The Cat Who Couldn't Be Bothered
by Jack Kurland
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Pub Date 26 Mar 2024 | Archive Date 21 Dec 2023
Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, Frances Lincoln Children's Books

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Description
There is a cat. A cat that couldn’t be bothered to do anything … anything at all. His friends ask him if he wants to play but he doesn’t feel like it. They invite him on adventures to far-off places, but he would rather stay at home. Until one day, a friend asks how he is doing, and the true reason why he’d rather do nothing is revealed. He is feeling sad.
This is a story about feelings, friendship, and the importance of speaking to someone when you don’t feel right. This beautiful socially aware story:
- Reassures kids that feeling sad sometimes is normal
- Helps them understand others’ behavior and promotes empathy
- Encourages them to be more in touch with their feelings
- Provides a sense of fun while also broaching a tricky topic
Both children and adults will love the quirky and hilarious cat’s refusal to take part in anything, and the sweet and important message behind this story.
It’s never been more important to introduce kids to the importance of mental health. This bright children’s book is an easy way to talk about feelings and looking out for others. It provides an excellent jumping-off point for at-home and classroom discussions about emotional wellbeing and caring for others.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9780711287457 |
PRICE | US$18.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 40 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

What a charming short tale of a cat who couldn’t be bothered! I absolutely love this and relate to it as an adult as well as when I was a child. I want to buy this for my nieces and nephews to have a copy. And the ending made me laugh.
Relatable but actually makes you a bit emotional. Being sad really is like this.

I'm absolutely buying this for every introverted cat addicted adult I know. Also my kids loved it.
I literally lol'd.
Thank you to Netgalley, Jack Kurland and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. My opinion is left honestly and voluntarily.n

This was a good book on feeling sad. It kind of helps me understand what my son is going through. He is very sad right now. I hope that when I'm letting him be sad at my house, it's helpful. Really it just makes me sad too though. The storyline is good and great imagination scenes. It starts out black and white and then big colorful pages abound, kinda makes you feel happy looking at them. Then there is a twist at the end of the book. I'm typically a thriller reader, so a twist is big in my book.

love this. short but accurate. and still relatable to human even though it's about a cat. a cat who literally couldn't be bothered of anything.

This book caught my eye originally because I too, have a cat that cannot be bothered. I was pleasantly surprised at how deep this beautiful little book was. It's about a cat who just doesn't want to do anything. His friends are coming up with some fun things to do and he's just having none of it. Eventually, he admits he's sad. His friends come to the rescue and do what friends are supposed to do. They support him. They sit with him while he works out his feelings.. The illustrations are gorgeous especially when you get to the parts where "Greg" imagines what it would be like to do these amazing things with his friends. I think it is so important to talk to our children about mental health. That's is okay to be sad. That it's okay to say no, and to set boundaries. This was a wonderful little read for any age. And that you can have empathy for your fellow cat, even if you can't remember his name.

The Cat Who Couldn’t Be Bothered by Jack Kurland is a perfect example of a picture book that is perfect for any audience, from childhood through adulthood. This is the simple story of a cat who simply can’t. No matter what his peers ask or present, he simply can’t. At the end of the book, he reveals that he is feeling sad and sets a boundary that he just can’t engage in activities. His friends affirm his feelings and offer to hold space for him until he feels better. The book is simple, direct, and uses a good humor approach to verbalizing emotional struggle. The story provides an excellent pathway towards processing boundaries, verbalizing difficulty, taking time for self-restoration, and even holding space for loved ones. I intend to add this to my therapy practice collection and look forward to more books by this author!

I loved this book. It is very important that we start taking to children about feelings and emotions young, so that we can normalize mental health conditions such as depression and sadness. I am walking my own journey with depression and anxiety myself, and I wonder if I had been able to see myself in books at a younger age if I would have been able to figure out what I was dealing with at an earlier age, or if it would have made me feel less alone.
The illustrations were simple and included a lot of white space, but this matched the theme of the book well and I think worked really well in this case.
I received an advanced copy of this book from netgalley. All opinions are my own.

