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I Am the Dog, I Am the Cat
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.
28 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1994
About the author
Donald Hall
188 books201 followersDonald Hall was considered one of the major American poets of his generation.
His poetry explores the longing for a more bucolic past and reflects the poet’s abiding reverence for nature. Although Hall gained early success with his first collection, Exiles and Marriages (1955), his later poetry is generally regarded as the best of his career. Often compared favorably with such writers as James Dickey, Robert Bly, and James Wright, Hall used simple, direct language to evoke surrealistic imagery. In addition to his poetry, Hall built a respected body of prose that includes essays, short fiction, plays, and children’s books. Hall, who lived on the New Hampshire farm he visited in summers as a boy, was also noted for the anthologies he has edited and is a popular teacher, speaker, and reader of his own poems.
Born in 1928, Hall grew up in Hamden, Connecticut. The Hall household was marked by a volatile father and a mother who was “steadier, maybe with more access to depths because there was less continual surface,” as Hall explained in an essay for Contemporary Authors Autobiography Series (CAAS). “To her I owe my fires, to my father my tears. I owe them both for their reading.” By age twelve, Hall had discovered the poet and short story writer Edgar Allan Poe: “I read Poe and my life changed,” he remarked in CAAS. Another strong influence in Hall’s early years was his maternal great-grandfather’s farm in New Hampshire, where he spent many summers. Decades later, he bought the same farm and settled there as a full-time writer and poet.
Hall attended Philips Exeter Academy and had his first poem published at age 16. He was a participant at the prestigious Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference, where he met Robert Frost, that same year. From Exeter, Hall went to Harvard University, attending class alongside Adrienne Rich, Robert Bly, Frank O’Hara, and John Ashbery; he also studied for a year with Archibald MacLeish. Hall earned a BLitt from Oxford University and won the Newdigate contest for his poem “Exile,” one of the few Americans ever to win the prize. Returning to the United States, Hall spent a year at Stanford, studying under the poet-critic Yvor Winters, before returning to Harvard to join the prestigious Society of Fellows. It was there that Hall assembled Exiles and Marriages, a tightly-structured collection crafted in rigid rhyme and meter. In 1953, Hall also became the poetry editor of the Paris Review, a position he held until 1961. In 1957 he took a position as assistant professor of English at the University of Michigan, where he remained until 1975. While at Michigan, Hall met the young Jane Kenyon. They later married and, when Hall’s grandmother, who owned Eagle Pond Farm, passed away, bought the farm, left teaching, and moved there together. The collections Kicking the Leaves (1978) and The Happy Man (1986) reflect Hall’s happiness at his return to the family farm, a place rich with memories and links to his past. Many of the poems explore and celebrate the continuity between generations. The Happy Man won the Lenore Marshall/Nation Prize. Hall’s next book, The One Day (1988), won the National Book Critics Circle Award. A long poem that meditates on the on-set of old age, The One Day, like much of Hall’s early work, takes shape under formal pressure: composed of 110 stanzas, split over three sections, its final sections are written in blank verse. The critic Frederick Pollack praised the book as possibly “the last masterpiece of American Modernism. Any poet who seeks to surpass this genre should study it; any reader who has lost interest in contemporary poetry should read it.” Old and New Poems (1990) contains several traditional poems from earlier collections, as well as more innovative verses not previously published. “Baseball,” included in The Museum of Clear Ideas (1993), is the poet’s ode to the great American pastime and is structured around t
His poetry explores the longing for a more bucolic past and reflects the poet’s abiding reverence for nature. Although Hall gained early success with his first collection, Exiles and Marriages (1955), his later poetry is generally regarded as the best of his career. Often compared favorably with such writers as James Dickey, Robert Bly, and James Wright, Hall used simple, direct language to evoke surrealistic imagery. In addition to his poetry, Hall built a respected body of prose that includes essays, short fiction, plays, and children’s books. Hall, who lived on the New Hampshire farm he visited in summers as a boy, was also noted for the anthologies he has edited and is a popular teacher, speaker, and reader of his own poems.
