active, energetic, and a wee bit different. He likes to ask questions and wonder why we should stay quiet when the sign says walk left or why the monkeys get all the bananas while the kids end up with none. Naturally, his antics get him into trouble. But he manages to save the day by coming up with a unique idea.
The illustrations are cute and funny. The book is lighthearted and entertaining. Just that I’m not sure what it teaches the kids. Of course, it does show that asking questions and thinking differently from others is not wrong. Guess that is the moral of the book. Though, maybe kids should also be taught about being careful as they could end up hurting themselves and others.
Oh, wait! The book talks of sharing. That could also be the lesson. I prefer my interpretation, though.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, FDI Publishing, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#MeowIsNotaCat #NetGalley

We loved this book. It is actually very funny and teaches at the same time the importance of empathy, of sharing and who we are in our unicity. All this in a funny and positive way of teaching!

This rib-tickling picture book by author Kelly Tills, has at its epicentre a hyperactive kid named Meow and his cat that is not named Meow! A chirpy, mischievous and ever moving kid, Meow is a veritable headache to his teacher. Meow is also a very intelligent and "questioning" kid. For example he wonders why one ought to remain quiet when a sign says "keep left?" isn't it enough if I observes the instruction and stays left? The sign does not order one to either remain silent or stay in line.

A visit to the zoo with his teacher turns out to be a hilarious circus of sorts as Meow begins snatching bananas from the monkeys bolstered by a reasoning that the ill mannered monkeys do not have a sharing bent of mind. What could have turned out to be a disaster ends happily courtesy a quick thinking idea of Meow himself!

The book in a gentle and comical way is a lesson to parents and teachers to not lose patience with children who are hyperactive. Talent ought not to be compromised and snubbed away under the pretext and glare of judgement.

("MEOW is NOT A CAT" by Kelly Tills is published by FDI Publishing and will be available for sale beginning 12th April, 2022)

Pros: gender neutral look of the main character, who also presents as neuro-diverse.

Cons: the storyline really made no sense and I think the theme was lost in the goofy storytelling. I would have loved more time spent on the characters' neurodiversity and how that makes them see the world differently but that's okay. I think the book kind of gets there, but it could have been better.

Thank you, author and the publisher, for the advance reading copy.

I like the artwork and the art sequence. I feel like I would have a better experience reading the book with the younger audience if it was a storybook just about cats or information regarding cats. The story seems a bit confusing and the character looks like he's being discriminated. I wish the teacher had done something for him.

Well, it's such an adventurous read nevertheless.

I received an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. - Thank you NETGALLEY-

I loved the beginning of this book, as it was almost comic like and vivid. It had cute illustrations and enough uses of the word butt to keep kids giggly. I enjoyed that this story was gender neutral, and the focus of confidence.

However, I did not like the parts of the story in ways of not listening to adults, or acting out in ways that could be hazardous. I also sensed that Meow was acting superior to other kids verses the ones who played by the rules. I didn't find any lesson to be learned from the acts of behavior in the end.

I gave this book 3 stars

This is a cute children’s book that is about a young boy who does things a little different. If you want a cute story to read with your child this is a good choice

Fun book. Word smart book. The visuals are interesting. Humor that feels fun when you get it. Six year old read it by herself and enjoyed it.

Like other books of Kelly Tills, this is a children's book with a different approach.

Just because your child has their own idea of "getting in line" or "behaving well", it doesn't make them less of a good kid. And being resourceful, different and bold can often come handy. So let's try not to put everyone in the same box.
Cool illustrations by Max Saladrigas!

Many thanks to NetGalley, IBPA and FDI Publishing for an Advance Review Copy.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

I don't know how I feel about this book. The graphics were cute but the story was just not my cup of tea.

so cute I loved the art and the story!! those children stories remind me of my childhood and it couldn’t make me happier !!

I chose to read this book because of its title.

Meow is indeed not a cat. Meow is a child who did not listen direct order but remembered the lines very well. Meow mentioned the phrases couple of times. Splendid!

Talking about the story, everything was okay in the beginning. I got no problem reading how different Meow was but not with the ending. It was confusing. I need to read it couple of times but I just do not get it. I wonder what ithe "hidden gems". are

I like the illustration. I can easily picture how Meow was.

3/5 An okay kids book.

This book held my attention and would keep a kid entertained but the only real lesson of this is sharing is caring and then everyone will be happy, which is a meh lesson for a kid's books. For those of you who are older than 8, how many times can you remember reading/being told that as a kid? like a billion lol so I don't think it was a great choice to write about since it's everywhere but the author said they had fun writing it so I guess that's what matters :). I think the art and character design is adorable and it was a quick read so plus there and I bet quite a few kids would enjoy this.

Disclaimer: I read an arc copy of this on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Some children do things a little differently. Meow is one of those children. When an outing at the zoo goes awry, Meow must figure out a way to get everything back on track.

This story was silly and fun. The illustrations are bright and colorful. I think the cat was my favorite character and I loved the page where the cat said "Put me down." Classic cat.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. It was a goofy story that I enjoyed reading.