This was a fun sweet book that I think people with autism and those trying to learn more about a loved one with autism will enjoy. It was indepth enough to offer real information without pigeonholing too much information or narrowing down the focus since autism affects people in variety of ways. I loved the accompanying cat pictures which enhanced the messages and didn't feel like a reach. Generally just a great book.

This is a great, informative series. I like that the focus was that autism is a spectrum and you can’t put people with autism into one box. The disorder can manifest in countless ways.

This is such a cute and approachable book for informing young children about what autism is and the experiences that autistic people have, whether the child themself is autistic or if they have friends, classmates, or family members who are. This book uses affirming and inclusive language and it is informative in an age appropriate way. Plus, it has tons of silly pictures of cats that kids will love to look at while they learn. I'm excited to include this book in my classroom library.

First off I want to thank the ARC for letting me get this book! What a cute and quick read! If you think you may be on the autism spectrum this is a good "starter" book to read. What a cute little read anything by this author is pure GOLD!

Are you a cat lover? Have you ever related to your cat on a personal level? If you answered yes to either of those questions, this book is for you!

This is such a sweet little book, full of adorable cat photos and funny cat memes guaranteed to make you smile. The message is heartfelt and true: all cats really are on the Autism Spectrum, and the qualities that make this statement true are exactly what makes cats so lovable and unique.

My only minor critiques:
- I cringed at the photos of kitties with yarn and strings of beads. Danger! Keep your babies away from your craft stash!
- I would have preferred exclusively cat photography as opposed to memes (some images looked almost AI generated). Still super cutie though!

A couple positive things that stood out to me:
- I loved the little paw print trail motif carried throughout and the bright (yet inoffensive) colors used on the end pages.
- I really appreciated the author’s note, in particular their willingness to adapt to changes such as acceptable vernacular and diagnostic terminology.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves cats! For people who work with, live with, or care for children on the Autism Spectrum, this book is a lovely way to start conversations about acceptance and appreciation.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a really cute way to give kids a high level way of understanding autism. This is apparently an update, including title change, from an early 2000s book. While I don't know what the differences are between editions, the information provided doesn't feel dated. I think each sentence in this bookis easily an opportunity for people to have conversations with kids on what they can and can't relate to.

Also, there are pictures of cats! The cats are all adorable and I'm sure will keep kids engaged and/or distract them.

Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the ARC.

Every now and then, I like to pick up non-fiction books like this one. Honestly, the cute cat on the cover caught my eye first, but the title is what truly made me stop and read.

With plans to pursue my Master’s in Special Education, finding this book felt like such a sweet discovery. It’s an 80-page children's non-fiction photo book that offers a gentle overview of what it’s like to be a person with autism, using relatable cat photos and traits to bring characteristics like sensory sensitivities and communication styles to life.

While society is getting so much better at accepting people on the spectrum, I think what we often lack is true understanding and this short overview bridges that gap in such a lighthearted, accessible way for all ages, from kids to adults.

One thing I’ve always felt about people on the spectrum is that they show us a genuinely beautiful way to live. So often, they don't get caught up in competing, conforming, or comparing themselves to others. There’s a quiet contentment in just existing as themselves, and reading this was a lovely reminder of that.

Whether you’re a cat lover or not, this is such a heartwarming and insightful read for everyone’s bookshelf.

This is so beautiful. Using kittens to talk about what it's like to be autistic is a wonderful way to celebrate differences. And it felt so accurate! I would recommend this as a gift for anyone with an autistic person in their life.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read this

As an elementary special education teacher and cat lover. This book is fantastic! I can’t wait to buy it and read it to my class. It talks about traits of those on the spectrum and relates it to cute cat photos. Phrasing information so young readers can understand big concepts.

WOW! I loved this book and will absolutely be adding it to both my family and professional libraries when it releases.

This is a wonderful resource for autistic people, families, educators, and anyone looking to better understand autism. Whether you're learning about your own experiences or hoping to better support a loved one, this book does an excellent job of showing that autism can look very different from person to person.

What I appreciated most was the way it presents autistic experiences with understanding, respect, and validation. As an autistic person myself, I found it refreshing to read a book that helps readers understand autism while also making autistic individuals feel seen and comfortable with the ways we experience the world.

