Danger the Dog Yard Cat

by Libby Riddles, Libby Riddles

In 1985 Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the grueling 1049-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. She won after risking her life in a dangerous winter storm that swept across the sea ice of Norton Sound, pinning her team down for hours. Now she introduces us to her cat, Danger, the coolest lead cat in Iditarod history, in this whimsical and musical tale of the far north. Libby lives with 11-year-old Danger and 57 sled dogs a few miles out of Nome.

Ages 5 and up. This book is part of PAWS IV Publishing.

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Dogs, Cats, Adventure, Picture Books, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A belated birthday gift from my in-laws who visited Alaska and got to meet Libby Riddles, first woman to win the Iditarod. This is a fun little book about a cat who dreams it leads a team of dogs to win the Iditarod. It is based on Riddles' cat, Danger, and in real life it must have been a very brave and spunky kitty to be able to cope with 57 sled dogs!!! ;-> A nice little poem (if at times a bit awkward) and some cute illustrations round out a fun book that gives a glimpse into the sled dog races. (As a bonus, my copy was autographed by Libby. Thanks, Jack and Carolyn!!!)

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Danger was a cool cat, some say a fool cat, a mean, lean break-all-the-rules cat."

I had the pleasure of meeting Libby Riddles last week and bought a few of her books which she graciously signed for me. This one is about her cat, Danger, whom she rescued from a pound in Nome, Alaska and took home to live with her 57 huskies.

It's written in rhyming couplets and with a great sense of humour. The illustrations are fantastic.

You'll read about Libby's 1985 win in the 1,049-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome through Danger's eyes....he thinks he was the lead dog!

This is a great book for new readers and children who love pets.

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good for a quick read through. it is centered on her cat 'Danger' and is written to rhyme. I love Libby Riddles and what she has accomplished. All aspects of the book were only ok for me.

[A.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this today. It was a good story. Written in a rhyming pattern (as so many things for kids are).

The kids were full of questions (naturally), and I could supply them with personal knowledge of huskies because I used to own one.

But, dear Lord! Owning over 50 as the authoress! That is unimaginable to me. One was a handful (though I dearly loved her).

Anyway, good story. Just thought there could've been more explanation about the actual race.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened across this book at St. Vinnie's yesterday for 25 cents. It is such a cute story by Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the Iditarod. It has led me to a whole series of similar books, many about Alaska.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Alaska fantasy tale of a rescue cat, adopted by a dog musher. The book is written by the first woman musher to win the Iditarod Race from Anchorage to Nome.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short little read. I am not a cat person, but rather a dog 🐶 gal but I loved the humor of this, the poetry, and the triumphant ending:

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad that Danger the kitty was saved! He had a great family of sled dogs and a woman who didn't care that she didn't know his full past. I've read this before in past years.

[Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since might be the first of a series, I cannot wait to see the development of the leading characters.

[Tiffany Jolly]

Danger: The Dog Yard Cat
Fiction: picture story book. Rhyming, adventure
Riddles, Libby. Danger: The Dog Yard Cat. Illus by Shannon Cartwright. Paws IV Publishing, 1989, unp, primary.
In Danger: The Dog Yard Cat, follows a cat that dreams of leading a dog sled team so he can earn the respect of all the dogs. The style of the large print shown on each page is set within the creative water colored illustrations that are silly and are very stylized, which catches a child’s eye because it is adventurous and highly unrealistic of a cat leading a dog team.
Activity: Have student’s write about what kind of animal they would want to lead their dog team. Have them draw a picture to help describe their team.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun and entertaining read about a bold cat named Danger who dreams of leading a team of dogs. The rhyming narrative is quite fantastic, but it's interesting to learn more about Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. I love the photos at the end of the story, depicting Libby with her cat. The illustrations are colorful and complement the story nicely.

I read this book in the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on my way back home after a long trip.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. It was a little too much fiction for me based on what i had in mind when I read the title. I did like how much of the story rhymed like poetry. Which is odd since I don't really care for poetry.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, loved Shelley Gill, who came to Schuchard and signed my book.