Born in 1928, Hall grew up in Hamden, Connecticut. The Hall household was marked by a volatile father and a mother who was “steadier, maybe with more access to depths because there was less continual surface,” as Hall explained in an essay for Contemporary Authors Autobiography Series (CAAS). “To her I owe my fires, to my father my tears. I owe them both for their reading.” By age twelve, Hall had discovered the poet and short story writer Edgar Allan Poe: “I read Poe and my life changed,” he remarked in CAAS. Another strong influence in Hall’s early years was his maternal great-grandfather’s farm in New Hampshire, where he spent many summers. Decades later, he bought the same farm and settled there as a full-time writer and poet.
Hall attended Philips Exeter Academy and had his first poem published at age 16. He was a participant at the prestigious Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference, where he met Robert Frost, that same year. From Exeter, Hall went to Harvard University, attending class alongside Adrienne Rich, Robert Bly, Frank O’Hara, and John Ashbery; he also studied for a year with Archibald MacLeish. Hall earned a BLitt from Oxford University and won the Newdigate contest for his poem “Exile,” one of the few Americans ever to win the prize. Returning to the United States, Hall spent a year at Stanford, studying under the poet-critic Yvor Winters, before returning to Harvard to join the prestigious Society of Fellows. It was there that Hall assembled Exiles and Marriages, a tightly-structured collection crafted in rigid rhyme and meter. In 1953, Hall also became the poetry editor of the Paris Review, a position he held until 1961. In 1957 he took a position as assistant professor of English at the University of Michigan, where he remained until 1975. While at Michigan, Hall met the young Jane Kenyon. They later married and, when Hall’s grandmother, who owned Eagle Pond Farm, passed away, bought the farm, left teaching, and moved there together. The collections Kicking the Leaves (1978) and The Happy Man (1986) reflect Hall’s happiness at his return to the family farm, a place rich with memories and links to his past. Many of the poems explore and celebrate the continuity between generations. The Happy Man won the Lenore Marshall/Nation Prize. Hall’s next book, The One Day (1988), won the National Book Critics Circle Award. A long poem that meditates on the on-set of old age, The One Day, like much of Hall’s early work, takes shape under formal pressure: composed of 110 stanzas, split over three sections, its final sections are written in blank verse. The critic Frederick Pollack praised the book as possibly “the last masterpiece of American Modernism. Any poet who seeks to surpass this genre should study it; any reader who has lost interest in contemporary poetry should read it.” Old and New Poems (1990) contains several traditional poems from earlier collections, as well as more innovative verses not previously published. “Baseball,” included in The Museum of Clear Ideas (1993), is the poet’s ode to the great American pastime and is structured around t
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 26, 2016
The text is neither a dialogue nor a narrative, but a choppy list. I've enjoyed other poetry by Hall, but not this one so much. The pictures seem straightforward to me, too, nothing special. Also, please, if you're expecting a delivery, restrain your dog before the carrier trips and gets hurt. Two stars means 'it was ok' and that's how much I appreciated this book.
May 16, 2010
I am the Dog, I am the Cat by Donald Hall was one of Harriet's library choices. It's a free verse alternating voice story told by a dog and a cat. Think of it as a call and response or a dialogue between two unlikely friends.
Donald Hall is a well known poet who has also written eleven children's books. I am the Dog, I am the Cat is his fifth such book. His skill as a poet comes through when the book is read aloud (as all picture books are in this family).
For instance, the dog brags:
"Dog: Cats just don't care.
Only a dog
is a the same time
dignified,
guilty,
sprightly,
obedient,
friendly,
vigilant,
and soulful "
Coupled with Halls' poetry are Barry Moser's gorgeous illustrations that are lifelike and full of warmth. We had a few flips through the book just to admire the pictures.
I am the Dog, I am the Cat is a perfect picture book for preschoolers who are growing up with cats and dogs.
Donald Hall is a well known poet who has also written eleven children's books. I am the Dog, I am the Cat is his fifth such book. His skill as a poet comes through when the book is read aloud (as all picture books are in this family).
For instance, the dog brags:
"Dog: Cats just don't care.
Only a dog
is a the same time
dignified,
guilty,
sprightly,
obedient,
friendly,
vigilant,
and soulful "
Coupled with Halls' poetry are Barry Moser's gorgeous illustrations that are lifelike and full of warmth. We had a few flips through the book just to admire the pictures.
