See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog
A beginning reader in three short chapters offers humorous metanarrative elements as a dog, speaking in dialogue bubbles, argues with the book being read. The first chapter begins, “See the cat.” In the accompanying illustration, which shows no cat, the dog responds: “I am not a cat. I am a dog.” The narrative text adds a descriptor with each page turn (the cat is blue, it wears a green dress, is known as Baby Cakes, and rides a pink unicorn), all as the dog becomes increasingly incensed. Then two wordless spreads show a unicorn entering the scene, ridden by a cat. With a turn of the page the narrative reads “See the red dog.” “I am so embarrassed,” says the dog. When the second story opens with “See the snake,” the dog laments “Here we go again.” This time he takes charge by editing the text with pencil. In the final story, the dog claims his full agency by identifying identifies the text’s vulnerability: “If I leave this book, no one will want to read it.” The interplay of the patterned text and conversational dialogue bubbles is both predictable and fun. ©2021 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-7
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format:
Easy Reader
Subjects:
Animals (Fiction)
Humor
Meta-narratives
Patterned text/Repetition
Visual Counterpoint
Publisher:
Candlewick
Publish Year: 2020
Pages: 64
ISBN: 9781536204278
CCBC Location: Picture Book, LaRochelle