BOOKS

A Cat Is Better

by Linda Joy SINGLETON
illus. by Jorge Martin. 32p. little bee. Jun. 2017. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781499802788.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—An orange cat is adopted, but oh dear—so is a blue dog. A boy takes both animals home. The cat struggles to demonstrate how felines are superior to dogs. For instance, a cat is self-entertaining (illustrated by claw marks across upholstery), while a dog plays fetch with its owner. A dog gets dirty, but a cat is self-cleaning. The cat tries different ways to steal attention away from the dog until the boy gives her a sparkly necklace. The cat decides that the canine can stay and might even be a perfect friend, particularly when she gets lonely. This simple tale of cat vs. dog, told from the feline's perspective, is illustrated in a childlike style, with bold swashes of color, loops and squiggles for shading, and thick lines.
VERDICT A short and silly pet tale sure to please young pet lovers.
Reviewed by Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services
Cats make better pets than dogs--just ask this book's feline narrator. Despite the tabby's protests, a child adopts a pup at the same time. Bright, childlike paintings reveal that the smug-seeming narrator is not as secure in the new owner's affections (nor as well behaved) as claimed. Eventually the cat rethinks its stance, resulting in a heartwarming conclusion: "sometimes a dog can be...purrfect."
 , Jul 01, 2017

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