Dog vs. Cat

PreS-Gr 2--Starting with illustrations on the endpapers, readers know immediately that they are in for a treat with this picture book. On the same day, Mr. Buttons returns home with a "friendly-looking dog," while Mrs. Buttons find the perfect "smart-looking cat." Clearly, these newcomers are not going to get along, and each one sets out to make the other leave ("Dog rubbed some party balloons on the rug and stuck them to cat. Cat popped them with sharp claws, nearly giving Dog a heart attack. Cat filled Dog's water bowl with hairballs. Dog poured the water over Cat's head during naptime."). The exaggerated traits of both animals are wonderful. Small details, such as the dogs at the animal shelter holding signs saying "I'll be your best friend" and "I want to lick you!" are a hilarious contrast to the cats in the pet store window with signs such as, "And you are?" and "I'm kind of a big deal." The colored-pencil illustrations are remarkable, and the animals' dialogue, expressions, and body language are priceless, as is the funny conclusion. A terrific addition to any friendship or pet storytime.--Brooke Rasche, La Crosse Public Library, WI

In a story brimming with sight gags, Gall (Awesome Dawson) mines a Cat and Dog's odd-couple arrangement for laughs. The reluctant roommates meet when their human caretaker, Mr. Button, visits "the animal shelter to pick out a friendly-looking dog" on the same day Mrs. Button purchases a "smart-looking cat." Like mismatched co-eds, the animals partition their shared space with dotted lines. Laidback, sports-loving Dog messily occupies a corner strewn with slices of pizza, while tidy, straight-laced Cat organizes a science lab and bookshelf with military precision. Their rivalry allows for pranks involving litter boxes, hairballs, high-pitched whistles, and catnip. At last they achieve detente, only to be startled by "a strange howling" that emanates from "the most terrifying creature had ever seen"--a human baby. Gall's detailed colored pencil cartoons and the pets' snarky hand-lettered remarks provide punch lines for the deliberately understated text. Dog and Cat's interactions have a decidedly human bent, and their vexed situation will speak equally to young siblings and college freshmen. Ages 3-6. Agent: George Nicholson, Sterling Lord Literistic. (May)