Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat - Award-Winning Children's Book for Ages 4-8

About the Book

What would you do if the tricks you played caused you to lose all your friends? In this heartwarming tale, the rat called Cat and his friend Panda Pat travel from Panda Peak to the big city to get cheese but end up in the middle of a road race.

Cat is determined to win the race, but in the whirlwind of competition, things go awry. His tricks and boastful words begin to push away everyone around him. In this powerful story of redemption, Cat learns how his words have affected others and discovers the true meaning of humility and respect.

Through vibrant illustrations and engaging storytelling, young readers will join Panda Pat and Cat on their adventure, learning valuable lessons about:

The importance of friendship and loyalty
How our words and actions affect others
The power of humility and saying sorry
Treating others with respect and kindness
Making things right when we make mistakes

The Story Behind the Story

Lifelong educator Neil Ballard kept the manuscript for this short story in his desk for over 25 years. His hope was that someday he would make his first children's book from this story.

Upon his second retirement from teaching and with the encouragement of his children, he finally brought Panda Pat and Cat's adventure to life. The story draws inspiration from Neil's decades of experience in the classroom, understanding what lessons resonate with young minds.

Artwork by Steven Nosov brings the story to life with clever, vivid illustrations that can be appreciated by children and parents alike. Steven's playful style, inspired by cartoons and video game design, perfectly captures the whimsy and emotion of this timeless tale.

What Readers Are Saying

Reviewed by Amy Louise Hill for Readers' Favorite

"Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat was a pleasure to read. Children are going to love this beautifully-written story by the talented Neil Ballard. The message behind the story is heart-warming and will teach children many lessons, but mainly about being kind and thinking before you do something, as every action can have consequences."
"The illustrations by Steven Nosov are highly professional and will attract the attention of any young reader. I recommend this book to anyone with children and I wish both Neil and Steven all the best. I hope to see them work together again in the future."

Perfect For

Families

Bedtime read-alouds
Family story time
Teaching moments about friendship
Early reader practice

Educators

Classroom read-alouds
Character education lessons
Social-emotional learning
Reading comprehension activities

Gift Givers

Birthday presents
Holiday gifts
Back-to-school books
Award-winning quality

Librarians

Early reader collections
Character education themes
Award-winning titles
Diverse illustrations

Discussion Questions for Parents & Teachers

Why do you think Cat wanted to win the race so badly? Have you ever wanted something really badly?
How did Cat's words make his friends feel? Can you think of a time when someone's words hurt your feelings?
What does it mean to be humble? How did Cat learn humility?
Why is Panda Pat such a good friend? What makes someone a good friend?
What lesson do you think Cat learned from this adventure?
If you were Panda Pat, how would you have helped your friend Cat?
What can we do when we realize our words or actions have hurt someone?

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat suitable for?

Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat is perfect for children ages 4-8. It works wonderfully as a read-aloud for younger children (ages 4-6) and as an early reader for children ages 7-8.

What lessons does Panda Pat teach children?

The book teaches children about friendship, humility, respect, and how our words affect others. It's a redemption story showing that it's never too late to make things right and apologize when we've hurt someone.

Is Panda Pat an award-winning book?

Yes, Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat won the 2020 Story Monsters Approved Award for School Life Category and received a 5-star review from Readers' Favorite.

Where can I buy Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat?

Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat is available in paperback ($9.99), hardcover ($14.99), and eBook ($2.99) formats from Shopify, BookBaby, and Apple Books.

Are there free teaching resources for Panda Pat?

Yes! Free printable resources including coloring pages, word searches, crossword puzzles, discussion questions, and reading guides are available on our resources page.

Who wrote Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat?

Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat was written by Neil Ballard, a retired educator with decades of teaching experience, and illustrated by Steven Nosov. Neil kept the manuscript in his desk for 25 years before finally publishing it upon retirement.