Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: Cat Out of Water: A Cat in the Hat Story

Dr. Seuss Graphic Novels

by Art Baltazar

Discover Dr. Seuss’s whimsical world like never before in this colorful graphic novel companion to The Cat in the Hat ! With all-new illustrations and easy-to-read paneled storytelling, this is the perfect next step for beginner readers transitioning to chapter books!

It’s a normal day with normal chores for Sally and her brother…until everything turns topsy-turvy when the Cat in the Hat arrives! With a whirlwind of fun, and the hilarious but chaotic antics of Thing 1 and Thing 2, the day promises to be anything but boring. Yet Sally’s wise pet, the Fish, warns them about letting the Cat stay. The question Can they wrap up their tasks before their parents return, or will the Cat’s zany escapades throw them off course?

With brand-new illustrations and easy-to-follow paneled storytelling, this graphic novel is an excellent bridge for kids transitioning to chapter books. A perfect must-have for young readers and Dr. Seuss fans alike.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens, Humor, Juvenile, Animals, Comics

80 pages, Hardcover

Published April 30, 2024

About the author

Arthee "Art" Baltazar is an American comics artist and writer who currently works for DC Comics.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Children's Graphic Novel. This book is cute and fun to read. This book is fast paced with a ton of fun and cute things. I really loved the fish character. The pictures are bright and make the story come to life. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Stephanie Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute graphic novel of a cat in the hat story and exactly what I would think Dr. Seuss would have written. The Cat in the Hat gets up to mischief as usual this time making the house into a giant pool for the fish to be able to play with everyone and while he promised not to make a mess again he for sure did. The illustrations were great and this was a fun fast read.

Thanks to Random House Graphic and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun Dr. Seuss style graphic novel. I really enjoyed the shenanigans of the Cat. This graphic novel is a little different in that the mess is put to rights at the end. Thing 1 and Thing 2 make fun appearance in this novel.

[tony dillard jr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cat in the Hat is back in an all-new adventure. The first of two Dr. Seuss Graphic Novels by RH Graphic, the beloved feline who doffs a candy stripes chapeau returns to make another boring day tons more fun for Sally and her brother Conrad. Seeing that disapproving family pet Fish is living inside a tiny little fish bowl, Cat decides to turn the entire house into one gigantic aquarium! With the help of Things 1 & 2, Cat will flood Sally and Conrad's home all for the sake of merriment. But don't worry! He's got a plan for getting the house back ship shape before mom and dad get home!

Tiny Titans' co-creator Art Baltazar goes solo in this 2024 graphic novel in a way only he can execute. Cat Out of Water is full of joy, fun and absolute devotion to the source material. Just don't blame me that the level of awesomeness is ramped up to 11!

Though I know that this book is brand new, I was a tiny bit confused as to whether this story was a continuation of the original books by Dr. Seuss or a reboot. Though Fish and the kids know Cat, he introduces Things 1 & 2 to the residents of the house. Is this just because of the flare in which Cat does everything? Or does this occur at a time when Sally and Conrad haven't met those candy floss haired associates of Cat's? It's not really made clear.

For all you purists out there, this is an officially licensed graphic novel by the Dr. Seuss estate. A very fast read that captures the spirit of the Cat in the Hat very well with one glaring exception. Unlike an original Dr. Seuss book, there's no rhymes! No rhymes, at all!

If the young readers in your life enjoy this graphic novel recommended on Amazon for readers ages 5-8, then be sure to check out the second brand new Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes A Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

True confession: I've never been a fan of the original Cat in the Hat. While I have fun reading the words and enjoying the rhyme scheme, there is something about his behavior and that of Thing One and Thing Two that makes me just as nervous as Fish in this particular story. As a child, I could just never have imagined being as out of control and prone to breaking rules as the Cat in the Hat. Nope. Not in my parents' house. The very idea of filling the house with water so that it provides a large pool for Fish and the two youngsters makes me nervous because I know there'd be consequences for those actions. Cartoonist Art Baltazar effectively channels the spirit of Dr. Seuss and that zany Cat in the Hat here, and youngsters will enjoy all the splashing and bubbles, for sure. But as for me, no, it all makes me too nervous to even contemplate. And the cleanup!

[The Keepers of the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally and her brother are enduring a normal afternoon of chores when the Cat in the Hat comes for a visit! The Fish (Sally’s pet) is less than enthusiastic to welcome the Cat. Of course, the Cat decides that Thing 1 and Thing 2 are the perfect companions to help with the boring tasks. Can they manage to clean the house before their parents return? Or, will the Cat finally manage to cause an irreversible catastrophe?

