You Are Not a Cat!

by Sharon G. Flake, Anna Raff (Illustrations)

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Cats, Humor, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2016

About the author

Sharon G. Flake is the author of five books, The Skin I'm In (1998), Money Hungry (2002), Begging for Change (2003), Who Am I Without Him? Short Stories About Boys and the Girls in Their Lives (2004), Bang! (Sept. 2005), and her latest novel The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street (2007).

Her work is used in public and private schools around the nation, from elementary to high school, and is often required reading in colleges for students in education, child development, children's literature and English writing programs. Beyond that, her work is also a favorite among adults and adult book club readers.

Flake and her work have won numerous awards and recognitions including: Best Books for Young Adult Readers; Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers; the New York Public Library Top Ten Books for the Teen Age; 2005 featured author in the Ninth Book of Junior Authors & Illustrators; 2005 Capitol Choices; Noteworthy Books for Children; 2004 Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Book; 2004 Texas Lone Star Award for Top Ten Books; 2002, 2004 Coretta Scott King Honor Award; Pennsylvania Council of the Arts Grant; 2004 Bank Street Best of the Year; 2004 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book; 2004 CCBC Choices; Booklist Top Ten Fantasy Book; 2004 Booklist Top Ten Romance Novels for Youth; 2004 Booklist Editor's Choice Award; 2003 Detroit Free LIbrary Author of the Year; 1999 YWCA Racial Justice Award; 1999 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award and more.

Flake's work appears on the Anti-Defamation League's website which stresses the use of children's literature to help educators address the problem of bullying in schools.

Flake was born in Philadelphia, PA, but has resided in Pittsburgh, PA with her daughter for many years. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in English. For several years she was a youth counselor for a foster care agency, after which she spent 18 years working at the University of Pittsburgh in public relations. She has written numerous articles for national publications. Prior to having her first book published, she wrote for approximately 15 years.

Reviews

[Shamekia]

This is super cute and funny and great for toddler storytime!

[Alyson]

Visiting my nephew

[Meredith]

A duck acts like a cat much to the cat's dismay and counterarguments.

I found this book puzzling. I couldn't figure out what the story's message is supposed to be. Is the duck just clowning on the cat? And the message is not to take things too seriously and waste one's time and energy? Is this supposed to be a trans- metaphor in the which the trans-duck-to-cat triumphs against his cat critic? Is the story saying that one can self-identify however one wants regardless of whether the native members of that group are offended by what they consider to be cultural appropriation? Is the duck suffering from delusional disorder since he previously thought he was a rooster and a squirrel and decides to be a cow at the end of the story? In which case, the audience shouldn't be laughing at his antics because the manifestations of mental health issues are never funny. Or is this story an illustration of the proverb not to argue with fools because bystanders might not be able to tell the difference?

[Becky]

First sentence: I am a cat. Meow. You are not a cat. You are a duck. Quack, quack.

Premise/plot: A cat and a duck quibble and fuss. Duck is definitely getting on Cat's last nerve. Duck insists that *today* he is a cat. Yesterday Duck was something else. Tomorrow Duck may be something else. But Duck is a cat...today...and insists on following Cat around.

My thoughts: Cat definitely had decided opinions on what is "regular." Cats meow. Ducks quack. End of story. Cats cannot be ducks. Ducks cannot be cats. And Cat doesn't have time for nonsense. Perhaps if Duck wasn't so insistent at being glued to his side. If Duck had gone away, far, far, away then would Cat have cared if this Duck wanted to meow? Maybe. Maybe not.

I liked this one okay. It was silly. It had humor. It's an early reader with speech bubbles.

[Serious Storytime Shenanigans]

Date: 05.09.25
Attendees: 77
Theme: Cats

Introduction and announcements: Shake my Sillies Out by Raffi

Book one: Atticus Caticus by Sarah Maizes

Song/rhyme/game one: Great Big Cat

Book two: You Are NOT a Cat! By Sharon G. Flake

Song/rhyme/game two: Action Song by The Singing Walrus

Book three: Mrs. McTats and Her Houseful of Cats by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Song/ rhyme/ game three: There’s a Dog in School

Announcements: Stuffie Sleepover

Activity: https://i2.wp.com/abcsofliteracy.com/...

[Chris Hays]

This book will be great to start discussions of behavior and what is acceptable. The duck is not the kindest of people as he annoys the cat. Yet, he is not at fault for doing what he wants. This would start many a classroom discussion which could include mimicking other students, when one behaves unlike they are supposed to, or just to start a discussion of empathizing. Thanks to the author, there is no obvious solution for children.

[Kara Marsee]

Duck likes to meow, but Cat insists duck is a duck! I like how duck adds an acorn necklace and leaf pointy ears to mimic cat, and then changes a leaf to a pirate patch to change in to a parrot. Cat becomes more and more irritated and duck takes on different voices: rooster, parrot, (“yesterday I was a squirrel”), and finally cat gives up and asks what duck will be tomorrow. Duck answers with a moo.

