Strumming For the Cats
Why I Wrote a Ukulele Song for My Cat Cafe Book
When I wrote my new picture book Whiskers and the Cat Cafe: Friendships and Forever Homes, I never imagined that a ukulele song would become part of its journey. After all, there’s no ukulele in the book—just cats, cozy cafe moments, and a heartwarming story about adoption and friendship inspired by the local cat cafe I collaborated with. So why did I write a ukulele song to go along with it?
The answer is simple: music has a way of bringing people together, just like stories do. And what better way to celebrate a book about connection than with a song that invites people to sing and play along?
A Preview
You can watch the book trailer here on my YouTube channel. I used part of the song for the background music. Download your PDF copy here.
The Benefits of a Ukulele Song for a Picture Book
Adding a ukulele song to this book was a fun challenge. It will also open up new ways for readers, parents, teachers, and musicians to engage with the story. Here’s why I believe it was worth doing:
It makes the book interactive. A song adds another layer of engagement, especially for young readers. Whether they’re singing along, clapping, or strumming on a ukulele, the story becomes something they can experience in a whole new way.
It supports early literacy and musical exploration. Music and language go hand in hand. Singing helps children develop rhythm, rhyme awareness, and memory skills—all important for early literacy. And for kids who are just starting to explore music, a simple ukulele tune is a great way to introduce them to playing an instrument.
It creates an opportunity for community connection. Just like a cat cafe brings people together over a shared love of cats, music brings people together in a shared experience. The song can be sung in classrooms, libraries, music circles, and even at events celebrating the book, making it a tool for connection. (I’m singing and playing it at my upcoming author events!)
It makes story time even more fun! Whether it’s a teacher, librarian, or parent reading Whiskers and the Cat Cafe aloud, adding a song at the end gives kids a chance to move, sing, and have fun beyond just listening to the story.
Who Benefits from the Song?
The song isn’t just for kids! This song is for anyone who loves music, storytelling, and cats!
Kids and families get a fun, interactive way to connect with the book and a song they can sing together.
Teachers and librarians can use it to enhance read-aloud sessions and encourage musical creativity.
Ukulele players from beginners to experienced musicians, get a simple, heartfelt tune they can enjoy playing.
Cat lovers (because let’s be honest, everything is better with a cat-themed song!).
What This Says About My Creativity
Writing a song for a book that doesn’t actually feature a ukulele might seem unexpected, but for me, it felt like a natural extension of creativity. I love weaving together different forms of expression—whether it’s storytelling, music, or art—to create something that brings joy to others.
This song reflects my love for both books and music, and it’s a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to stay in one lane. Sometimes, the most delightful ideas come from mixing things up, thinking outside the box, and following what brings you joy.
So, if you’re a musician, a book lover, or someone who just loves a good cat cafe story, I hope you’ll check out Whiskers and the Cat Café: Friendships and Forever Homes—and maybe even strum along to its song!
My Gift to You
For a limited time, you can download the eBook for FREE! I’d love for you to leave a review to help others discover the book. Thank you!
Mixing and Matching
Have you ever found inspiration in an unexpected place? Have you ever mixed and matched things that didn’t seem to go together at first? What surprised you? How do you use music or art to enhance your creative projects?
Drop a comment below. I’d love to start a conversation!
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a ukulele, a book, or a cup of coffee shared with a friend, creativity is all around us. We just have to pick up the pieces and start playing.