The cutest book, nice little story with gorgeous illustrations. Would definitely recommend for my little nephews.

Beautifully illustrated picture book about a cat who doesn't want to do any of the things his friends invite him to do. He is feeling sad and just doesn't want to do anything. His friends say that they feel like this sometimes too and offer to do nothing with him. I loved the way that the friends aren't put off by the cat's reluctance to join in and were able to recognise their own feelings in his.

I love this book because I, also, cannot be bothered. There is lovely artwork of cats and the simplicity of the cover really drew me in along with the title. One of my favorite pastimes is doing absolutely nothing so I really resonated with this book. My favorite page is when they are all lying down. I love Gareth.

THIS BOOK IS ADORABLE! I will be purchasing multiple copies and giving them to friends. Such a sweet story of meeting your friend where they are. Even if that means doing nothing! Thank you Netgalley and publishers for this adorable book.

Hasti and I finished another picture children's book today. It's about a beautiful cat who can't be bothered and wants to do nothing.
Hasti loved it and gave it 5 stars. The illustrations were simply stunning, filled with a multitude of lovely cats and dogs who come together to cheer up their friend and make him sure that it's okay sometimes to feel sad and do nothing.
Thank you Frances Lincoln Children's Books via NetGalley for ARC. Hasti and I gave our honest review and we highly recommend this book to all the young readers out there.

Book 143 of 200 ~ 2023
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Omg this book is bloody brilliant! About this cat who doesn't want to do anything no matter how fun the activity with his other cat friends could be!
He just isn't in a mood and just wants to do nothing because he can'tbe bothered! That's fine. We all feel tbay way..
The kicker was the end.. i cackled so hard.
LOVE THIS!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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What a gorgeous book with simple yet heartwarming and cute storyline, completed with a gorgeous illustrations. It brings smile on my face who is currently reading this book while her brain is busy with overthinking about works.

I really enjoyed this one – it was a really good story that helps with prompts to discuss more about how people have different feelings and emotions to children.
I will be honest, at times I understand how the cat is feeling. I do suffer from anxiety and at times I do still have days where everything feelings like it’s all a bit too much and with a 6 year old who wants to be out there, doing everything and having fun, at times it does feel like a push and a strain to do things.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, I loved the idea and the simple illustrations really work with the story too – highly recommended and a great way to raise the topic of mental health and other people's feelings as they might not be the same as yours

A children’s classic.
Using the stereo-type of a cat’s perceived life of ease and relaxation. The book reaffirms that the cat in question seems content to do nothing.
Yet the cat’s “friends” however meaningful don’t quite get it. Indeed, they don’t understand “Greg” or get him.
In the process our children will get it completely. Sometimes being busy and doing things isn’t the secret to enjoying life. Doing nothing with friends can be the means for deeper meaning and growing relationships.
By listening to Greg, the friends will finally understand him, learn who he really is and then have more fun in the activities they share.
I loved this book; it made me smile all the way through and I know children find this simple picture book fun too. Beautifully drawn and illustrated it takes us on a journey to understanding others.
In a time of mental health concern and encouraging the well-being of others it teaches all of us to be there for one another, not to assume but to listen. Not imposing our ideas but responding to the needs of those we wish to engage or befriend.
A book that says more in a few pages, whose brief words and simple drawings shouts truths that will endure and influence our attitudes in life.

Gareth the grumpy cat is me and I am him 😂😂 loved this short graphic novel and I want to check the author/illustrators socials because I feel like they understand me.

"A Cat Who Couldn't Be Bothered" by Jack Kurland is about a seemingly disinterested cat. or at least appeared so until the story unfolds the reason behind the cat's disinterest..
Kurland's narrative skillfully conveys the importance of empathy and understanding one another's emotions. The idea that sometimes, people (or in this case, cats) may appear disengaged, but there's often an underlying reason for their behavior. This valuable life lesson is presented in a gentle and age-appropriate manner, for young readers.
I also love the illustrations they are both whimsical and endearing, bringing the story to life with vibrant colors and expressive characters.
It is a fantastic read for young readers.

