The Bookstore Cat Coloring Page

Color a friendly bookstore cat and read a fun story about life among shelves full of books. This printable coloring page gives kids a creative way to enjoy reading and coloring together.

More coloring pages to try

Reading activity

Optional · Reading: Upper Elementary

Add a reading worksheet

PDF · Your plan’s download limits apply

Barnaby and the Bookshelf

Barnaby was not an ordinary alley cat. While most of his friends spent their evenings chasing shadows or rummaging through silver bins, Barnaby had a taste for the finer things in life. He was a plump ginger cat with a coat as bright as a penny and one perfectly white front paw that looked like a tiny sock.

One chilly autumn evening, a gust of wind pushed Barnaby toward a narrow street he had never visited before. There, tucked between a bakery and a clock shop, stood a storefront with a sign that read "The Dusty Page." The windows were filled with towering stacks of books, and a warm, golden light spilled out onto the sidewalk. When a customer opened the door, a tiny silver bell chimed, and Barnaby seized his chance to slip inside.

The air inside the bookstore smelled of old paper and peppermint tea. Barnaby prowled through the aisles, his tail twitching with excitement. He found a perfect spot atop a velvet armchair in the corner of the history section. It was the softest thing he had ever felt. Just as he was settling in for a nap, a pair of thick glasses peered over the top of a wooden counter. It was Mr. Penhaligon, the shopkeeper.

"Well now," Mr. Penhaligon whispered, his voice as soft as the pages of a book. "I suppose every good library needs a guardian. You look like a very distinguished fellow."

Instead of shooing him away, Mr. Penhaligon reached into his desk and pulled out a small saucer of milk. Barnaby purred so loudly that the floorboards seemed to vibrate. From 그 day on, Barnaby was no longer an alley cat. He became the official greeting committee of The Dusty Page. He spent his mornings napping on the mystery novels and his afternoons being petted by children. Barnaby had finally found the warmth he had always dreamed of, tucked right between the covers of a story.

Glossary
  • Rummaging: Searching through something in a messy or hurried way.
  • Distinguished: Looking important, elegant, or worthy of respect.
  • Vibrate: To move back and forth with very short, quick movements.
  • Guardian: A person (or animal) who protects or looks after something.
  • Chime: A ringing sound made by a bell.

Comprehension questions

  1. How does the author describe Barnaby's physical appearance?

  2. What activities did Barnaby's friends usually do in the evenings?

  3. What environmental factor led Barnaby to the narrow street where the bookstore was located?

  4. Between which two types of shops was 'The Dusty Page' located?

  5. What specific scents filled the air inside the bookstore?

  6. Where exactly did Barnaby decide to take a nap when he first entered the shop?

  7. Who was Mr. Penhaligon and how did he react to seeing Barnaby?

  8. What did Mr. Penhaligon offer Barnaby during their first meeting?

  9. What became Barnaby's official job at the bookstore?

  10. How did Barnaby's lifestyle change after he moved into the bookstore?

Create a free account to reveal the answer key.

Create free accountLog in

Printables & worksheets

More ways to practice with this story — every sheet is built from the text itself, answer key included where it counts.

Get all 4 sheets as one workbook

One PDF with a cover, a contents page and every answer key at the back — color the page in, then keep going on paper.

fix the sentence

Sentences from the passage with the capitals and punctuation removed — rewrite each one correctly.

vocabulary

Match the passage words to their meanings, then fill the missing words back into real sentences.

writing prompts

Two writing tasks that build on the passage, with plenty of lines to write on.

Free Printable Cat Coloring Page with Reading Passage

Enhance your literacy lessons with this unique printable coloring page based on the story 'Barnaby and the Bookshelf.' This activity combines creative art with reading comprehension, allowing children to color a scene of Barnaby the cat in his cozy bookstore home. It is an excellent resource for upper elementary students in the classroom or for educational fun at home.

Our coloring pages are designed for easy download and printing, featuring clear black outlines and child-friendly details that are perfect for markers, crayons, or colored pencils. This specific page focuses on themes of animal friendship and belonging, providing a wonderful opportunity to discuss character traits and setting with your students.

Teachers and parents can use this download coloring page as a reward for finishing the reading passage or as a tool for storytelling. By integrating a coloring page with a reading activity, kids stay engaged longer and develop a deeper connection to the text. Simply download the image and print it for your next lesson plan.