See the Cat: Three Stories about a Dog (See the Cat #1)

by David Larochelle (Author) Mike Wohnoutka (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade
Series: See the Cat

Move over, Spot. . . . Spoofing classic primers, Max the Dog talks back to the book in a twist that will have fans of funny early readers howling. See Max. Max is not a cat--Max is a dog. But much to Max's dismay, the book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a DOG?

In a trio of stories for beginning readers, author David LaRochelle introduces the excitable Max, who lets the book know in irresistibly emphatic dialogue that the text is not to his liking. Illustrator Mike Wohnoutka hilariously depicts the pup's reactions to the narrator and to the wacky cast of characters who upend Max's--and readers'--expectations as the three stories build to an immensely satisfying conclusion.

Hooray, Max, hooray!

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Review quotes

Sardonic cartoon drawings and the play on words cleverly elevate the repetitive, Dick-and-Jane pattern to include humor and suspense. Children, who are frequently subject to the control of others, will delight in seeing Max mirror their emotions and turn the tables. Kids will cheer for the affronted Max in this well-crafted early reader with surprising outcomes.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

With short, simple words and a keen sense of comedic timing, LaRochelle sets up this battle of wits but leaves space for Wohnoutka to work his magic. The expressive gouache illustrations bring the characters to life, deliver much of the book's humor, and create a blissfully happy ending for Max. Using the predictability of traditional "easy reader" books as a springboard to laugh-out-loud moments, this book is a rewarding choice for kids tackling the not-so-easy task of learning to read.
—Booklist (starred review)

Short sentences carry a steady rhythm, with word repetition scaffolding language acquisition and offering clever callbacks. Gouache illustrations in subdued hues enliven and support the narrative. This entertaining exploration of words, images, and how they function together to tell a story will be popular with fans of Mo Willems.
—The Horn Book
David Larochelle
David LaRochelle is the author of many books for young readers, including Isle of You, illustrated by Jaime Kim, as well as How to Apologize, See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog, and See the Dog: Three Stories About a Cat, all illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. See David LaRochelle in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Mike Wohnoutka has illustrated numerous books for young readers, including How to Apologize, See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog, and See the Dog: Three Stories About a Cat, all by David LaRochelle. He is also the author and illustrator of several picture books, including Croc & Turtle. See Mike Wohnoutka in Minneapolis.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781536204278
Lexile Measure
260
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Candlewick Press (MA)
Publication date
September 20, 2020
Series
See the Cat
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
JUV043000 - Juvenile Fiction | Readers | Beginner
Library of Congress categories
Cats
Dogs
Hippopotamus
Books and reading
Humorous fiction
Readers (Publications)
Snakes
Readers (Elementary)
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
Winner

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