# Me and My Cat?

Me and My Cat? is a 1999 children's picture book by Satoshi Kitamura. It is about a boy, Nicholas, who switches bodies with his cat, Leonardo. Nicolas's story (Me and My Cat) appeared in a PBS/PBS Kids show. That is, Between the Lions.

## Plot

Ten year old Nicholas does not want to go to school. One night, a witch appears in Nicholas's bedroom. She brandishes her broom, says magic words, and leaves without even saying goodbye. The next morning, Nicholas's mom comes in to tell him he should get up or he might be late for school. She drags him out of bed and into the bathroom and makes him wash and dress, but is unaware that Nicholas and his cat Leonardo have swapped bodies and positions. At breakfast time, his mother interrupts his breakfast (Nicholas was eating Leonardo's cat food.) Nicholas realizes he and his cat, Leonardo, have switched bodies.
As a result, Nicholas goes to school, but remains at home. Because Nicholas and Leonardo swapped bodies, Nicholas is not using his regular schedule.
Nicholas's mom looks at Nicholas nervously. She gets worried and sees that something is wrong with her son. At first, she is worried/nervous, but then turns into an outrage. Because she is concerned about Nicholas's schedule. That is, since he is acting like a cat and not a person. She calls the doctor and asks him to "come at once". After examining Nicholas, the doctor concludes that Nicholas "is just a little overtired", and recommends sending him to bed early. Nicholas's mom is still very upset and worried. She hugs Nicholas (in Leonardo's body), who begins to purr. Then Leonardo (in Nicholas's body) begins to purr as well.
The witch returns to Nicholas's room, apologizes, and says she "had the wrong address". She brandishes her broom at Nicholas and Leonardo, says magic words, and leaves without saying goodnight. In the morning, Nicholas's mom wakes him up, and he realizes he has been returned to his own body.
Everything is back to normal, and Nicholas is able to wake up on a regular schedule. He gets dressed, follows his morning schedule, eats his breakfast, and goes to school.
At school, it is revealed that Nicholas's teacher, Mr. McGough, has switched bodies with his own cat. Nicholas reveals that Mr. McGough "scratched himself, licked his shirt, and fell asleep for the rest of the school day".

## Reception

In a review, the New York Times wrote "Kitamura's art resembles the animation seen on the Cartoon Network, edgy and angular, a style that becomes a barrier to the artist's intent when the plan is to depict the smooth, springy suppleness of cats. And that -- evoking memories of familiar feline postures for the sake of a laugh -- is what this book is all about. Still, many children will no doubt respond with laugh-track chuckles, especially to the sight of a boy squatting in a litter box. My test audience -- that is, my inner 6-year-old -- obviously did not." while Kirkus Reviews calls it "Silly good fun." and Publishers Weekly wrote "this latest by Kitamura spotlights an offbeat sense of humor and a flair for comic-book layout."
It has also been reviewed by Booklist, the School Library Journal, and The Horn Book Magazine.

## Awards and nominations

* Kurt Maschler Award - nominated
* 2000 Silver Smarties Book Award - won

## Adaptations

Me and My Cat? has been adapted for the stage.