Customer Reviews

Dynamic Duos

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In this delightful Steig classic Kate and Caleb argue over something silly. A furious Caleb wanders into the forest and falls asleep under a tree. While he dreams, a witch turns him into a dog. He comes home, of course, but can only bark. The bereft Kate wonders what became of her faithful mate, fearful that he did not know how much she cared, until one night robbers steal into the house, her dog scares them off and the witch's evil spell is undone. When Caleb is once again himself, he resumes a loving life with Kate. A great story to show kids that while grownups sometimes argue, they still love one another, and usually make up.

MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER LOVED FOR ME TO READ THIS STORY TO HER IN THE EARLY 80'S. LITTLE DID I KNOW I WOULD END UP WITH A GRANDSON NAMED CALEB.

The twisted creativity of William Steig never ceases to amaze.

The book begins, "Caleb the carpenter and Kate the weaver loved each other, but not every single minute. Once in a while they'd differ about this or that and wind up in such a fierce quarrel you'd never believe they were husband and wife".

The illustration, as always, is absolutely evocative - Caleb pounds the table, Kate crosses her arms and stares her hubby down with a look of utter disdain, while the family cat takes it all in from the sidelines...

Caleb stomps out "pondering why he had married such a cantankerous hoddy-doddy" (what's a hoddy-doddy?), but eventually forgets what the fight was about as he remembers the "fragrant noodle pudding" that Kate was known for.

With these thoughts on his mind, he falls asleep in the forest, which is when, as is expected in quintessential Steig, things get a bit dicey and dark.

Along happens the witch Yedida (of all the things she might be named, why this?) who casts a spell on our snoozing protagonist, turning him from carpenter to canine in an instant.

The remarkable thing is that the dog looks just like Caleb.

The rest of the story is a tale of redemption.

Kate is frantic at the loss of her husband and gladly takes in the stray pooch, who, unbeknown to her, in fact is her beloved Caleb. She draws solace from this clever pet, while he deals with the anguish of trying to communicate, fighting tendencies to succumb to the pleasures of dogginess.

Ultimately, unexpected circumstances result in Caleb and Kate's being reunited as man and wife.

And so another excellent story by William Steig comes to its conclusion: "Much later, when they were able to talk intelligently, Caleb told her, or tried to tell her, what had happened - so far as he knew. What had actually happened they never found out. Like many another thing, it remained an mystery".

Caleb and Kate is by far one of Steig's best stories! I'll start with a short summary that will not spoil the book. The story is about a man (Caleb) and his wife (Kate). At the beginning of the story Caleb and Kate are angry at each other so Caleb storms off into the woods and falls asleep. A witch finds him a casts a spell on him turning him into a dog. I won't spoil the rest, but you should know that this tale is definitely suitable for children. The only thing that might worry a parent is that there is a point where robbers come through the window of Kate's house but there are no nasty images or anything like that and as in all good books good triumphs over bad.

Steig's writing in this story is brilliant. When Caleb is turned into a dog he realizes how much he loves his wife. He yearns for her attention and love. He misses her so much, just as Kate misses her "missing" husband, and you can tell by the way Steig writes. Steig's writing will paint your mind with emotions such as fear, love, hope, loneliness, and many others. Like all of his books, you won't want to stop reading. I love how he makes you think, "what if Caleb doesn't ever turn back into a man". "What is life going to be like for Kate". The writing demonstrates to children how an argument doesn't mean someone doesn't love you. It also teaches that you don't know what you have until you lose it. It teaches us to live every moment the best you can. Lastly, it demonstrates how sometimes you want to say something to someone but you just can't tell them how you really feel. As far as writing goes this is one of his best works because of the emotion you will feel when you read the story.

Steig's illustrations are top notch as always. Very colorful and vibrant. I have never seen someone who illustrates in such an incredible yet somewhat simple way. The cover of the book would make you think this is a very bland book, but don't let that fool you. There are many different types of settings and pictures. The detail is incredible especially if you take the time to look at everything. I recommend taking a picture walk with your child after you read the story just to talk about and really take in how beautiful they are.

Lastly, don't pass this up. I realize that there are many different options when choosing a children's book, but what I look for as an educator are both illustrations and a writing style that are going to keep children coming back to a book. I recommend all of Steig's picture books to any parent or child! This one WILL not disappoint! Steig's stories are timeless classics that never get old! Caleb and Kate is equally as incredible as his award winning stories like Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Dr. DeSoto, and The Amazing Bone. Buy the book and enjoy it forever!

Steig is never, ever passe. This story, as others have said, is about a man turning into a dog and then redeeming himself and being turned, during his act of sufficient reason, back into a more rational animal.

However, what has not yet been noted is that the book is also about passions and the redefinition of love as commitment. Caleb and Kate were angry at one another, as people sometimes get. And it was the anger that transformed Caleb more than the witch. He was already a dog in his anger.

Buy this book because of its moral message and its artwork. The book, basically, says this: One does not have to feel stuck in one's passions. One can transform oneself into a better friend. It isn't magic, but it is difficult.