I absolutely adore this book. It deals with a rather difficult yet sadly common topics among children today in a light-hearted and heart-warming way.

This was the cutest thing ever.
I know it's supposed to teach children about friendship and sadness and being there for each other and it definitely does all that BUT I am in my late twenties and I'm feeling so asocial and I'm channelling this cat as my spirit animal.

I feel like I've just been on an emotional rollercoaster. This was, on the whole, funny, and I'm glad the cat was able to open up about his feelings. I think young kids will enjoy the silliness with the illustrations and cats splooting, and as they get older will understand feelings and the importance of talking about them.

This is a cute children’s picture book. The pictures are simple and engaging. The story looks at inviting others to join in with you and the other person saying no thanks. But also maybe going further and trying to find out why they ‘can’t be bothered’ and dealing with that appropriately. Finally as someone who continually gets names wrong, I liked the ending. Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - Francis Lincoln Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

This is a really adorable book! It’s a fun and light-hearted way to cover and introduce a potentially heavy topic. This is a great starting point for kiddos when figuring out their feelings and emotions. The pictures are also super cute and colorful!

This is an adorable book. The illustrations are simple and interesting and the story is so accepting of just feeling how you’re feeling. The ending made me snort. Extremely cute, with a funny twist.

Cats are for me so anything cat related I love. I buy all the little people in my life books at any opportunity and if there is cats in them all the better. This is perfect a lovely story exploring feelings , gorgeous drawings of cats and in general a lovely book for little cat people. On my gift list

I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC and I read it with my little niece. I absolutely loved the illustration and the story - it's meant to be a book for children, but I'm pretty sure every adult has a day when they just “can't be bothered” to do anything. I definitely recommend it (even to serious adults who want to be understood, even if just for a moment or two).

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For bored and lonely Greg, life is the same day in and day out. Until the other cats visit him, wanting to invite Greg on their adventures. From visiting Mars to traveling in a jungle, these other cats want to hang out with Greg. But what's Greg's honest answer, and how do the other ones react? And is Greg really his name?
An utterly honest picture book on the highs and lows of one depressed cat. "Greg" doesn't want to do anything at all except law down for a while. I enjoyed "The Cat Who Couldn't Be Bothered" and the many ways the other cats tried to coax Greg into going, too.

Thank you Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the ARC!
I loved this book and the illustrations. I love that it normalizes sadness and not wanting to do anything! And that sometimes it's okay to just be and sit in our sadness. A great lesson to teach the kiddos in our lives -- and adults!
I also love that the MC is a tuxedo cat. They are such characters!!

This is a cute story. I liked the artwork. Each page turn makes you smile. The story is about feelings, friendship, and empathy, as well as the need to speak out when something doesn't seem right. Children's stories may portray the most profound concepts that are rarely seen in any other medium. This is one of the many reasons why reading children's books can be so enjoyable and meaningful.
Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher!

Short, sweet, and hilarious! This book made me laugh out loud and I'm not even a cat lover. Both children and adults will enjoy this charming tale.

A funny and touching picture book for young readers showing it is OK to feel down and sometimes we can be there for each other by doing nothing together. I think kids will laugh out loud and then have a lot of feelings. Wonderful! Thank you for the chance to read early.

