“It’s not that I can’t be bothered… I’m just feeling sad at the moment. All I want to do is 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.”

What an adorable book! Now, I can’t see a book with a cat on it and just pass by; even if it’s a 22-page children’s book, let alone a book with a cat that couldn’t be bothered just like myself right now!
Such a gorgeous book with a very, very important message for children. Very clearly and gently delivered, this book shows kids a glimpse of what a mental health struggle is and what the signs could look like in people around us or even in one's self and that it is okay if you don't feel good all the time. It is also okay to talk about it!

“Sometimes I feel like all I want to do is nothing too. Can we do nothing with you too, Greg?”

This little book carries a high value message and I love it. The illustrations are also really cute; I might end up getting a tattoo of Gareth, the cat that couldn’t be bothered. He’s such a mood!

Thank you so much, 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆, Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, and author/illustrator Jack Kurland for providing this digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes, all it takes is a question to bring together a group of friends. Sometimes it just takes a second to be understood. And in the end, there is friendship all around.

This book is so quirky with a great message for children and grown up children alike . I absolutely loved the illustrations and the variations in them . The monotone colours of ' Greg' being alone to the vibrant jump from the page colours of his friends on their escapades whether it was exploring or at the party . There is beauty in the acknowledgement that sometimes it's okay to be sad and not to want to do anything as long as you let people in and you are not alone. Also no spoilers but I love the last page twist . A lovely engaging story that should be read in all primary schools

I can see little kids enjoying this book. It is predictable and I loved the little twist of his name at the end.

i liked the art and how greg’s imagination was illustrated - very colourful and vivid images. they contrasted nicely with the rest of the pages and what greg was saying to the other animals. the ending and the plot-twist made me laugh out loud. this is a book that kids will enjoy but it’ll also make an adult smile and not feel bad when they just want to lie about and do nothing. it’s relatable.

Sometimes 'Greg' just can't be bothered and do you know what, that is okay.

'Greg' the cat feels sad, he doesn't want to go out dancing, exploring, skating or partying but when he tells his friends that he can't be bothered, they keep asking him to do something different. Finally, when he is honest about his feelings and explains that it isn't that he doesn't want to join in, it is that he is so sad that he simply can't, his friends give him space to feel his emotion and join him in lying still and doing nothing together.

We are raising our children in a world where there is an expectation to put only the best side of themselves out there. With huge social media pressure coming from the seemingly perfect lives of others, it is so important that we hold space for our children, and they learn to do the same for their peers, allowing them to feel sad and quite simply not be okay whilst supporting them as needed. When we do this, they can engage with us when they are ready and without expectation or pressure to perform.

A great, light-hearted and well illustrated picture book supporting SEMH dialogue, emotional literacy and the roles which friendship and understanding can play in helping those who are struggling. We read this with children aged 4-7.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing / Frances Lincoln Children's Books for sending us this eBook for review consideration. All opinions are our own.

This is a book that took a turn that I didn't expect

The book is about a cat who can't be bothered to do anything even though his friends invite him to do stuff

But really, he mentions how sometimes he just doesn't want to do stuff and feels like doing nothing. The cat is depressed but his friends still try to include him, until he says he just wants to do nothing, and then his friends decide to do nothing too

A simple book about talking about your feelings, being honest with yourself and others

A quirky and heart-warming tale for both kids and adults. I loved both the gentle empathy and the charming, whimsical illustrations. The book's endearing message lands softly and with a proper sense of fun – to me, that's one of the best things about good kid's books! This is a great pick-me-up, warm hug of a book that I'm sure will soon be a classroom favourite!

I am the cat. The cat is me.

“I can’t be bothered.”

The cat been asked to participate in adventures, near and far, and every time he says he doesn’t want to. Finally, a friend talks to the cat and finds out why they can’t be bothered. Sometimes we’re sad and even being invited on an adventure isn’t what we need.

I love that this book encourages readers to acknowledge their feelings and not hide them from the people who care about them. By being open about what they’re feeling, the cat’s friends are given the opportunity to offer support.

I really enjoyed the illustrations. The cat is black and white, while his friends are brightly coloured. My favourite illustration featured cat-stronauts and martians.

