You Are Not a Cat!

by Sharon G. Flake, Anna Raff (Illustrator)

Overview

For fans of Mo Willem's Elephant and Piggie and Pigeon series, this clever and hilarious story stars Cat, who starts out perfectly content and relaxed, and Duck, who infuriates him by meowing like a cat instead of quacking like Cat thinks he should.

Written completely in dialogue, this minimalist text is fun to read aloud and easy enough for newly independent readers to enjoy on their own. Humorous and deceptively simple artwork highlights the characters' personalities, showing Duck's quirkiness and good humor and Cat's rising frustration as Duck impersonates a variety of animals, refusing to concede that he is, indeed, a duck. Duck's silliness will appeal to children who enjoy pretend play, and older siblings will relate to Cat's annoyance as Duck refuses to leave his side. Ideal for multiple readings, here is a concise, funny story by award-winning author Sharon G. Flake with playful details in the artwork and humor that never fades.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590789803
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	10/04/2016
Series:	Duck and Cat
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	BR (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Sharon G. Flake won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award for her first novel, The Skin I'm In, and is a two-time Coretta Scott King Author Honor winner. Her books have sold a combined total of more than half a million copies. You Are Not a Cat! is her first picture book. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Visit sharongflake.com.

Anna Raff has illustrated several books for children, including World Rat Day by Children's Poet Laureate, J. Patrick Lewis. Her illustrations have also appeared in many newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times and the Washington Post. Before her career as an illustrator, Anna was a designer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and several children's book publishers. She lives in New York City. Visit annaraff.com.

Editorial Reviews

"A duck likes to pretend to be other animals, much to the consternation of a very pragmatic cat.... beginning readers can have fun..." —Kirkus Reviews

"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. Fans of Mo Willems's popular 'Elephant and Piggie' and 'Pigeon' series will embrace this silly animal tale wholeheartedly. A delightful picture book, ideal for storytime and for supporting teaching units on animal sounds." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

10/01/2016
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

School Library Journal

2016-07-02
A duck likes to pretend to be other animals, much to the consternation of a very pragmatic cat.A gray cat wakes to find a duck (which looks to be a male mallard) proclaiming, “I am a cat. Meow.” The cat knows this is preposterous. “You are not a cat. You are a duck. Quack, quack.” But, the duck explains, “Meow is what I like to say.” As the pair good-naturedly go back and forth, the duck fashions an acorn collar and two pointy ears made out of leaves to look more catlike. The cat becomes more and more frustrated. Realizing logic is needed, the cat tries to get the duck to understand its mistake: “Do you have whiskers that tickle the air? / Sharp claws? A taste for mice?” “No,” the duck admits, but continues meowing just the same. This drives the cat bonkers, to the point of running after the duck shouting, “Quack. Quack. Quack. Quack. Quack.” No amount of shouting can change Duck’s mind. In fact, no resolution is really ever reached. The duck decides to be a cow next, and the cat gives up in exasperation. As this is told entirely in dialogue presented in speech bubbles, with short, repetitive phrases (most containing the word “no”), beginning readers can have fun with the cat’s mounting frustration. Silly arguments abound in life, but readers who may be wishing for a duo to replace a certain dialogue-happy elephant and pig will not find it here. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews