Click Science and Discovery Magazine for Preschoolers and Young Children November/December 2015

See, Liz? We found a kitten right in the backyard! Can we keep it? It might be one of the neighbors' pets. But you two can look after it while I make some phone calls to find out, OK? Here, kitty, kitty. Don't be shy. We'll take care of you. You like soft, gentle pats, don't you? Want to sit on my lap? She may look sweet and innocent, but I'm not taking any chances. What's that sound? Is Liz mowing the lawn? That's the kitten purring, Amy. I think she likes me. She likes me too! See? She's playing with my shoelaces. Look, her claws are out. They're so tiny. And sharp too. Better keep your hands away so you don't get scratched. I'll keep my whole BODY away,…

There is an old saying that cats have nine lives. It’s not true. A cat has only one life. But cats jump and climb so fearlessly, it sometimes seems as if they have extra lives. And instead of going splat, a falling cat almost always lands on its feet. How? First a cat uses its eyes and ears to tell up from down. A cat can turn its ears in different directions. (You can’t.) That helps it hear and figure out where it is. It also has three tiny tubes filled with fluid inside its ears. (So do you.) That helps it (and you) balance and know which way is up. Once the cat figures out which way is which, it pulls in its front legs and twists them to…

Yes, dear, but there’s so much more that only a mama can teach you. Now watch closely. OK, Mama, but what’s that big box? This, son, is a litter box. It’s where you go potty. But even more important, after you go, you MUST hide it by scratching litter over it. Why? Long ago, cats in the wild protected themselves by burying their pee and poo. That way, enemies couldn’t smell it and find them. We pet cats still do it. You never know when enemies might be hiding. I’ll be careful, Mama. Good boy. Now we’ll groom ourselves, so we look clean and tidy. But you always look clean, Mama. That’s because I spend nearly half my time grooming. Besides, grooming isn’t just about being clean. Licking also helps…

Lions are the only cats who usually live together in big groups. Most of these groups, called prides, include a bunch of moms and babies but only a few dads. You can tell the dads by their long, shaggy manes. Tigers are the biggest cats of all. There are six types. The largest—the Siberian tiger—can weigh as much as three big men. All tigers are great swimmers and hunters, but to find enough food, they need lots of room to roam. In the wild you can tell a leopard from a jaguar by where it lives—leopards in Asia and Africa, and jaguars in the Americas. In pictures it’s a little harder. Both have ring-shaped spots, but look closely. Only jaguars have smaller spots inside the rings. Both cats are sometimes…

“Stop barking, Lips,” says Yo. “Tiger is going to stay with us while Jennifer is on vacation.” “She’s scared,” says Jennifer. “You’re much bigger than she is, Lips.” “Wow!” exclaims Yo. “Great jump, Tiger.” “We’re putting your things in the spare room so you can be alone whenever you want.” “Lips is nervous too,” says Yo. “He’s never had a cat in his house.” “Look,” says Jennifer. “Tiger is feeling better.” “Now she’s busy playing,” says Yo. “She’s forgotten all about Lips.” “Hey! Where are you going, Tiger?” “She likes to hide,” says Jennifer. “Where are you, Tiger?” calls Yo. “Found you!” says Jennifer. “I think Tiger and Lips are going to be friends after all,” says Yo.…

Katy has lots of kitties. Sometimes Katy sorts them by breed. There are more than 30 kinds. Katy doesn’t have them all—yet. Siamese cats are usually cream or gray with dark “points” on their heads, feet, and tails. Sphynx cats are mostly hairless. Their soft, warm skin feels a little like suede or a peach. Most Manx cats have no tail or just a little stump for a tail. Persians are known for their long, luxurious fur and large eyes. Sometimes Katy sorts them by color and pattern. There are so many different combinations. Katy doesn’t have them all—yet. They’re called Scottish Folds because their ears fold down and the very first one—also named Susie!—was found in Scotland. “Rex” cats, ones from breeds with the word “rex” in the name,…