Betweenhisopeninggreetingandthebookendclosingpageonwhichhestalksawayaftertakingnoquestions,Gatowantstomakeonethingperfectlyclear:Althoughhehasfourlegs,twoears,andalong,longtail,theword“cat“doesnotdefinehim.Hisidentityishisalonetodescribeanddetermine.WiththehelpofDanicaNovgorodoff’slaugh-out-loudillustrations,hetakesusonatourofhisadventures,accomplishments,anddailyactivitiesthatmakesmincemeatofourfirstimpressions.Hewearsasweaterandaleash,soisheadog?Herunsinpastures,soisheahorse?Helikesflowers,soisheabee?Heswims,soisheaduck?Hehasflowninairplanesandriddeninsubways,soisheaperson?Maybehe’sallthosethings,butwhathetrulyis,hewantsustoknow,isGato.Tounderlinethestory’smessageofempowermentandself-identity,thebackcoverandbackmatterincludephotosoftherealGato(WinterMiller’scat)doingeverythingheclaimsandmore.Signsonwalls,headlinesinnewspapers,NewYorkercartoonhomages,andsightgagsoneverypagerewardrepeatedreadingsandwillmakethisbookthefirstonethatparentsreachforatbedtime.
