Among Cat Friends

Among Cat Friends brings together charming rhyming stories and delightful illustrations by renowned children’s illustrator Axel Scheffler (with text by Franz Wittkamp) in a Ukrainian-language edition translated by poet Yurii Bedryk. 

The book spans 32 pages of vibrant art and playful narrative: on each spread, a scene featuring cats at play—not just ordinary cats, but musical cats, party cats, mischievous cats and, of course, cats taking a restful nap. 

What makes this edition especially suitable for early learners is its structure: each page offers a self-contained rhyming mini-scene, meaning caregivers or children can open the book anywhere and enjoy a complete little poem without needing to read from start to finish. 

The combination of rhythmic language and expressive illustrations supports both language-development and visual engagement: younger children will be drawn to the funny cat antics and bright colour-rich spreads, while older toddlers may attempt to mimic or even invent their own short rhymes inspired by the scenes. As the Ukrainian edition notes: “Reading and learning rhymes develops memory and a sense of rhythm in the child”. 

Size-wise, the book is hardback, published 26 July 2023 by Artbooks, and measures approx. 21.6 × 17.2 cm, weighing 254g. 

For parents and gift-buyers seeking a high-quality picture book in Ukrainian that combines poetry, play and illustration, Among Cat Friends stands out. It is suitable for children aged around 0+, perfect for reading aloud, sharing on lap, or gifting at birthdays. The book invites interactivity: each page can be paused upon, discussed, or used to prompt imaginative storytelling—“What will the cat do next?”—thus adding value beyond the printed text.

In short: whether you’re building a Ukrainian-language home library, looking for a charming gift, or simply want a book that encourages early-rhythm, vocabulary and imaginative play, this edition offers a compact yet rich reading experience.