KokoCat, Inside and Out

By Lynda Graham-Barber; Illustrated by Nancy Lane

Book cover titled 'KokoCat, Inside and Out' with a picture of a cat peeking out from behind a blue wall. The authors are Lynda Graham-Barber and Nancy Lane, and there's a round blue and orange badge in the bottom right corner that reads 'Pounce! Purrr! Read! Series.'

KokoCat is a curious and well-loved housecat who’s only ever known the world from behind a window. But one day, temptation strikes—a door opens—and she dashes outside to explore the great unknown.

At first, the adventure is thrilling. But the outside world is louder, scarier, and lonelier than she imagined. As hunger sets in and shadows fall, KokoCat finds herself hiding beneath a trash bin, longing for the warmth, safety, and love she left behind.

A gentle, beautifully told story that helps young readers understand the dangers of outdoor life for pets and the comfort of a caring home.

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  • Cats, Animal Welfare

  • 24 Pages

  • Hardcover, Ebook

  • 5-8 Years

  • Kindergarten - 4th Grade

  • 0940719126

  • 9780940719125

A watercolor painting of a cat with blue eyes looking out a window surrounded by greenery and yellow flowers.

Reviews

  • Kirkus Reviews

    “Inside cat KokoCat finds the outside world dangerous and scary.

    KokoCat loves sunbeams and chattering with birds and squirrels—through the window screens. She’s good at naps and keeping clean, like every well-loved indoor kitty. One morning when the door stays open a bit too long, KokoCat makes a break for what she’s seen beyond her window, and no amount of calling from her human gives her pause…Graham-Barber’s simple tale of an inside cat on the run might not be a bedtime story choice, but it is a solid informational title on pet care for young cat lovers. Lane’s beautiful, bright watercolors depict an amazing array of emotions on the face of the realistic protagonist.

    Young readers will definitely need help with the lengthy “Keeping Your Cat Safe” afterword, but it only serves to make this an even more valuable title.”

  • Booklist

    “The debate over whether domestic cats should be allowed to roam outside has made it into picture books—or at least half of it has...An afterword spells out what the book has suggested through terse text and realistic paintings, offering convincing arguments for keeping cats indoors for the safety of both songbirds and the cats themselves.”

  • Kat Albrecht (Pet Detective and Founder of the Missing Animal Response Network)

    “If any lost cat deserves to be found (and of course they all do), it is KokoCat. I love the artwork and the details about KokoCat’s personality. Follow her outdoor adventure and learn why it is better to be inside than out.”

  • Libby Phillips Meggs (Author of "Go Home!: The True Story of James the Cat")

    “This book should be required reading for all cat owners! Lynda Graham-Barber's careful, direct words combine with Nancy Lane's beautiful, realistic illustrations to present a vivid picture of the comfort and security of an indoor cat, contrasted with the frightening, life-threatening dangers faced outdoors. KokoCat, Inside and Out gets across an important message without "preaching," in a manner that will appeal to all ages of cat lovers as well as to the uninitiated. An important book with a vital point!”

An illustration of a relaxed domestic cat lying on its back on a bed, stretching with eyes closed.
A brown cat with blue eyes looking out a window at a squirrel on a patio table. The scene is outdoors with trees, a car, and a house in the background. The cat is perched on a yellow surface inside the house.
A watercolor illustration of a cat named Koko stretching and grooming on a pink cushion with her name embroidered, next to a toy mouse with feathers. There are also two blue-striped bowls behind her.
A cat runs outside a house, chasing a small mouse on a leash held by a person whose legs are visible. The person is barefoot and standing on a wooden floor, with a blue wall on one side and green grass visible outside.
Two watercolor illustrations featuring a cat. The left image shows a cat reaching upward at a bird flying away, with the caption "She lunges at a bird... but the bird flies off." The right image shows a thirsty cat lap water from a dark puddle, with
A sleeping ginger cat curled up on a gravel surface with a soft, pastel-colored artistic filter. There is a poem in the lower left corner that reads: "Finally she falls asleep. KokoCat dreams about her food bowl, her warm window seat, her soft spot o
An illustrated cat with blue eyes looks out of a wooden window, surrounded by green grass and yellow flowers, with text on the image that says, 'KokoCat, Ko—Ko, where are you?' The scene is peaceful and natural.