As someone who is often overwhelmed by the pace of life that we’re all expected to keep up with, I appreciated that this cat reminds us that needing to do absolutely nothing sometimes is okay. I’d argue it’s necessary.

If you need me, I’ll be here doing nothing and not feeling bad about it. You’re welcome to join me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, for the opportunity to read this picture book.

A fun book for cat lovers! Sometimes you want to do nothing and that’s ok! Young animal loves will enjoy this book looking at the bright colorful pictures!

In his inaugural work, The Cat Who Couldn’t Be Bothered, Jack Kurland introduces readers to Greg, a cat with a reluctance for excitement. Amidst the persistent invitations from his lively and colorful companions for various adventures, Greg remains indifferent. Undeterred, an astronaut cat finally asks him what he would like to do. The ensuing exchange reveals that Greg is not disinterested, but rather, he is grappling with a sense of sadness and desire for inactivity. In a heartwarming turn of events, Greg’s friends, having experienced similar emotions, decided to embrace doing nothing together.

Kurland’s narrative unfolds against the backdrop of vibrant illustrations that will captivate young readers with the charm of the quirky cat and his lively friends. Beyond its visual appeal, the book offers a simple yet profound exploration of themes such as friendship, emotions, and empathy. Adults will appreciate the subtle complexity woven into the narrative, making it an ideal choice for shared reading experiences with children ranging from 2-year-olds to those in Kindergarten.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am Gareth, Gareth is me. I never thought I would relate to a comic cat as much as I did. Not having any energy to join in with anything but at the same time kin of letting the people around you down. You don't mean to but you just simply don't have the energy because you're sad or something is happening in your life. Not only was the art style so simple and fun at the same time. It didn't scream and take your attention away from the main story. I really loved the last page, it made me laugh even though I still felt bad for him in the end. Even though they kind of found a solution together. This was a very cute read!

This quick flip book cut to my heart when I definitely was not expecting it. Speaking truth about how outward appearances may not match inner feelings, and showing how important it is to check in on your friends - gah! It was such a good little read.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. The illustrations are stunning, simple, and elegant. The book delivers a nice message about it being okay to feel lethargic and down, hinting at the cat having depression. I really like the idea of sharing this idea with children as validation of their feelings is often forgotten about. However, with just one sentence per page, the message might be a bit too advanced for the target age. Overall, I thought this was a lovely book.

I was immediately drawn to this clever picture book because I, too, had a cat who couldn’t be bothered. Amusingly, so. As Miyabi (a.k.a. Mr. Bitey) aged, he only went through the motions when batting a mouse or pawing a string. Like Greg, the cat in this book, Miyabi was on the heavy side.

One reason Greg refuses to participate is because he fears the worst in every outing. But he also admits that he’s depressed and just wants to do nothing. His forest friends reassure Greg that doing nothing when you feel sad is perfectly normal — a wonderful message for young people who’ve experienced grief. And I won’t ruin the book by revealing the surprise on the very last page. Author Jack Kurland has filled the book with illustrations as fine as the words. Recommended for young and old.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books in exchange for an honest review.

this book really caught my eye when I see the title and its cover. I think it'll contain a good story. and it is!!! it is such a simple story and the introvert cat in this book is even soooo relateable with introvert human. the illustration is so cute and pretty acurate for someone who feels like the cat

This book was exactly what I needed it to be. Short and sweet but completely relatable for any reader.

Hi yes this may be my favourite children's book ever

The illustrations are beautiful, the characters are so cute and very compelling and the story is simple but so important, I can't wait to get a physical copy

I would put up so many of the illustrations on my wall (especially the one in space)

Absolutely loved it, will be recommending it to everyone


Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. This book comes out on January 25th, 2024.

This is an adorable picture book about feeling sad. The illustrations are very simple and really draw in your eyes, as well as the use of color throughout the book. The text is simple and easy to read as well, making it a great book for early readers. It's a very cute story about how sometime it's ok to just feel your feelings. Would highly recommend to parents and cat-lovers alike!

This was adorable! I love the minimalistic art style and the fun text. Poor Gareth just isn't feeling up to doing much, but his friends stand by him to keep him company. A really fun way to explore sadness and emotion, and the kindness of being someone's friend no matter what.