Creating a more inclusive and supportive world starts with education, and this book is a fantastic step in that direction. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Kathy Hoopmann, Sheldon Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Evidently a comforting book to many on the spectrum. Kind of a Hallmark book, quick read, easy to grasp.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! This is a wonderful overview of what it is like to be on the autism spectrum. I really appreciate that the author took the time to update it to not just be about boys, as someone who is a woman and honestly probably autistic (and is definitely neurodivergent, haha), but no one ever bothered to diagnose me while I was growing up. And, because I consider myself a crazy cat lady, of course I loved the pictures! The book makes me not feel so alone in how I am. Thank you!

All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum: An affirming introduction to autism is an adorable nonfiction book by award-winning author, Kathy Hoopmann. Originally published in 2006 under the title, All Cats have Asperger Syndrome, it was Hoopmann's first photo book. She recognized that most books on the subject were intended for adults, she wanted to create something children could read that focused on the positives while still addressing the obstacles. The feline photographs are absolutely perfect, and even children too young to read will enjoy looking at the pictures.

In 2020, she updated the books to add gender neutral language to acknowledge the terminology changes that occurred over the years. I ordered the last published version (2020) in ebook format to compare with this newest edition. As far as I can tell, nothing has changed. It was an excellent book in 2020 and it's an excellent book in 2026. The photographs are beautiful, the captions are well written, and this book is perfect for readers of any age. Adults can read it to younger children, school-aged children can read it for themselves, and anyone will enjoy having this book in their collection.

Whether the reader knows someone on the autism spectrum, or just loves cats, it will make an excellent gift. My youngest is on the autism spectrum and I wish I'd had this book when they were young. That said, I plan to gift all three of my adult children with copies of all three books because they are still relevant. They celebrate the positivity and individuality while exploring what it is to be unique. I highly recommend all three books!

This is quite cute. I never read the original book "All Cats Have Aspergers Syndrome", but I think this is a good way to educate or for someone with autism to feel seen while also getting to look at pictures of cute cats. There is some humor in this.

A very welcome update on terminology, indeed. The book is charming, but it's also quite shallow in its approach of such an interesting topic (even if children are the targeted demographic). A beginner-friendly introduction to the subject nonetheless.

Thanks to John Murray Press and NetGalley for this digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Having Read All Dogs have ADHD, I Decided t give this a Read & Oh yes. Cats have many of the traits of Asperger Sydrome children, though I don't agree with some of her comparisons. For example, Hoopmann says, "He likes to be near those he loves, but doesn't want them to hold him,..." Well, some cats are like that, but others stick to you like velcro and enjoy being held. On the other hand, the part about "When people talk to him he may refuse to look at them" is dead on. My cats do that if I'm yelling at them or asking who knocked this or that over--suddenly every one of them has something else very interesting to look at. All in all, this is a very simple, clear explanation of what it is like to have Asperger Syndrome, with some darn cute pictures in the bargain. Recommended!!

Thank you NetGalley for this review copy.

I can't believe how cute this was. Kind of like a collection of memes. But I l8k3d how it flowed. Great for a kid who might be feeling alone. Ok, maybe adults, too.

This was a cute, quick read that uses adorable cat photos and simple comparisons to explain some of the different traits and experiences associated with autism. It offers a positive, friendly, and unintimidating introduction to the autism spectrum, especially for children or readers who are unfamiliar with the topic.

The book is fairly simplistic, but I understand that accessibility is part of its purpose. My biggest issue was the grammar errors throughout. They became distracting and made the book feel as though it needed another round of editing.

Overall, I’m giving it four stars because CATS! The adorable photographs won me over, and I appreciated the positive message about understanding and celebrating everyone’s differences.

All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum
Written By: Kathy Hoppmann

Releases on September 24 2026

Thank you to Netgalley and John Murray Press / Sheldon Press for providing me with an Advanced Copy to review! All opinions in this review are my own.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Autistic people aren’t all the same though, and their strengths and challenges are like tangles of colour, each a little different from the next.”

What I Liked:
🩷Includes a History Note for the first All Cats book: “All Cats Have Asperger’s Syndrome.”
🩷Written from a third person perspective
🩷Included lots of quote examples in the pictures to further understand Autism
🩷Easy to understand
🩷Adorable and entertaining pictures


My Book Rating System
⭐️ means it was a DNF.
⭐️⭐️ means I should have chosen to DNF.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was okay. I will not read this again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was good. I will probably read this again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ means it was amazing. I will definitely be reading this again.

A positive, friendly and unintimidating informative book on cats (people) with Autism. Very open and easy in explaining how the condition affects everyone differently.