I am the Dog, I am the Cat is a perfect picture book for preschoolers who are growing up with cats and dogs.
December 12, 2012
Captures the essence of dog and cat without making the dog seem like a brainless sop or the cat like a malevolent overlord. This is a surprisingly difficult line to toe. Naturally, one can count on Donald Hall to be up to the task.
Also, this otherwise timeless book includes the now quaint anachronism of " the VCR" which I had to explain to my children.
Also, this otherwise timeless book includes the now quaint anachronism of " the VCR" which I had to explain to my children.
December 6, 2018
So funny, with lifelike illustrations in vivid color, and very accurate descriptions of each species of pet, in their own voices (the cat is sardonic; the dog, friendly). My favorite line is from the cat, describing his housemate: "The dog amuses me. He cares about what people think! I wash his muzzle." Will amuse adults and children alike as they recognize the traits of their own beloved pets.
May 5, 2019
I am someone who really enjoys animals, especially cats and dogs. I gave this book three out of five stars due to how the author seperated the cats' and dogs' thoughts on each situation they were faced with, or how they went about their daily lives. The author showed with their words on what each animal was feeling, and you could hear a sassy cat and a joyful dog.
Reading Level:
Guided Reading: L
Lexile: 800L
Trait: organization
Reading Level:
Guided Reading: L
Lexile: 800L
Trait: organization
January 28, 2020
This would be great to get students familiar with many things like different backgrounds and authority.You could split up the room and make one side be the cat while the other side is the dogs. You could ask them questions like what makes you different from one another but what are some similarities. They will be able to learn that while we all have our differences we can relate to one another by one thing or another.
February 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I think that this is a great book to read at the beginning of the year to get a feel for what you are in for the rest of the year. A way I would keep this book going throughout the year is have a wall where is says cat or dog, and when the students walk in the morning they can put their name on the cat or dog. This will help tell me how the students mood is when they come into the classroom, and what steps I need to take with them individually throughout the day.
September 29, 2023
What, dogs and cats are different from each other?
Really?
Enter poet Donald Hall beloved children's book illustrator Bary Moser. With their help we can...
COMPARE AND CONTRAST
Since the author alternates DOG point of view from CAT point of view, we readers can do the compare and contrast for ourselves.
My favorite lines come from CAT:
Nothing frightens me.
It's not that I am brave.
It's just that nothing
frightens me.
Magnificent book. FIVE STARS, of course.
Really?
Enter poet Donald Hall beloved children's book illustrator Bary Moser. With their help we can...
COMPARE AND CONTRAST
Since the author alternates DOG point of view from CAT point of view, we readers can do the compare and contrast for ourselves.
My favorite lines come from CAT:
Nothing frightens me.
It's not that I am brave.
It's just that nothing
frightens me.
Magnificent book. FIVE STARS, of course.
February 5, 2020
This book can bring good in the classroom to figure out your students. I would use it to figure out whether or not my kids are a dog or a cat. The point behind that is if you student may think they are a dog it could also say that are more energetic and want to play a lot as well as having trouble focusing. Where as the cat people are more laid back and tired.
February 5, 2020
I am the Dog, I am the Cat is a wonderful book to read on the first day of school to get to know your students. Reading this book and then separating your students into two groups of; who are the dog people and who are the cat people will help the teacher understand the student's personalities. This book also explains to the students more about features about dogs and cats.
February 6, 2020
I Am The Dog, I Am The Cat by Donald Hall and Barry Moser is about a dog and a cat talking about some of the things they do throughout the day. The reader realizes pretty quickly that these two animals are very different. I would use this in my classroom to explain to my students that everyone is unique and just because someone is not like you does not mean they are “weird.”
February 7, 2020
This book is a great representation of the differences between cats and dogs. The explanations of each animal are realistic and humorous for young children. This book can be implemented in a classroom by changing the topic to discuss the differences between historic, science, or even personal discussions.
March 7, 2024
A call and response type poem or conversation between 2 pets about their duties and responsibilities around the home. While the topic of dogs and cats is timeless, some of the vocabulary here does not age well (text is 30 years old). I could see readers asking about a fireplug (picture clue for this one) or VCR as a warm place for the cat to sleep. Very nice large object watercolors.
