What George Thinks When He Sits Still opens with promise with a cute note from the author. However, within the first couple of pages it becomes clear that this book was written and illustrated using AI. The images are cut off in places, and the writing is inconsistant to the point of confusion. I am disappointed.

I was really enjoying this book—a cozy and relaxing read that teaches you to appreciate the little things in life in a world that’s always in a rush. However, I read a review that said the illustrations were made with AI, and as I kept reading, I realized there were indeed some odd things: on some pages the cat had three legs, on others five, sometimes an ear was flipped the wrong way... And yet, nowhere did it say that AI was used. Honestly, I think profiting from AI while claiming it was lovingly illustrated by a human is deceiving the reader.

A gentle, adorable micro-read that, while appealing to cat lovers with an absolutely cute cat to stare at, reminds us that the simplest moments of life can be treasured and can be sources of joy. Be like George: stay still, and you'll find there's so many little things to appreciate in life.

Thanks to Netgalley and Chantilly Cat Press for providing with the e-ARC/DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Copy received via Netgalley]

This is a very calm and quiet picture book centered around a cat's day to day life of looking at insects and birds, lying in rays of sunshine, and feeling loved.

I enjoyed the clean illustrative style of the author and the many pages without words where we're invited to just sit still with George and enjoy the illustrations. The structure felt a bit meandering and unequal, with some parts a bit heavier on text and some parts heavier on illustrations. I think I would have enjoyed a bit less text, as sometimes it was pulling me out of the meditative state the rest of the book.

I think the eBook version suffers a bit from not allowing us to see double pages next to each other, but that might be an unavoidable peril of the format. I might get a paper version so that I can share it with my niece once she's old enough.

I would have liked to learn more about the author or buy reproductions of her art to put in my reading journal but couldn't find anything sadly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for this honest review.

What George Thinks When He Sits Still by Caroline Bell is a short picture book that explores the thoughts of a coat who is content to appreciate the small comforts of life with his owner.The concept is sweet and cozy. The reminder to enjoy little moments and practice gratitude is certainly never out of place. The art is minimal, muted, and peaceful. However…

By all appearances, the art was at least partially AI generated. As several other people have pointed out, the art style changes slightly from page to page and there are a few…odd details. Regardless of how the illustrations were created, they lack cohesion and sometimes seem out of place. At times, the illustrations were highly repetitive, but not in a way that seemed purposeful. The text was similar. Very repetitive, sometimes nonsensical, and switching between first and third person with no apparent reason or pattern.

I don’t want to accuse someone of using AI lightly. But I cannot deny the impression that this content gave me. I think the concept was sweet, but the execution left much to be desired. For me, this was two stars out of five, and that is only because I don’t know for a fact that AI was used.

This might be a nice book for cat-lovers that just want something mindless and cozy to look at.

This adorable. It's cozy. It's wonderful. Something about this book is so heart touchingly peacful that it advertising made me tear up at one point.
There are many morals in this book about sitting still, appreciating the small things, and love. So much love.

The art is incedible. So cute and one of my favorite styles. The Story telling is heart felt and cozy. Plus we get a few scientific facts which was super cool.

This would be a fantastic coffee table book. It works also be wonderful to read with kids. Highly recommend to everyone. Especially to fans of Tea Dragon Society.

This is a charming, peaceful picture book about the quiet life of George the cat. It inspires the reader to embrace stillness. The prose is simple and quaint and the illustrations are completely charming

Thank you Netgalley and Caroline Bell for this copy.
This was a cute short read about a cat named George who reminds us of the joys we can find when we take the time to take them in.
The illustrations are gorgeous and you can tell lovingly done. The story speaks to anyone who has ever been loved by a cat and spent time just being with them.

Thank you to NetGalley & Caroline Bell for this ARC! I just adored the illustrations of George and all the cute short snip-it’s of a cats thoughts. Definitely a cute book to gift as a baby shower gift for a cat lover.

This was a cute short graphic novel. It reminded me of when I had cats and I used to just watch them! It also was a mix of poetry element to it. I enjoied all the cat image pages!

What George Thinks When He Sits Still is a delightful little picture book. It reminds me a lot of the little golden books with more modern art. The story focuses on the authors cat and her imagining of the different things he sees and thinks about throughout his day.

I think it is appealing because we all want to explore the inner minds of our animals. And this is a cute meditation on that. I would hope that my cats themselves has such happy inner lives as George seems to in this book.