A simple graphic novel with clear panels that is perfect for readers who are ready to move to chapter books and graphic novels. The familiar characters and antics will appeal to young readers. 4 stars, Grades 1-3.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute graphic novel that still maintains the fun and charm of the original picture book. The rhyming scheme is, unfortunately, mostly gone, but I didn't mind. It was almost refreshing to do without it, though I can see some readers taking issue with its absence.

I'm also normally not a big fan of Baltazar's art style, but it worked here. It suited Cat, Fish, Thing 1, and Thing 2 quite well. And given the "How to Draw" section in the back, I guess there is something to be said for simple character designs. It's helpful for the kiddos who may wanna draw them and perhaps even use them to jumpstart their own art careers.

I'd definitely love to read more Seuss graphic novels in the future. (I believe there's already two more out now! I'll be sure to check them out soon.)

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat in the Hat and his friends Thing 1 and Thing 2 are back again to bring chaos and fun to the lives of Sally and her brother Conrad. This graphic novel is the perfect length for young readers and with beautifully illustrated pages will be sure to keep them engaged. I like how every Dr. Seuss story, there is fun and madness but also a happy ending.

Thank you RH Graphic for gifting me an ARC to review.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's through NetGalley.
Some will appreciate this restyled Cat in the Hat more than I did. The artwork felt clunky, and, yes, that is a deliberate style. The storyline was rough but younger readers will appreciate the humor. Baltazar is an incredibly talented writer/artist but this felt like a poor mesh with Dr. Seuss's iconic character.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairly fun, fairly quick read. As it is a graphic novel, kids don't have to be able to read all of the words to get the context. It's a silly story about a mischievous cat, his accomplices Thing 1 and Thing 2, two fun-loving kids, and a very anxious fish. We read this as a parent read-aloud with a 6-year-old, but a 7 or 8-year-old may enjoy it independently.

"I like how they flooded the house and pretended to be fish." Bear, age 6. "It's funny how they pop out of the chimney."

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute and refreshing (in terms of artwork, not content) graphic novel of the antics of the Cat in the Hat. I personally do not like Cat in The Hat due to he lacking boundaries and being overall sketchy in character (as in a character who says it's ok for him to come and play when mother is out, seems pretty sketchy). But, I'm also an adult reading it. I cannot recall if I enjoyed his antics as a child. Regardless, setting my reservations aside, the graphic novel version is unique.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cat in the Hat is back in this new graphic novel format for young readers. In this story, the Cat engages in a series of events to play with water in the house of his friends. The novel has a lot of action as the house is filled with water and related activities ensue. The clean-up is also filled with action as everyone tries to get the house back in order. Illustrator Baltazar shows readers how to draw the characters in the book in some final pages of explanation.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art Baltazar’s illustrations are cute and the adventure he illustrates is very funny. The panels and dialogue are easy to follow and readers will relate to The Fish and his fears about the havoc that The Cat can perpetrate. Young readers could find Cat out of water a transition to chapter books, while younger children will be happy to follow the fun when it is read aloud. They are sure to want to read the second in the series The Grinch Takes A Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

👦🏻 reviews: this Dr Seuss graphic novel is absolutely funny book. Who could resist a graphic novel especially Dr Seuss is the main character. The chaos, the dialogues and Thing 1 and 2 are the highlights in this graphic novel. For me reading this after coming home from school is a stress reliever. I needed the laugh and easy read! Love it!!!

[Randy Lander · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy successor to the Cat in the Hat stories by the always awesome Art Baltazar, funny and fun in the Dog Man vein, complete with how to draw pages in the back. Looks like a winner for kids comic sections everywhere.

[David Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted something fun to read on my break but this wasn’t it.

Pros:
Artwork is fun, with a nice simple panel layout.

Cons:
Plot is a sequel but exactly the same story as the original.
Lacks the humour, whimsy and rhyming dialogue of the original.

[Mama Bearian · Rating 2 out of 5]

My son enjoyed this one but I wish it had kept some of the rhyming structure reminiscent of Seuss. There wasn’t a rhyme to be found, which made it seem a little strange. Illustrations were cute and the story seemed like a good continuation of the original.

[adri♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read ARC, would’ve loved this as a kid so cute and fun

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was REALLY hoping I would like this more than I did. But I didn't.

Still, kind of fun.

[Julie Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will appeal to graphic novel lovers - especially younger readers who want to jump in and Cat in the Hat is a familiar character. To me the story was just okay though.

[Kai-Ling]

L

[PottWab Regional Library]

A

[Fatal Error · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is weak and I think it's a little short, but I love the art style and thought this was a very fun read!

[Sarah Murphy Traylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not great :/

[Arman Waggoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the World of Dr. Seuss and the characters in Graphic Novel form. Nice to see them out and About. I also like the art of Art Baltazar.

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not great. It was an extremely quick read. There was really no plot except for the Cat making a mess of things and Fish disapproving.