Home › Books for Ages 4–8 › The Mat and the Cat

The Mat and the Cat

by Kelley M. Likes Publisher: INDEPENDENT CAT

A playful early-reader adventure built around the “-at” word family

Regular price $17.06 USD
Regular price $21.33 USD Sale price $17.06 USD
Save 20%

Paperback New

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

A playful early-reader adventure built around the “-at” word family

A mat takes the lead in this humorous beginning-reader story, setting its own unexpected journey in motion. The book uses repeated “-at” sounds and related words—including the cat, rat, and bat named in the premise—to give emerging readers focused phonics practice within a simple imaginative setup. Fifteen included flashcards extend the reading activity beyond the story, supporting word recognition and repetition. Designed for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten use, it pairs a playful object-centered adventure with early decoding practice.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Emerging readers practicing short-a “-at” words
  • Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten read-aloud or independent-reading settings
  • Families and classrooms seeking a humorous phonics-focused story with flashcards

Themes

Early literacyPhonics practiceWord familiesImaginationHumor

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

This funny story starring a mat, not a cat or a rat or a bat, helps kids learn to read. The not-flat mat takes off on a fun trip! Follow along to see where it lands!

 

Perfect for Emergent Readers at home or in the classroom!

 

In The Mat and the Cat, author Kelley M Likes and debut illustrator Lauren Blunck invite children to learn and practice -at words in a groovy kind of way.

 

INCLUDES 15 FLASHCARDS!

 

Kids ages: 4, 5, and 6

Grades: Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten

Lexile Level 110L

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelley M Likes is an award-winning children's author, publisher, and former T6 Certified educator who creates stories that inspire curiosity and kindness, build confidence, creativity, and resilience. Her books range from humorous picture books and beginning readers to social-emotional learning stories that help children navigate real-life challenges.

 

Drawing on her background in business, education, and educational technology, Kelley creates engaging books for children of all ages, from beginning readers and humorous adventures to social-emotional learning stories and imaginative picture books.

 

Her growing catalog includes titles such as Panic and the Happy Thought, The Pumpkin Who Stayed for Christmas, Quest for the Momma Violin, Snout, Ben Wise and the Purple Dragon, and the Mat early reader series.

 

As founder of Likes Publishing, Kelley is dedicated to producing high-quality books that inspire a lifelong love of reading while helping children navigate friendship, emotions, creativity, and personal growth.

 

A mini-stroke survivor, brain tumor host, and lifelong storyteller, Kelley believes books can help children see the world, and themselves, in new ways. When she's not writing, Kelley enjoys encouraging young writers, speaking to students about the publishing process, and helping aspiring authors bring their own stories to life.

 

EDUCATION:

Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Media and Technology

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Business Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration

Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Marketing and Management

 

MEMBER:

SCBWI

Storyteller Academy

The Authors Guild

IBPA Independent Book Publishers Association

Book an Author

Alliance of Independent Authors

 

AUTHOR VISITS

I offer a full day of age-specific presentations for grades 1st to 12th, focused on what it means to be an author & publisher and creating stories.

 

Visits can include: Lunch with students, book signings, contest judging, classroom drop-ins, and individual classroom presentations and discussions.

 

In addition, free lesson plans with projects to extend the visit are included.

 

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Lauren Blunck is a student artist who works both in the illustrating field and in multiple traditional media. In particular, she has assisted with easy reader books, online marketing imagery, small amounts of character design, and some card game design. She mainly uses digital for her illustration work but also specializes in charcoal or acrylic painting realism and is always up to try something new in art.

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.