This is a fun and simple way to introduce understanding of autism and how it can be observed In children and young people. It enables parents and children to very simply explore what experiences a child with autism may encounter. With charm and simplicity, it can be shared with other people in the child's life to foster understanding of autism. Its simplicity is perfect for young children, it's relatability for older children. This is a book that can be read over and shared for many years.

Exceptional book. As a preschool teacher, I love how this explains autism spectrum in a way everyone can understand. As an aunt of an autistic adult, I love that this book is so positive. It makes the extra sensitivity to sensory input into Super powers. Love it!

I had read the original version of this book as a child and was really pleased that the book had been updated to use terminology like ‘autism spectrum’ rather than Asperger’s, as this and other inclusive language used felt very refreshing. As an autistic person, I definitely related to a lot of the points in the book, especially because I also love and relate to cats! This was funny and relatable, and I’d definitely recommend this to anyone new to autism, wanting a funny but also educational take on what it can be like to be autistic, told through cats. (And the photos of cats were also adorable!)

Absolutely loved this. I don't have kids myself but I still like to read kids books to help recommend friends, family, and anyone else to lovely reads such as this for their kids. This was so much more informative than I was expecting. I believe I might be on the spectrum myself and never even thought about associating it with the way cats act. It makes it feel so much more normal and I absolutely loved that. I will be recommending this to everyone I know!

i went into this expecting cute cats and got SO MUCH MORE.

i found the foreword/author's note especially important! the fact that hoopmann chose to update this book to make it more inclusive and align better with current discussions on autism is just SO thoughtful. kudos to them for taking the time! i love that the foreword was written by someone who benefited from the original edition, too! those details all matter and made me enjoy the book so much more once i started.

i had SO much fun reading this. the cats were adorable and i loved how they matched the sentiment on the page. so, so, so cute. i love that all of the cats were credited in the back, too, haha.

this was a very thoughtful book that i think plenty of people would enjoy and find comfort in.

Thank you for the oppourtunity to read and review.

I read All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum with my autistic child and it was such a lovely book to share. Cats are his favourite domesticated animal, so he particularly enjoyed looking at the photographs and spotting the similarities between the behaviours and characteristics described in the book and himself. The gorgeous photography really helped to hold his attention and made the book feel engaging and accessible.

I appreciated the overall positive and affirming approach to autism. It created opportunities for conversation and helped my child recognise some of his own experiences in a fun and relatable way.

If I had one critique, it would be the use of the phrase “on the spectrum.” In our family, we prefer to use “autistic,” as we feel this is more natural and affirming. That said, this is a personal preference, and it didn't detract from the generally positive message of the book.

Overall, this was a sweet, engaging, and visually beautiful book that I enjoyed reading with my child.

Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press / Sheldon Press for providing an advance reading copy.

I went into All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum skeptical. The premise sounded cute, but I wasn’t convinced that using cats to explain autism could offer meaningful understanding without reducing autistic people to a collection of quirky stereotypes.

I completely changed my mind.

The photographs aren’t simply adorable illustrations accompanying information about autism—they’re part of how the book communicates. Experiences that can be incredibly difficult to explain become immediately intuitive when paired with the right image: wanting closeness without physical affection, seeking comfort differently, needing sameness in ways others may not understand, becoming overwhelmed by sensory input, missing social cues while still caring deeply about other people’s feelings, or having abilities and tolerances that fluctuate from one day to another.

The simplicity is what makes it so effective.

There were pages that made me laugh, pages where I recognized myself, and pages where I immediately thought of my children. The section explaining meltdowns—particularly the loss of control and feelings that can follow—hit especially hard from a parenting perspective. I found myself wishing I’d had something this accessible years ago.

I also appreciated how intentionally the book avoids treating autistic people as a monolith. It acknowledges different combinations of strengths, challenges, preferences, sensory experiences, and needs, while also recognizing that an individual’s capacity isn’t necessarily the same every day.

Haley Moss’s foreword and Kathy Hoopmann’s author note added even more depth. Together, they provide important context for the history of the original book, the evolution of autism terminology and understanding, and the value this deceptively simple format has had for autistic readers themselves.

For my fellow cover judgers: don’t dismiss this as a cute gimmick. I almost did. The cats are funny—and ridiculously cute—but they’re doing meaningful explanatory work. This book made concepts I’ve spent years trying to understand and explain feel intuitive in a matter of pages.

