Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2021 i Click Science and Discovery Magazine for Preschoolers and Young Children

You are nearly five weeks old now, Tom. It’s time for you to learn the ancient wisdom of cats. But, Mama, I already know that cats rule and we keep humans around to give us things like food, water, and a nice lap to sleep on. 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…

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. Most Manx cats have no tail or just a little stump for a tail. Sphynx cats are mostly hairless. Their soft, warm skin feels a little like suede or a peach. Persians are known for their long, luxurious fur and large eyes. 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, have curly or wavy fur. Sometimes Katy sorts them by color and pattern. There are so many different combinations. Katy doesn’t have them all—yet.…

When I heard my neighbor Everett call, “Hey, John, come see what’s in our shed!” I dropped my soccer ball and ran. Everett always has something fun to show me—a good tree for climbing, tadpoles in the creek, ripe peaches ready to be picked. What would it be this time? Everett led the way into the dim shed. “Shh,” he said. “Don’t scare Trixie.” Trixie was Everett’s orange cat. Why would she be scared? She was gentle and tame, and we played with her all the time. Everett knelt down by a big cardboard box. I peeked in and saw Trixie lying on a bed of old towels. “She had four kittens yesterday!” Everett said proudly. The kittens mewed as they snuggled next to Trixie. With their eyes shut tight…

Do you want a pet kitty? Cats make wonderful furry friends, but they are not a good fit for everyone. Here are a few things to think about before you get a cat. • Cats like to climb. They’ll jump onto furniture and counters, and it can be hard to keep them off. • Wherever cats go, their hair goes too. Will you mind finding fur on your clothes or furniture? • Cats need to scratch. Scratching keeps their claws in tiptop shape. It helps them get a good stretch to keep their bodies healthy. It also marks things with a smell that tells other cats, “This is mine.” But their scratching can also damage furniture, walls, and curtains. • Being near a cat—or somewhere a cat has been—makes many…