Grade PreK–2Imagination & Rest

Cat Nap

Written by Brian Lies

Illustrated by Brian Lies

When a cat curls up for a nap, the real adventure begins. With lush, dreamlike illustrations and Brian Lies's signature warmth and wit, Cat Nap invites young readers into the secret world of a sleeping cat's imagination — a place where anything is possible and every dream is an adventure waiting to unfold.

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From the Library Director

Brian Lies brings the same visual richness and gentle humor that made Bats at the Beach a classic. Cat Nap is a perfect bedtime read-aloud, but it's also a wonderful springboard for talking about dreams, creativity, and the power of a quiet mind. The illustrations reward slow, careful looking.

Big Idea

Rest isn't just rest — it's where imagination goes to play.

Discussion Questions

1
Where does the cat go when it falls asleep? What does it dream about? How do you know?
2
Have you ever had a dream that felt very real? What happened in it? How did you feel when you woke up?
3
Why do you think the author chose a cat as the main character? What is special about cats and the way they sleep?
4
Look closely at the illustrations. What details do you notice that aren't in the words? What do those details tell you about the story?
5
The cat's dream world looks very different from the real world. How does Brian Lies show the difference between the two? What clues does he give?
6
Do you think the cat knows it is dreaming? How can you tell?
7
What would your perfect dream adventure look like? Where would you go and what would you do?
8
At the end of the story, the cat wakes up. How do you think it feels? Do you ever feel that way after a really good dream?

Activity: My Dream Adventure

Students explore the connection between rest, imagination, and storytelling through drawing and creative writing.

1
Before reading, ask students: What do you think cats dream about? Record their predictions on the board.
2
Read Cat Nap aloud, pausing to let students look closely at the illustrations. After reading, revisit the predictions — what was right? What surprised them?
3
Ask students to close their eyes for 30 seconds and imagine their own perfect dream adventure. Where are they? What do they see, hear, and feel?
4
Students draw a two-panel picture: on the left, themselves falling asleep in a real place; on the right, where their dream takes them.
5
Students add a caption or short sentence to each panel. Share with a partner or the class. Discuss: How is your dream world different from the real world? What does that tell us about imagination?

Standards Connections

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.PreK-2.7 — Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.PreK-2.3 — Describe how characters respond to major events and challenges
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.PreK-2.3 — Use drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or sequence of events
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.PreK-2.4 — Describe familiar people, places, things, and events with relevant details
SEL — Self-Awareness: Identify and describe one's own feelings, imagination, and inner experiences
SEL — Responsible Decision-Making: Recognize the value of rest and creative play for well-being