I Am the Dog I Am the Cat [Hardcover]

Donald Hall (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Distinguished poet Donald Hall and award-winning artist Barry Moser have teamed up to create a hilarious, affectionate portrait in contrasts of our companions, and often best friends, a cat and a dog. With evocative words and masterful paintings, they delineate the doginess and catlike qualities that everyone will recognize. Full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A rottweiler and a green-eyed cat are the stars as well as the narrators of this second work from Hall and Moser ( The Farm Summer 1942 ). Hall's evenhanded and whimsical poem/play analyzes the nature of each species: "DOG: I am the dog. / I like bones. / I like to bury bones. / As for eating, I can take it or leave it-- / but I like it when they feed me. CAT: I am the cat. / I won't care whether they feed me or not / as long as I get fed." Moser's paintings give each animal in the book a specific personality--the rottweiler shakes diamond beads of water from his coat or frightens "the burglar disguised as a UPS man"; the cat peers intently through a window at a finch or sits like a queen atop a purple cushion. The feline rather disdainfully describes dogs as "nervous and well-meaning"; the simultaneously "dignified, / guilty, / sprightly, / obedient, / friendly, / vigilant, / and soulful" dog says categorically that "cats are weird." The absence of a clear story or plot, however, coupled with the arch tone of the text, may make the book more accessible and enjoyable to adult readers than to children. All ages.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-A free-verse poem that alternates the animals' voices. A Rottweiler lists its likes and dislikes making declarations with strong verbs. Its actions are forthright and positive, for it is a dog. A tabby's speeches take a more leisurely tone, conveyed by longer, rambling sentences and softer sounds. It exhibits contradictory and more emotional behaviors, for it is a cat. Moser's full-page watercolor portraits are naturalistic. His use of close perspectives, mostly from the animals'-eye view, capture the immediacy and personality of each creature. Adults will recognize the truth of this book and be amused; children will enjoy the words and pictures and be amused, as well.
Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803715048
• ISBN-13: 978-0803715042
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,565 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Depiction of Dogs and Cats, March 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Am the Dog I Am the Cat (Hardcover)

I Am the Dog I Am the Cat doesn't tell a story - instead it tells about the characters of a cat and a dog. Anyone who has ever owned either will recognize the essence of the animals in Hall's excellent verse, while Moser's elegant illustrations capture the dog and the cat beautifully.

I recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a pet or ever hopes to have one. Excellent for reading aloud, but be prepared for some rather urgent requests for a dog (or a cat) when the book is done.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations, September 19, 2000

By 

"mollycc" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am the Dog I Am the Cat (Hardcover)

This is a great book for primary grade students. The illustrations are large and wonderful to look at. The text captures the devotion of a dog and the aloofness of a cat to perfection! I loved it!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute book!, June 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: I Am the Dog I Am the Cat (Hardcover)

I thought this book was the best when I was a kid, and I still love it! It is one of the cutest books I have ever read! I am now in the 8th grade, and I used this book for a speech competition with my friend. We got a superior (not to brag or anything). This book is probabally for kids from ages 5-8.