See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog by David LaRochelle, Mike Wohnoutka
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536204277
Pages: 64
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
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The title and subtitle hint at the humor that the reader is about to encounter. Three short stories in which Max the dog takes center stage arguing with the text. The text builds, starting with “See the cat,” to which he replies, “I am not a cat.” Each subsequent page adds a descriptor until he insists “There is no cat! There is no dress! There is not a  unicorn. There is just me, Max the Dog!” On the next page, a blue cat in a dress perched on a unicorn jumps across the page.

Two additional stories provide similar humor as Max talks to the text of the story.

Simple illustrations with no background keep the focus on Max. His facial expressions help the reader grasp his frustration. The story text appears in large simple font on the left hand page, and Max’s image and his words appear in speech bubbles on the left.

Just a fun book to share with an individual child or a group. Purchase recommended, along with its companion book, “See the Dog: Three Stories About a Cat” (c2021).

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Tow