Illustrated book cover of Bathe the Cat, shows a black family all juggling dishes, a mop, a bowl of goldfish while trying to catch the cat, who sits at the top of the book's title.

Book Recommendation — August 2026

Bathe the Cat

By Alice B. McGinty, author
David Roberts, illustrator

Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 2021

Ages Preschool – 2

Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty is a laugh-out-loud picture book that follows a busy family as they rush to complete chores before Grandma arrives. When the family cat discovers that one of the chores is bathing him, he scrambles the magnetic-letter chore list, leading to a series of hilarious mix-ups such as vacuuming the lawn, sweeping the dishes, and mopping the baby. Filled with playful rhymes, vibrant illustrations, and a warm portrayal of a loving family, the story celebrates teamwork, flexibility, and finding humor when things do not go according to plan. It is an engaging read-aloud that encourages children to laugh, participate, and enjoy the fun of language.