See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog
By:
Illustrator: Mike Wohnoutka
See Max. Max is not a cat—Max is a dog. But much to Max’s dismay, the book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a DOG?
In a trio of stories for beginning readers, author David LaRochelle introduces the excitable Max, who lets the book know in irresistibly emphatic dialogue that the text is not to his liking. Illustrator Mike Wohnoutka hilariously depicts the pup’s reactions to the narrator and to the wacky cast of characters who upend Max’s—and readers’—expectations as the three stories build to an immensely satisfying conclusion. Hooray, Max, hooray!
Full-color illustrations were done in gouache.
ISBN: 9781536204278
JLG Release: Oct 2020
Sensitive Areas:
None
Topics:
Dogs , Books , Animals , Humorous stories
Awards & Honors
2021 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner
Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2–Who is running the show in this delightfully humorous easy reader? The first line of text, large black font on a white verso page, is “See the cat.” On the recto page, a yellow dog proudly declares in speech bubble text, “I am not a cat. I am a dog.” As descriptors of the cat accumulate, dog Max grows more and more indignant until K-Gr 2–Who is running the show in this delightfully humorous easy reader? The first line of text, large black font on a white verso page, is “See the cat.” On the recto page, a yellow dog proudly declares in speech bubble text, “I am not a cat. I am a dog.” As descriptors of the cat accumulate, dog Max grows more and more indignant until indeed a cat does appear and the text “See the red dog” is paired with red-cheeked Max admitting, “I am so embarrassed.” In the second story, the omniscient narrator begins, “See the snake” as Max resignedly responds, “Here we go again.” The jig is up, however, as Max cleverly averts the dangerous snake by using a pencil to write in a different ending. In the third story, Max takes control by threatening to leave the book when the narrator again tries to manipulate him. Cartoon-style illustrations expertly support a text with repetition and simple sentences. As Max progresses from confused to canny to competent, children will find a reflection of their own reading journey as well as amusement at the metafictive aspect of a dog wrestling with a book. VERDICT This humorous, self-referential, fourth wall–demolishing easy reader features a dog who seems to be at the mercy of the storyteller—or is he?–Ramarie Beaver, formerly at Plano P.L., TX
Book Details
ISBN
9781536204278
First Release
October 2020
Genre
Fic
Dewey Classification
E
Trim Size
9" x 6 1/2"
Page Count
64
Accelerated Reader
Level 1.2; Points: 0.5;
Scholastic Reading Counts
N/ALexile
N/AFormat
Print Book
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Candlewick
Potentially Sensitive Areas
None
Topics
Dogs, Books, Animals, Humorous stories,