Did I just relate to a cat? Yes, I did.
There was a cat who couldn’t be bothered. His friends asked him to join them on their adventure but the cat always declines. Whatever they ask the cat that might interest him, he seems like he couldn’t be bothered. Until one day his friend ask him why he doesn’t join in anything his friends do? The real reason is that he feels sad.
This book is about being open to your feelings and being empathetic. Sometimes we get to the point in our lives where we feel tired of everything. With this busy generation of being productive and busy, relaxing and doing nothing seems unsatisfactory to a lot of people. It even seems like a “taboo”. If doing nothing can’t give anything in return like money, then it’s not encouraged a lot. I like how this book shows that there are days when we don’t feel like doing anything at all, especially when we’re sad. It’s like we focus our energy to our sadness that’s why we feel like we couldn’t be bothered. And the story of the cat is relatable to many.
I like how this book introduces kids about sharing their feeling to others and relating to other’s feelings. Not a lot of people grow up to families who likes to share their feelings to their friends or even adult family members. With this book, it will help kids understand that sharing your feelings to others will help others understand how you really feel. People will know how to react in a proper way. This book also teaches that there’s nothing wrong with doing nothing. Sometimes we just need a break.
The illustrations are also cute! I like the cat’s eye expressions since I think they’re fitting to the cat’s feelings.
Overall this book is a good! If there are children in our family, I would read this to them!
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the Advance Reading Copy.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy.
I was babysitting my niece, and I needed a book to read to her, so we picked this one because we are cat lovers. This was so cute and it had a great message, and we loved the drawings. I definitely recommend reading this to a young child, or even just for yourself!

The Cat Who Couldn't Be Bothered by Jack Kurland is such a cute, quick read with beautiful imagery. It was actually the cat illustrations that drew me to reading the story and I'm so glad I did.
Greg is a black and white cat who just "can't be bothered," to do anything his friends suggest. He doesn't want to play with string or go on any adventures. His friends finally ask what he wants to do and show support in what he feels he needs.
As someone who has battled mental illness, I love that this book is showing kids that sometimes it's okay to want to do nothing. The best thing we can do for them is to exist in the same space with them, while putting their needs ahead of fun things we want to do.
I do think that expanding on the end a little bit would've been good. But, it is a good place to start a conversation about how to support the people you love when they aren't feeling great. And it's even a fantastic lesson for some adults who have never dealt with problems like that!
The end of the book also had a super cute twist that felt relatable as a depressed person who's been through a funk like this.
4.5 stars: Would recommend to those looking for a book to start conversations on feelings and empathy with young children.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jack Kurland, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC! I will be posting a review on Goodreads and my blog closer to the release date of the book, I will publish the review on Amazon/B&N on the day of book release.

A lovely wee book!
I know we are always confounded on how to talk to our children about the "negative" emotions like sadness, and it can feel very tricky to navigate any such conversation. I love that this short book communicates a lot - not only normalising the emotion but also sharing that many people around us feel it.
Honestly, children's books can sometimes say things even adults can't. I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley, for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.
This was short but awesome!!
I just couldn’t stop looking at all the details of the more detailed illustrations, but I appreciated the less detailed ones as much because they gave me a clear and important message. There’s a reason why this cat keeps saying no to everything and as soon as someone really cares and asks it why, we start to understand and relate and the way they reacted at the end was so sweet and amazing! It made me smile my biggest smile!
There are so many great lessons here, brought to kids in a relatable, easy and fun way!
It’s okay to not feel like doing anything because you’re sad or for any other reason. It helps to talk about it and if you see anyone else acting the same way, it helps them if you really care and take the time to just ask a few simple questions. Feelings are okay and being there for eachother is important.

That cat just like me Fr
On another note tho, this was such a funny well illustrated book. A short read perfect for children and adults alike, I'd absolutely recommend.

Brilliant book. Such a strong message as well that it’s ok to do nothing some times and it’s not that you’re boring or bored it’s that you just can’t do anything and that’s ok

What a lazy cat, I thought when I started reading this book to my daughter. This is what the cover design and the title imply, don't they? Oh boy, how wrong I was.
We had a nice little chat with my 5 year old about Greg and why he may have felt like doing nothing all day long. An important topic, especially with kids. Great illustrations too!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group / Frances Lincoln Children's Books for an Advance Review Copy.
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