How to Give Your Cat a Bath in Five Easy Steps
Written by Nicola Winstanley, Illustrated by John Martz

Publisher’s Summary:
A little girl and her cat make an escalating mess while respectively trying to follow and resist the cat-bathing instructions of a bossy narrator.

Primary Source Pairing:
Those who love cats will find this book purrfect. Those who love cats will also know that cats usually get exactly what they want, and the cat in this book is no exception. Readers will enjoy following the action in the illustrations and observing that the cat is always one step ahead of her human. Encourage students to consider whether the text and the illustrations match in this book. How does the mismatch of the text and illustrations contribute to the reading experience?

For this primary source pairing, create a sequencing activity for students. Invite students to use a template to create a how to list of their own. Depending on the learning environment and age of the students, lead this activity on a shared screen, use a document camera, or share the Google Doc link included below. Ideas for how to lists could include making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, brushing teeth, making a bed, or building a snowman. Share and post these lists as the learning environment allows.

Questions for Discussion:

• Do the text and the illustrations match in this book?
• What visual evidence can you cite to support your answer?
• What did you notice about the cat in the illustration of this book?
• How is the sequence of the “five easy steps” an important part of this story?

Credits:
Book Cover and Summary: Follett
How To List Template: Created by JMarek
How To List Template with Lines: Created by JMarek