Flat Cat: The Class Pet

Part of Flat Cat

Author Tara Lazar
Illustrated by Pete Oswald
Look inside
Hardcover
$18.99 US
8.87"W x 11.25"H x 0.38"D  
On sale Jun 17, 2025 | 40 Pages | 9780593404607
Preschool - 2
Reading Level: Lexile 570L | Fountas & Pinnell L

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Big Cheese, Pete Oswald, and critically acclaimed author of 7 Ate 9 and Bloop, Tara Lazar, comes a back-to-school adventure for Flat Cat!

Flat Cat was born flat. He wasn't squashed under the lunch lady's rolling pin. He wasn't smushed by an avalanche of library books. He was just flat. And most of the time, Flat Cat liked it just like that. 

Until one day, when Flat Cat, in the mood for a change of scenery, slips into his friend Willow's backpack and accompanies her to school, where he gets folded into a paper airplane, passed as a secret note, and used as a bathroom pass. Will Flat Cat be able to escape the chaos? Or will he realize he is keen to be loved and adored?

From acclaimed author Tara Lazar and brought to life by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald, this is a hilariously quirky and irreverent story that is sure to appeal to fans of Pete the Cat!

Praise for Flat Cat:

*"This amusing picture book is fun for reading aloud." --Booklist (starred review) on Flat Cat

"Whimsy, wonder, and wacky humor in just the right proportions." --GeekMom on Flat Cat

"An amusing and memorable story for cat ­lovers." --School Library Journal on Flat Cat: The Class Pet

"Perfect for cat lovers who wonder how their feline escape artists seemingly walk through doors." --BCCB on Flat Cat
TARA LAZAR taught herself to juggle at age ten in hopes of launching a career as a clown. Instead, she was voted class clown in school. Eventually she decided that writing silly stories like The MonstoreLittle Red Gliding Hood and most recently, 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story, was better than riding silly unicycles. Tara lives in New Jersey with her acrobatic daughters, strongman husband and hoop-jumping hamster. View titles by Tara Lazar
Pete Oswald is the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Sour Grape, The Smart Cookie, The Couch Potato, The Cool Bean, The Good Egg, and The Bad Seed, all written by Jory John. Pete's authorial debut, Hike, was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. He is also the illustrator of Sleepy Sheepy, written by Lucy Ruth Cummins; Flat Cat, written by Tara Lazar; and the indie bestsellers The Attack of the Underwear Dragon, and The Return of the Underwear Dragon, written by Scott Rothman. In addition to making picture books, he works on numerous highly successful animated franchises as a character designer, concept artist, and production designer. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons. View titles by Pete Oswald
"Flat Cat’s adventures are amusing—he’s a paper airplane, a secret note, a bathroom pass—but like the message in Jeff Brown's Flat Stanley, this shows Flat Cat’s willingness to go with the flow and help out a friend in need. An amusing and memorable story for cat ­lovers."--School Library Journal
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About

From the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Big Cheese, Pete Oswald, and critically acclaimed author of 7 Ate 9 and Bloop, Tara Lazar, comes a back-to-school adventure for Flat Cat!

Flat Cat was born flat. He wasn't squashed under the lunch lady's rolling pin. He wasn't smushed by an avalanche of library books. He was just flat. And most of the time, Flat Cat liked it just like that. 

Until one day, when Flat Cat, in the mood for a change of scenery, slips into his friend Willow's backpack and accompanies her to school, where he gets folded into a paper airplane, passed as a secret note, and used as a bathroom pass. Will Flat Cat be able to escape the chaos? Or will he realize he is keen to be loved and adored?

From acclaimed author Tara Lazar and brought to life by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald, this is a hilariously quirky and irreverent story that is sure to appeal to fans of Pete the Cat!

Praise for Flat Cat:

*"This amusing picture book is fun for reading aloud." --Booklist (starred review) on Flat Cat

"Whimsy, wonder, and wacky humor in just the right proportions." --GeekMom on Flat Cat

"An amusing and memorable story for cat ­lovers." --School Library Journal on Flat Cat: The Class Pet

"Perfect for cat lovers who wonder how their feline escape artists seemingly walk through doors." --BCCB on Flat Cat

Author

TARA LAZAR taught herself to juggle at age ten in hopes of launching a career as a clown. Instead, she was voted class clown in school. Eventually she decided that writing silly stories like The MonstoreLittle Red Gliding Hood and most recently, 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story, was better than riding silly unicycles. Tara lives in New Jersey with her acrobatic daughters, strongman husband and hoop-jumping hamster. View titles by Tara Lazar
Pete Oswald is the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Sour Grape, The Smart Cookie, The Couch Potato, The Cool Bean, The Good Egg, and The Bad Seed, all written by Jory John. Pete's authorial debut, Hike, was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. He is also the illustrator of Sleepy Sheepy, written by Lucy Ruth Cummins; Flat Cat, written by Tara Lazar; and the indie bestsellers The Attack of the Underwear Dragon, and The Return of the Underwear Dragon, written by Scott Rothman. In addition to making picture books, he works on numerous highly successful animated franchises as a character designer, concept artist, and production designer. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons. View titles by Pete Oswald

Praise

"Flat Cat’s adventures are amusing—he’s a paper airplane, a secret note, a bathroom pass—but like the message in Jeff Brown's Flat Stanley, this shows Flat Cat’s willingness to go with the flow and help out a friend in need. An amusing and memorable story for cat ­lovers."--School Library Journal

Photos

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