You Are Not a Cat!

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