Read
February 3, 2020I would use this in my classroom as a comparison. I would ask who like dogs and who likes cats and have similar likes group up and have them talk about why they likes those animals. I would then have them say what they may like about the other animal that they didn't choose.
February 5, 2020
I loved this book because you can do a fun activity with it to determine the attitude of a child, which will enable you to serve their needs in the classroom. It is a great book that also gives a persons view of what a dog and cat may be thinking and how they would act in situations.
July 25, 2023
This book was recommended to me and fellow teachers at a PD this summer.
This book is rich in its ability to create voice and model stark differences in perspective. This would be a fun model text, like "The Most Important Thing," for students to use in creating their own writing.
This book is rich in its ability to create voice and model stark differences in perspective. This would be a fun model text, like "The Most Important Thing," for students to use in creating their own writing.
February 1, 2018
I think it was a good book and it was funny.
August 12, 2018
A nice children's book about the nature by the poet.
October 2, 2019
I thought this book did a great job of explaining the different ways these two animals see the world. My kid found it a little on the long side.
November 23, 2019
Hall dedicated this book to his granddaughters. Pleasant illustrations by Barry Moser.
February 6, 2020
I would read this book to get to know my students and have them use social skills. We would do an activity that involves them getting into groups and engaging in discussion.
Read
March 21, 2020Good comparison of the differences between dogs and cats.
Use to emphasize that we are all different from each other.
Use to emphasize that we are all different from each other.
June 27, 2024
I love how well the author gets in the head of dogs and cats and shows us the difference.
March 17, 2020
I found this book quite funny as it talked in perspectives of the cat and the dog. It seemed accurate and humorous and had great pictures. The style of text was written in a poem format. This book would be great for comparing similarities and differences.
Traits: word choice, written craft
NP
ATOS: 3.1
Traits: word choice, written craft
NP
ATOS: 3.1
March 5, 2020
This book is entertaining and you get to hear the thoughts of a cat and a dog. This is a great book to teach children about voice!
Lexile: NP
GR: L
Trait: Voice
Lexile: NP
GR: L
Trait: Voice
March 20, 2020
I'm sure if you are an animal lover you'll appreciate the humor of this book - especially if you have both a dog and a cat and get a kick out of watching them interact.
Ages: 4 - 8
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Ages: 4 - 8
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
June 13, 2010
I am the Dog, I am the Cat, written by Donald Hall tells the story of the difference between a dog and a cat. It also talks about what dogs and cats like to do. The author does an excellent job in explaining what life is like for a dog and a cat. Readers will enjoy this book because dogs and cats are their pets and best friends. Children can learn about what life is like for dogs and cats. They can also learn what their differences and similarities. The author uses some big words which may be hard for children to understand and sound out when reading. Illustrations by Barry Moser are absolutely beautiful portraits which make pictures easy for children to recognize. The illustrations use a variety of colors and shapes which help children feel up close and personal with what is happening in the story. This book is perfect for children 4 to 8 years of age.
December 18, 2012
I chose to order and read this book because of the author and illustrator names. I'm currently becoming interested in some of Donald Hall's adult reads, including poetry; I went to school with Barry Moser and wanted to see his illustrative work - which is nice but not as outstanding in this book as some other examples I've seen. Likewise, I thought the "story line" (if you can call it that) is somewhat more simplistic than I expected, even given the title and its obvious implications. In all a perfectly nice little book with nice pictures, but not the most outstanding child's book OR dog versus cat book I've ever run across.
May 3, 2020
Trait: Voice, Organization
ATOS: 3.1
Lexile: 520L
The best part of this book is that it switches back and forth between the perspectives of the dog and the cat. Reading this book by myself was not very entertaining; I think this book would be a great reading station book where students listen to an audio recording of the book.
ATOS: 3.1
Lexile: 520L
The best part of this book is that it switches back and forth between the perspectives of the dog and the cat. Reading this book by myself was not very entertaining; I think this book would be a great reading station book where students listen to an audio recording of the book.
September 7, 2016
one of my all time favorite cat books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews