Flat Cat: The Class Pet

From the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Big Cheese, Pete Oswald, and critically acclaimed author of 7 Ate 9 and Bloop, Tara Lazar, comes a back-to-school adventure for Flat Cat!

Flat Cat was born flat. He wasn't squashed under the lunch lady's rolling pin. He wasn't smushed by an avalanche of library books. He was just flat. And most of the time, Flat Cat liked it just like that.

Until one day, when Flat Cat, in the mood for a change of scenery, slips into his friend Willow's backpack and accompanies her to school, where he gets folded into a paper airplane, passed as a secret note, and used as a bathroom pass. Will Flat Cat be able to escape the chaos? Or will he realize he is keen to be loved and adored?

From acclaimed author Tara Lazar and brought to life by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald, this is a hilariously quirky and irreverent story that is sure to appeal to fans of Pete the Cat!

Praise for Flat Cat:

*"This amusing picture book is fun for reading aloud." --Booklist (starred review) on Flat Cat

"Whimsy, wonder, and wacky humor in just the right proportions." --GeekMom on Flat Cat

"An amusing and memorable story for cat ­lovers." --School Library Journal on Flat Cat: The Class Pet

"Perfect for cat lovers who wonder how their feline escape artists seemingly walk through doors." --BCCB on Flat Cat

Author: Tara Lazar
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Published: 06/17/2025
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 11.10h x 8.80w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780593404607
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2025
School Library Journal 05/01/2025 pg. 116

About the Author
Tara Lazar finds it fabulous to be foolish about felines. She opened the door to a cat mewling, offered the stray a can of tuna, and the cat never left. She is the author of 7 Ate 9, The Monstore, Bloop, and more. You can find them all--Tara, her husband, two daughters, and a black cat--somewhere in New Jersey. You can visit Tara Lazar online at TaraLazar.com.

Pete Oswald is the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Big Cheese, The Sour Grape, The Smart Cookie, The Couch Potato, The Cool Bean, The Good Egg, and The Bad Seed, all written by Jory John. Pete's authorial debut, Hike, was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. He is also the illustrator of Sleepy Sheepy and Sleepy Sheepy and the Sheepover, written by Lucy Ruth Cummins, Flat Cat written by Tara Lazar, and the indie bestsellers The Attack of the Underwear Dragon and The Return of the Underwear Dragon, written by Scott Roth­man. In addition to making picture books, he works on numerous highly success­ful animated franchises as a character designer, concept artist, and production designer. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons. You can visit Pete Oswald online at PeteOswald.com.