If you are looking for something short and sweet to read to a small child at bedtime this is a perfect book for that. Especially if the child loves animals. Cute and wonderful art. Five stars.

Excellent little book full of charm and playful illustrations. Would be a perfect book for bedtime snuggles or when some times little ones feel overwhelmed.

I enjoyed the book as a cat owner it helped me see my small cat as just a lovely ball of fluff .

Really pretty drawings maybe even could be used as prints in the home or bedroom!

I really loved the relationship between carol and George, love was the constant connection.

I really don’t know how to feel about this one. On the one hand, it’s a sweet little graphic novel with a lovely meaning behind the story. The pictures are adorable and I loved seeing what George got up to. I’m a huge cat lover, and I could definitely pick the similarities between my cats and George. On the other hand, reading previous reviews I have suspicions about this having AI-generated content, as there were some inconsistencies and changes throughout that just didn’t add up. I’ve rated it 3 stars because I’m just not certain.

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for this lovely cozy story.

I really liked this!! Very cute art and a very cute story.

Cats do look like they are thinking about a lot sometimes, and other times they’re just staring out the window. I like the idea of thinking of what they are thinking, and even dreaming.

I’ve definitely seen cats that think they are fighters but then run away when you tickle or ruffle them. And some cats look quiet and calm and then pounce! Secret warriors cats.

This was very sweet and wholesome, so many good illustrations!!

This graphic novel is cute 😺, but I have to say — the illustrations must definitely be AI-generated 🤖, and there’s no mention of that anywhere, which was disappointing.

That aside, I really enjoyed George the cat 🐾. He represents mindfulness and appreciating the little things.

It even reminded me of a moment from childhood — play-fighting with my cousin and my kitten just jumped in like a tiny fighter 😂. Just like George, full of quiet surprises.

☀️💫It’s a surprisingly long read for a graphic novel 📖, but if you’re in the mood for something gentle and reflective, it’s worth the time.

A very cute book for cat lovers! The drawings are very beautiful and are shown throughout the book. If you've ever wondered what a cat is thinking, this whimsical book attempts to depict what things go through their mind. I loved the gentle reminder to take the time to sit still and just observe. In our every day lives, things can be hectic, and we tend to forget to just take time to breathe and appreciate things around us. Take the advice from George, just sit still and look around. I enjoyed this book! Thank you very much to Caroline Bell, Chantilly Cat Press, and Net Galley for the advanced e-copy!

This book was clearly made with AI, yet it isn't stated anywhere in the publishing details or in the book itself.

If "artists" incororate AI to their "work", readers have the right to know that in order to make an informed decision about whether theywant to consume such kindof "art."

This book was a very cute and sweet ode to cats and calm. The lines were thoughtful and poetic, and the pictures extremely charming. However, the prose and pictures are a bit repetitive, and the art style varies from picture to picture. That, along with some small, strange details in the illustrations, makes me think that at least the pictures (if not the text) are AI-generated. That being said, someone looking for something mindful, inviting, and cat-related might still enjoy this book.

Disappointing and Disingenuous

At first glance, a book filled with cats, little flowers, and positive affirmations sounds like it could be charming—even heartwarming. Unfortunately, this one falls far short of that promise. What could have been a sweet tribute ends up feeling hollow, poorly executed, and, above all, dishonest.

From the cover alone, I had my doubts. The art style and tone immediately raised red flags—it had the unmistakable look of AI-generated content. As I flipped through the pages, those suspicions were quickly confirmed. The cat’s appearance changes inconsistently from page to page: missing parts of its tail, oddly placed ears, and jarring perspective issues—like a human whose head isn’t even on the pillow. It’s clear this wasn't created with genuine care or artistic integrity.

Even more troubling is the lack of transparency. Nowhere in the book is there any acknowledgment of AI usage, despite it being blatantly obvious that the illustrations were generated rather than hand-drawn. The writing, too, feels mechanical—repetitive, flavorless, and ultimately forgettable.

The “About the Author” section only adds to the disconnect. The author discusses her writing but never mentions any involvement in creating the illustrations, nor does she credit an artist—or an AI tool. That omission feels misleading.

To add insult to injury, the Instagram account associated with the project mysteriously disappeared around the time I wrote this review. It previously featured real photos of her cat, which could have served as a much more meaningful and authentic foundation for a tribute, had she chosen to use them.

In the end, this book feels like a missed opportunity: a shallow attempt at charm without the substance, honesty, or effort to back it up.

This book was so sweet and really light-hearted. I loved the cozy vibes. The illustrations are so cute too. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc.