You Are Not a Cat!

by Sharon G Flake (Author) Anna Raff (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

“Fans of Mo Willems's popular ‘Elephant and Piggie’ and ‘Pigeon’ series will embrace this silly animal tale wholeheartedly.” —School Library Journal

In this hilarious picture book, two delightful characters discover the rewards of patience—even when we’re frustrated with a good friend.


This clever picture book stars Cat, who's perfectly content and relaxed—until Duck comes along. Duck infuriates Cat by meowing like a cat instead of quacking like Cat thinks he should. How can an exasperated Cat convince Duck that he’s not a cat? 

Written completely in dialogue, acclaimed author Sharon G. Flake’s minimalist text is fun to read aloud and easy enough for newly independent readers to enjoy on their own. Duck's silliness will appeal to children who enjoy pretend play, and older siblings will relate to Cat's annoyance as Duck refuses to leave his side. Ideal for multiple readings, here is a concise, funny story with playful details in the artwork and humor that never fades.

Series Overview: 
 Cat and Duck are best friends—even when a misunderstanding arises.

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$9.99

Kirkus

A duck likes to pretend to be other animals, much to the consternation of a very pragmatic cat.... beginning readers can have fun.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1--When Duck insists he is a cat and meows to prove his claim, Cat corrects his obvious error by asserting that ducks always say "quack, quack." But silly Duck would much rather stick to "meow," and Cat fails to convince him otherwise, no matter how hard he tries. When Duck changes his chosen identity at a moment's notice and becomes a parrot, even admitting that he was a squirrel yesterday and a rooster last week ("Cock-a-doodle-do!"), poor Cat is at his wit's end and ultimately gives in. Flake, best known for her middle school novels, presents a hilarious picture book that will surely beg multiple readings, with the absurd premise that nothing should be assumed, no matter how obvious. Cat is the straight man to screwball Duck, and this makes the two an appealing pair sure to be adored by young readers. Raff's soft pastel illustrations are a perfect match for the quick-witted, comic book-style text. Children will enjoy observing Cat's mood as it shifts from smug self-righteousness to angry frustration to confused acceptance by the end of the story. Fans of Mo Willems's popular "Elephant and Piggie" and "Pigeon" series will embrace this silly animal tale wholeheartedly. VERDICT A delightful picture book, ideal for storytime and for supporting teaching units on animal sounds.--Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Flake, best known for her middle school novels, presents a hilarious picture book that will surely beg multiple readings, with the absurd premise that nothing should be assumed, no matter how obvious. Fans of Mo Willems's popular 'Elephant and Piggie' and 'Pigeon' series will embrace this silly animal tale wholeheartedly. A delightful picture book, ideal for storytime and for supporting teaching units on animal sounds." —School Library Journal
Sharon G Flake
Sharon G. Flake won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award for her bestselling first novel, The Skin I'm In, and is a two-time Coretta Scott King Author Honor winner. Her books have sold a combined total of more than a million copies. You Are Not a Cat! was her first picture book.

Anna Raff is an award-winning illustrator of several books for children, including World Rat Day, If I Were a Kangaroo, and The Day the Universe Exploded My Head--a Kirkus Best Book of the Year and New York Public Library Best Book--as well as a series of science picture books with author David A. Adler. Her illustrations have also appeared in many newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times and the Washington Post. Before her career as an illustrator, Anna was a designer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and several children's book publishers. Visit annaraff.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781590789803
Lexile Measure
200
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Astra Young Readers
Publication date
October 04, 2016
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002050 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Cats
JUV002280 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Ducks, Geese, Etc.
Library of Congress categories
Cats
Ducks

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