Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Is there a dog in this book?
Written and Illustrated by Viviane Schwarz
Candlewick Press, 2014
Fiction
Suitable for: ages preschool – Grade 2
Theme/Topic: Dog and Cat relationships, Interactive Adventure
Opening Spread: End papers — There are three cats in this book. They’re on the next page . . . .
“Oh, hello! You opened our book!”
“Come and look at all the pages!”
Sniff! “Wait — is there somebody else in this book?”
Brief Synopsis: From Candlewick’s website:
Can cats and dogs share the same turf? Revisit the age-old dilemma with a hide-and-seek romp among furry friends. Brimming with humor and featuring Viviane Schwarz’s exuberant artwork, here is a lively interactive exploration of the surprising joys of unlikely friendships from the creator of There Are Cats in This Book and There Are No Cats in This Book.
Equal time for canines! Three cats —Tiny, Moonpie, and André — think there might be a dog in this book, but it’s up to the reader to help them find out.
Resources: Dog and Cat Teaching Plan. You can talk about the differences and similarities of cats and dogs. Pretend to be a dog and play hide and seek.
Why I Like This Book: I stumbled on this title at the library. The dust cover doesn’t fully cover the book, because it reveals the cats. The interior holds many surprises too. There are flaps for the reader to lift as the cats seek help in finding the dog. The cats are frightened about the dog, but the reader continues to open pianos, closet doors, and suitcases. Enzo loved the rising tension as the cats keep an eye out for the dog. I love the dog’s thought bubble drawings. They perfectly match the images a child Enzo’s age draws.
This is Schwarz’s third Cats book. The other titles include There Are Cats in This Book and There Are No Cats in This Book.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
It began snowing on Thursday. It’s still spring, even though there are a few snowflakes on the ground. #SpringinColorado
Sounds cute – I’d like to see all three books together and compare.
There was a time I did not enjoy reading flap books to the kids because they were so intent on opening flaps that they did not follow the story! Plus, lots of gluing and taping flaps back into the book…
These flaps are surprisingly sturdy. They need to be as Enzo is a bit stronger than he was a drooling baby.
I can’t get my hands on the first two in the series via the library. I’ll see if I can find them.
I have heard of this PB, but I need to read it. Thanks for giving us a taste.
It’s a fun one.
This looks totally fun!
Sue Enzo giggles when he’s opening flaps when the cats don’t want him to. Of course, he’s going to open the piano! One cannot resist.
Hmm, if you’ve reyuned it maybe I could place a hold!
We may keep this one the full three weeks Julie. Our system only has this book, but not the first two. She also illustrated the book Cheese Belongs to You! by Alexis Deacon. Another fun book. I believe all of these were first published in the UK and then Candlewick published them here.
This sounds like fun. I wonder if an author who wasn’t an illustrator could pull it off?
You know … I always think back to Adam Lehrhaupt’s book Warning: Do Not Open This Book.
Love your choice. I bet this would pair well with the other titles and play off each other. Such a fun book for young children. Like the use of tension with the flaps.
The flaps are well placed and add a lot to the story. That’s not always the case with flaps in an illustrated book.
Oooo! I loved Viviane’s first two cat books. I hadn’t heard there was another sequel. Thanks!
I can’t find the first two via the library. They look super awesome too..
I got them through Daedalus discount books.
A sure bet for those who love either dogs or cats. Seems very playful and original. Thanks for featuring!
It is. Unfortunately, my library doesn’t have the first two in the series.
Ooh. Tension among cats and dogs. It’s a really cute cover, to start. Such fun, especially on a runny day! Happy Friday 🙂
Oh dear. Trigger finger. I mean a rainy day! (might as well by runny too).
Ha ha Sue. It was a little runny wet along our streets. I didn’t realize how much moisture we had until I saw all the water flowing into the street drains. Hope you have a lovely day. Sunny and melting here now.
This one looks like LOTS of fun for little ones (and me too!). Thanks for the recommendation!
Great for little ones! I love those three cats’ expressions.
This sounds perfectly adorable. Thanks for the review.