Cat's Christmas

by Alison Murray

The world's most loveable grumpy cat learns to love Christmas in this funny story, for fans of Grumpy Monkey.

Meet Cat, an adorable grumpy cat who thinks Christmas is the worst!

Cat hates the food. He hates the silly presents. And he hates the noisy visitors stealing his favorite spot.

But when Cat looks up at the beautiful night sky, he starts to think that maybe . . . Christmas isn't ALL bad. And just maybe, the magic of Christmas can melt this grouchy cat's cold heart.

This purrfectly heartwarming book will make you fall in love with the festive season all over again!

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Cats, Holiday, Childrens, Animals, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

Alison Murray studied textile and interactive media design. After graduating, she moved to London where she did a variety of jobs, including selling books and designing rugs, before cofounding a successful interactive media company. She now mainly works as an illustrator and author of picture books, but still dabbles with interactive media and web design. She has published several books, including Hickory Dickory Dog. Alison Murray lives in Scotland with her family.

Reviews

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat is my new fictional hero. Like Cat, I hate the decorations, the fuss, the presents …though I do like some of the food. And I am sure, if he thought about it, he would hate the rampant consumerism, extreme waste, and fake bonhomie as well.
But, he discovers that he hates the rain more.
I love the illustrations, especially the expressions on Cat’s face.
Despite what it says on the back cover, I doubt that Cat learns what Christmas is really about. But then, I don’t think many people do remember anymore.
Bah Humbug!
Definitely recommended. I will be gifting this to my great-nieces this Christmas!
And yes, I am a hypocrite – but book presents are a necessity.

Unfortunately, as I post this, the cover is not up on Goodreads, so you miss the first picture of Cat.
Also, the publication date is written as 1st November 2025, whereas in UK at least, it came out on 11 September 2025 - I have a physical copy purchased.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needed a kids staff pick for December so I picked this up! So cute anything with cats is a win!

[Joey Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury Children’s Books and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Cat doesn’t like Christmas, he hates everything about it. When he tries to tell his family all the bad things about Christmas, it just lands him in trouble and causes chaos.

What a hilarious picture book, I really enjoyed this, it was so adorable and summoned up a Cat perfectly. He played with everything in sight, only to him he was communicating that it was bad. He just caused so much trouble for his family, making him have a bad time out in the awful weather. It was a really funny book though and I liked following Cat on his antics.

It comes with really lovely illustrations, loved the colour choices throughout the book, I liked the way that Cat was captured and all that he was doing. I think this a really great hilarious book for the holiday season, it’s one young readers would really enjoy.

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book stars a cat who hates Christmas for various reasons, such as "the surprise visitors who come to stay. Especially when they make themselves at home in Cat's favorite place." The illustration shows a dog getting snuggles with a girl on a comfy chair. "Cat tries to tell them its not about the food or the presents . . . or the fancy decorations . . . but no one wants to hear." Cat has knocked over the tree and is sent outside! He briefly "marvels at the beauty of the world" but then it starts to rain, which he hates, so he returns home. The girl asks where he has been and gives him a gift, which he seemingly hates, but "he LOVES his new favorite place!" The illustration shows Cat in the gift box, which the girl is holding. Somewhat cute but not my favorite book for the season. I wouldn't buy it.

[FaithfulReviewer (Jacqueline) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) | Bloomsbury Children's Books, the author and NetGalley for a DRC in return for an honest review

This is a sweet little book for children aged 0-5 years. Very short story accompanied by some lovely colourful quirky illustrations. Would make a nice little stocking filler this Christmas for any little ones you know.

Disappointingly short - the blurb is actually longer than the book itself and practically states most of the story anyway! Bit expensive for such a short book - RRP £11.45 - HB £7.85 PB - £6.39 Kindle. I would suggest borrowing from a library instead.

#CatsChristmas #NetGalley

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cat doesn't like Christmas.

It's Christmas, and Cat dislikes the food, decorations, visitors, or presents. When Cat goes outside in a bad mood, the sight of the beautiful night sky lifts his spirits.

The illustrations were done in mixed media and digital collage.

Readers may also enjoy Grumpy Cat's First Worst Christmas (Grumpy Cat).

[Kimia Domire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the way the cat protagonist of the story expresses himself like how you'd imagine a cat to express itself if it could talk.

Grumpy, territorial, hates the wet and cold of the outside, but is too petty to share his home with others, so out he goes, only to shamefully have to return. Full of grump and sass.

A useful attitude to be able to know and make humorous, I appreciate what it does for a child reader. Grumpiness is not tragic.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Cat is not a fan of Christmas. He doesn't like the food, the decorations, or visitors. Fed up, he leaves the house to climb a tall tree and marvels at the beauty of the night sky until it begins to rain. He returns home and finds a new place to sit.

Comments: Who doesn't love a Scrooge or a Grinch around Christmas time? This grumpy character comes around and finds something positive.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Jaq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing and Netgalley for my arc copy.
I adored this, it was such an easy book for kids to follow and the illustrations have so much in them there is always something to spot in it. I would highly recommend this as a festive christmas read for young kids this holiday season.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't like a grumpy cat showing up to ruin Christmas vibes? Except this cat is sly and silly and wise and wonderful. Read it and see if you agree! Would be fun to share with littles in a storytime or lapsit. The bright red & vintage vibe colors add a layer of nostalgia and wonder.

Themes: Christmas, cats
Ages: preK-2nd grade
Pub year: 2025

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a great little book and a fun story.
The book has some really cute illustrations and they are perfect for the story.

It was easy to follow and understand and I loved the layout.
My daughter read it with ease and enjoyed it.

It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

[Lily Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

LOL so cute, Cat is a mood. I, too, possess drama of such intensity.
(I thought this was just a random proof on our staff room table, turns out I just temporarily nicked Sandra’s copy lmao sorry girl 😭)

[Laura Hook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cat's expressions and attitude in this book are perfect and hilarious!

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

The grumpy cat illustrations are great!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artist did not consider that this book would be read in low light when they made the print green and red on a dark dark background. Even in decent light this book was almost unreadable

[Jacaranda21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it.
The Christmas tree chaos if you have cat!
Fun, good for KS1 as requires inference.

[Vita Tatarinova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apie katę, kuriai nepatinka Kalėdos.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh loved this
Cat hates Christmas
......but loves the cardboard box his stupid present came in


Pressie for Sukey Ollie, Charles, Camilla and Eddie! Oh and Henry xx

[C2015 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. The story was cute. Pictures and artwork was wonderful and the end was purrrfect

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love cats, and generally speaking don't experience them as grumpy. I did like the end. Cat in a box. That's classic.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and cosy look at Christmas from a cat's perspective!

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat is grumpy- he just doesn’t like Christmas: the food; the noise and visitors that disturb him … he is one unhappy cat..until he finds himself outside in the cold and wet and learns a lesson when the clouds part for a moment.

Alison Murray has written and illustrated a wonderful book for the under fives - images that leap out conveying the moodiness of cat and pitch perfect prose.By the end of the book, cat becomes adorably cute.

A lovely bed time or anytime read and great for a nursery or EYS class story time…plenty to talk about

A perfect Christmas story and gift

Highly recommended

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this cranky, Christmas-hating feline!