[Diane]

A frustrated cat tries to convince a duck that he is NOT a cat and that he should be quacking, not meowing. But the imaginative duck enjoys sounding like a cat, a parrot, "yesterday, I was a squirrel" and tomorrow ? Moo!

A fun reminder that we all can be who we want to be regardless of what others tell us we should be.

[Ashley Aolani Salisbury]

This book was very humorous and fun to read, it's just lacking in a real story ARC. We see a problem but it never gets solved in the end. I love duck's attitude throughout though. You have to admire his beliefs in being himself no matter what. Both of the characters don't seem to change, which is kind of disappointing, but this book is worth reading!!

[Katie]

A good read-a-loud story, especially if you can do two voices throughout the book. The story is about a duck who likes to pretend to be other animals, currently a cat, and a cat who insists the duck behave like a duck. Some of the humor will go over the heads of small kids, and they may not fully understand the frustration of the cat, but they can still enjoy the story.

[Lynn]

Young readers will quickly get into the banter between the cat and duck and will be reading along. Great story to practice reading with expression!

Illustrations made with sumi ink washes, and pen & pencil drawings; digitally colored.

[Esther Westfall]

My kids loved this book! They thought it was so funny. I loved it because I think it's a great way to show kids that it's okay to pretend, and be whatever they want to be. I would definitely recommend it to everyone!

[Rachel Crowe]

This book is about a cat and a duck who are constantly fighting and bickering. The duck is always trying to get on the cats nerves by meowing and trying to act like a cat all of the time. It is a cute book to show children because it will get them to laugh a lot.

[Awjtf]

Funny!

[Hallie Jackson Brackett]

2.75 stars.

I was hoping for another book like Bunnybear. This was decidedly not that but it was a cute book nevertheless.

[Sha'Tisha]

This duck has more identity issues than I do

[Sharie]

feels like sibling squabbles!

[Colorado Buck]

the duck goes around meowing and the cat gets mad about that. then it takes on other animal's sounds. it's sort of cute.

[Carolyn Jeziorski]

Good silly read aloud that showcases dialogue and punctuation. Duck pretends to be a cat, which the cat doesn’t like. I found some of the sentences to be choppy.

[Amanda Rex]

Perfection

[Rolf]

A cute story about imaginative play.

[Jessica]

A goofy duck likes to play pretend. Yesterday he was a squirrel, today he is a cat, and tomorrow he will be a cow. The cat is annoyed. This wasn't as funny as I thought it would be.

[Sally]

Funny, funny book

[Lydia Wren]

A great read aloud for the younger set with lots of funny animal noises.

[Janet]

Maggie the Monster Cat gave it a tail up and a purr.

[Suzanne]

Fans of Jon Klassen will feel right at home in this story of an imaginative duck and a very frustrated cat. Poor Cat is busy taking a catnap when up walks Duck and says, "I'm a cat, Meow." No matter how much Cat explains, even imitating the "Quack, quack," that Duck should be saying, it does no good. As it turns out, Duck enjoys pretending to be other animals - a squirrel, a rooster, etc. And how can you be angry with someone who is having such a good time?

Along with Sharon Flake's amusing story-line, Anna Raff's illustrations capture the personality and playfulness of this funny bird. As Cat tries to explain why Duck cannot be a cat, Duck is busy using natural materials to create a cat costume. An acorn on a string becomes a collar and tag, a couple of leaves become pointed ears. This is one super creative fowl.

For those who have small children that enjoy imitating animal noises, this story is a goldmine. Tiny tots can have a great time meowing, quacking, and squawking along. For readers a bit older, the growing frustration as Cat unsuccessfully tries to reason with Duck will have them giggling. And the scene of Cat stomping across a field and shouting, "Quack. Quack. Quack. Quack. Quack." will have them rolling with laughter.

If you enjoy the humor of books like. This Is Not My Hat, then you need to get a copy of You Are NOT a Cat!

I received a copy from the publisher for review purposes.

[Jill]

Super silly book about a duck who likes to pretend and a cat that wants everything to be the way it is "supposed" to be.

[Laureen]

This is a very silly book. Duck thinks he is a cat. Cat tries to convince him that No! He is a duck! But Duck continues to think he's a duck. Duck then proceeds to act like a parrot which makes Cat even angrier. Yesterday, Duck was a squirrel and tomorrow he will be a cow. Duck has a very good imagination and doesn't let anyone's opinions change how he is! The pictures are very well done and very expressive. One of the pictures of Duck has him shaking his head back and forth.

[Brittany]

If repetition and imitation drive you crazy (like me)...this is NOT the book for you!

[Becky B]

Cat is being driven crazy by a duck who claims to be a cat. The two argue back and forth with reasons why duck is or is not a cat.

This duck reminds me of Daffy Duck when he is purposefully being annoying. He’s not cute, he’s obnoxious. And cat needs to learn some reverse psychology or something; his very black and white, this is this and that is that approach gets him nowhere. I found it more annoying than funny, but not sure how kids would respond. I’m guessing they’d enjoy it more.