The Man Who Didn't Like Animals

The understated, heartening narrative leaves room for the illustrations to work their magic, amusing kids with large absurdities and small details. Great fun for sharing at story time.

In this Old MacDonald origin story from Underwood (Walter Had a Best Friend) and Pham (Bear Came Along), the opening sequence shows a middle-aged man, portrayed with brown skin, happily dusting his apartment: "There was once a man who loved his tidy home and who didn't like animals." Naturally, a sleek cat appears on his doorstep. In digital artwork with a deliciously retro feel, vignettes show him holding his hands over his head to scare it off. But the cat refuses to leave, and the two find much in common: "The man liked to eat dinner at precisely 6 p.m. So did the cat." Willing to make an exception for a single kitty, he muses "Maybe THIS cat isn't so bad." But when additional felines, a dog or two, and a wealth of farm animals arrive, and determine to stay, the neighbors start to complain. The solution leads to a familiar tune about a man whose new residence houses many animals (their names, illustrations hint, begin with E, I, and O). It's a light tale that garners plenty of smiles, as well as an amiable look at one individual's learning to let go of preconceptions. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator's agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Sept.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Perfect for animal lovers and preschoolers with nursery rhymes still fresh on their minds.

"It's a light tale that garners plenty of smiles, as well as an amiable look at one individual's learning to let go of preconceptions."
— Publishers Weekly