I’d recommend this incredibly broadly: autistic children, teens and adults; parents and caregivers; educators; therapists; libraries; classrooms; and anyone who wants a more compassionate and accessible way to understand autism. I can especially see this being fantastic read aloud in classrooms with autistic students, where the photographs and humor could open conversations without making the material feel clinical or intimidating.

Frankly, this feels like the kind of book everyone could benefit from reading.

I finished it laughing, crying, feeling seen, feeling validated as a parent—and immediately wanting my own copy.

I was so pleased to have the opportunity through Net Galley to read this series of books by Kathy Hookmann. All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum with its photos of cats captured in different situations accompanied by simple text, gives a concise but informative introduction to what it can be like living on the spectrum.

This would be a great book to give to children who have recently been diagnosed to better help them understand themselves and how they can navigate the world. Even though it is a children's book I as an neurodivergent adult saw myself in many of the pages. I can also see this being a great resource for the families, ,friends and teachers of anyone on the spectrum, helping to giving them a glimpse of what life on the spectrum can be like so they are better equipped to walk alongside the people in their lives, wh0 experience the world this way.

What a sweet, little book. Teaching children, and perhaps their parents, about autism through cats is such a charming idea. I found this to be much more informative than one may think when looking at the cover. A great read for everyone - regardless of age!

All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum is a thoughtful and engaging introduction to autism, using charming cat photographs to illustrate common autistic traits with warmth and respect. Blending humor with empathy, it celebrates individuality while encouraging greater understanding and acceptance. A heartwarming and accessible read for all ages.

This book came to me at the right time in my life and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

My son has recently been diagnosed as autistic, I suspect myself and my partner are as well so it was great to see that our cat isn't left out!

I thought the pictures were wonderful, a few did make me laugh.

I learnt so much about myself and others and why we do certain things, it was a very reassuring book - it made me feel more normal.

I am looking forward to sitting down with my teenage son and reading this with him as well. I hope he gets from it as much as I did. I know it will be a winner, as he absolutely loves cats!

A great source to explain autism to children without it sounding too serious. My kids loved the pictures. They were so fun!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I downloaded all three books because I was intrigued by the concept and I’m impressed! First of all, the photos are adorable. It also simplifies a lot of concepts to make it easier for children (and adults) to understand complex mental wellness topics.

In the same series as the dogs, this is another cute and very informative book. I love the pictures again in this one, and the foreword is quite interesting with the background as well. A lovely book, suitable for now and the coming years, which makes an abstract concept way more easy to understand for kids. And I loved the page about the tapestry of life! 5*, also because of the foreword, which gives it just a bit more depth for the older readers as well.

Finding informative books on various learning differences can be a challenge, especially ones that are great for early elementary. This is a lighthearted way to introduce kids to the ways that Autism can be experienced--both the strengths and the challenges of that learning profile. Kids will enjoy looking at the cute and sometimes hilarious cat photos, and the text can help kids put into words what they sense is different about them. A great way to make kids with Autism more knowledgeable about their learning profile and feel seen. While the text would be best as a read aloud with young kids, the photos will definitely draw in the early elementary readers.

(This review is for the 2026 updated edition “ All cats are on the autism spectrum”)

My 10 year old has recently been diagnosed with asd level 2 and has been anxious what this diagnosis means for him. As an avid cat lover this book was the perfect introduction for him. Throughout reading this book together, many times he exclaimed to me “ I’m like this!” or laughed outright as he recognised some of his quirkier traits. This book is a heartwarming way to celebrate these differences and also created a sense of belonging and that he is not alone in the diagnosis. The way this information is presented is adorable and in an approachable format that will appeal to all ages. I can’t speak to the way the book has been updated as Sawyers diagnosis is so very new, but as a family that is feeling out of our depth this book was such a joy to read together and we will absolutely need to purchase a hard copy.

This was such a sweet read.

As an autistic person who also loves cats, I was hooked from the first few pages. The comparisons between autistic traits and cats just made so much sense to me. I found myself smiling and thinking, “Yep… that’s me.”

It’s a short, quick read, but it still has a lot of heart. I think it does a beautiful job of helping people understand autism in a gentle, respectful way while also feeling really validating if you’re autistic yourself.

I genuinely loved this one and I’ll definitely be recommending it.

What a novel short read!

My rating is 3.5 will round up to 4!

At 80 pages this book is packed full of adorable pictures of cats and kittens, coupled with statements about the autism spectrum.

The foreword was such a lovely touch. It was written by someone who says an earlier version of this book had a profound effect on them to this day. It has allowed them to initiate discussions, educate others, and feel more comfortable in their own skin.

This series has been great for highlighing the condition and behaviours, but also for reaffirming that it's ok to be different and providing some gentle encouragement.

Its great to see the author has done work to update terminology to better reflect current times. It addresses it in general terms rather than focusing on one gender.

This book is a great idea for kids and for adults to help them explore some of the behaviours of autism, whilst also gaining some positive affirmations. This book could benefit from maybe throwing in a few fun facts just to round off the educational portion of this book.

Thank you to Kathy Hoopmann and John Murray Press for this complimentary advanced copy via Netgalley. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
As an autistic person who is owned by a cat, this book is both adorable and relatable. It covers a lot of autistic traits in this short book. Great book for cat lovers and those who know and love someone on the autism spectrum.

I won't lie, as an autistic person I went into this one slightly skeptical that this book would over generalize or lean into stereotypes. I was pleasantly surprised to find that wasn't the case.
The author speaks simply about autism but uses language to remind the reader that it is indeed a spectrum and looks different on everyone.

I also appreciated the choice to use the hyperlegible font on captions that were on photos and a simple legible font for everything else. This simple thing makes the book so much more accessible to readers.

The glossary in the back with tags of each of the cats is a fun and needed touch in a day when AI generated art becomes a bigger issue by the day.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Adorable book of the cutest cats they could find. This book will make anyone smile.

I love how this book tells about being on the autism spectrum. It tells it in an informative way and has lots of great pictures of cats. It was a great read and I highly recommend to others to get a good understanding about being on the autism spectrum.

This book is a wonderful way to use picture books as a teaching tool for not only children but adults alike. This whole series is an easy way to describe the hard to understand subjects in a relatable way.

All Cats Are on the Spectrum is a heartwarming, humorous, and surprisingly insightful book that uses cats to explain autistic traits in a way that feels both relatable and accessible.

Each page pairs a wonderful photograph of a cat with a short description of an autistic characteristic. The result is both funny and deeply validating. The adorable images make the topic feel approachable while helping readers better understand experiences that can otherwise be difficult to put into words.

What makes this book so special is just how perfectly cats fit as a metaphor. Their unique behaviors, preferences, and ways of interacting with the world make them an excellent comparison for explaining many autistic traits. Rather than trivializing autism, the book creates an engaging and compassionate way to talk about it.

I can imagine this book being valuable in many different situations: as a way for autistic readers to recognize themselves, as a tool to help friends and family better understand autistic experiences, or even as a lighthearted conversation starter with plenty of cat lovers smiling in recognition. The photographs make the concepts memorable and relatable, adding warmth and humor without taking away from the message.

This is a charming, thoughtful, and highly accessible read that combines education, empathy, and a love of cats in a truly wonderful way.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

My review:

I requested this book as my daughter is AuDHD and I have heard about this title so often when people want books to explain autism to both autistic children and neurotypical children. It is a really lovely way to explain autism to those who may not understand autism or want to know more. It was lovely to read a sensitive taken what people with autism may feel and how they might act, but in a more light hearted way. It was lovely to read it with my daughter and chat with her about it and how having a fun book like this made her feel. The images are really fun and helped my daughter engage with the text.

Review from 7 year old daughter:

The book was showing silly, funny things but they went well with the story. I liked that it talked about how autism is different for everyone. But I definitely think all cats are autistic like me! I was nice that the book expressed how autism might feel. I love cats and I am autistic so I really enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

I have always found myself joking with my significant other about how one of our cats is clearly autistic and this book verifies that statement. I also found this title endearing as a way to discuss how autism is naturally a spectrum and it appears differently for everyone.

This book is adorable and informative! I especially appreciated the thoughtful introduction. Combining informative text with adorable photos is such a clever way to create an engaging nonfiction title. I will be purchasing this title and the additional titles in the series for our library collection.

If you love cats this book is for you!
Beautiful photos and insights into their lives, their little head, with humour...

The photographs of adorable cats pair perfectly with the text, illuminating various aspects of autism. Readers will learn about neurodivergence, and make connections between human and feline behaviors. I really liked this approach and would recommend it as a visual guide to many neurodivergent behaviors. I recommend this book for schools and libraries.