The Cat Barked?

by Lydia Monks

In a charming "grass is always greener" fable, a cat that imagines life would be better as a dog recognizes, after some thought, the many advantages of being a feline.

Genres: Picture Books, Cats, Storytime, Animals, Childrens, Pets

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Yousra]

كتاب 📘 #يا_ليتني_كلب #iwishiwereadog
تأليف ورسوم ✍🏻🎨 #ليديا_مونكس
من إصدار #أصالة_للنشر_والتوزيع
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كتاب في منتهى الذكاء واللطف والخفة ... كتاب عن الرضا وفي نفس الوقت ففيه جانب تعليمي لا يمكن إغفاله سواء للطفل أو للأهل
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يبدأ الكتاب من الصفحة التي تلي الغلاف وفيها نجد صورا للكلاب المختلفة وقطتنا بطلة القصة بينهم واضعة قناع كلب على وجهها
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القطة قد تمردت على جنسها، تتمنى لو كانت كلبا لتتمتع بالمزايا - الحقيقية أحيانا والمضحكة أحيانا أخرى - التي يتمتع بها الكلاب ... ويبدو أنها تتحدث بصوت عالٍ فقد سمعتها صاحبتها ونهرتها عن هذه الأمنية مُعددة لها المواقف التي توضع فيها الكلاب ولا تحبها كثيرا وكذلك توضح لها امتيازات تتمتع بها القطط 😃 ... ويبدو أن صديقتنا بالغت في كل شيء فقد سمعها الكلب وشعر بالغيرة وعدم الرضا 😆😆
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الكتاب يوضح للطفل أن احساسه بالغيرة أو الرضا سيكون من وجهة نظره ورؤيته للأمور والتي قد تكون منقوصة تحتاج لتدخل من شخص عليم بنفسيته يساعده على رؤية الأمور على حقيقتها ونبذ التصورات الجانبية غير الحقيقية ... الكتاب يشرح للطفل بصورة ذكية جدا الأعمال المختلفة التي تقوم بها القطط والكلاب ... الكتاب يجعل الأهل يفكرون جيدا قبل النطق بالامتيازات والعيوب للطفل الساخط حتى لا يكون ذلك أمام الطرف الآخر فيدفعوا الآخر للسخط ... الإعتدال مفيد
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للقصة رسوم جذابة ومضحكة جدا وقد كتب النص بطريقة سهلة وسلسة توصل المعنى في قالب من الكوميديا
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القصة تناسب سن +٤
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#اقرأ_مع_يسرا #اقرأ_لطفلك #اقرأ_مع_طفلك #قصص_أطفال #كتب_أطفال #أدب_الطفل #دور_نشر_عربية

[Cleo]

Funny and perfect for younger readers. Yes, I still own picture books. No, I'm not ashamed.

[Diana Parker]

Sometimes the grass isn't always greener...cute book!

[Mills]

To read for the illustrations. Obviously not to read for the story because the idea that a cat would ever wish to be a dog is just ludicrous. LUDICROUS I tell you!

[Sabrina Show]

Title: The Cat Barked Author: Lydia Monks
How would you describe the plot? The cat is wanting to be a dog because she thinks that dogs have more fun than cats.
How would you describe the characters? The characters consist of dogs and cats. The cat is wanting to be a dog.
What is the main conflict? The dog then proceeds to tell the cat all the hard and time consuming things that dogs have to do.
What is the main theme? The cat is wanting to be a dog and doesn't realize, that it takes a lot to be a dog.
How would you describe the author’s style? There were a few rhymes in the book, and the book was also brightly colored. That makes it enjoyable for children.
What point of view does the author use? First person
Share your thoughts on the design and layout of the book. I really love how colorful the whole book is, and there are lots of pictures that describe the story.
What lessons could you teach with this text? Please provide at least two of the Arkansas State
Standards you would use in a lesson.
1)RL.1.7 and W.1.1, I would ask my students to describe the characters in the book. Then, have them write their own short story using the same characters.

What is your overall assessment of the book? I think this book is great to read to students, to kind of show them that they should be proud of who they are. Trying to be someone you are supposed to be can not always turn out good.

[Katie Cat Books]

Cats rule. Dogs drool. At least in this book.

[Diane]

A cat that imagines life would be better as a dog recognizes, after some thought, the many advantages of being a feline.

Theme: self-acceptance

[Milton Louie]

The cat wants to be a dog. Really? B

[Valleri]

We loved this book about a cat who wishes they were a dog. Humor abounds in this raucous read!

[Kallen Nelson]

Cute children’s book about staying true to yourself 💜 No need to compare yourself to someone different because what makes you YOU is special!

[Julie Rylie]

This book is just funny... I love that the first page is pictures of all these dogs and the cat infiltrate himself on it with a mask of a dog and at the end is the reverse. Graphics are super cool on this one and it's supposed to teach children that everybody has their flaws and their strengths.

[Kim]

I bought this in a bookshop in Heathrow, knowing nothing of it. My daughter wasn't yet 2 at the time; she's now 11. We both still love reading it. I have it entirely memorized. One of my favourite children's books!

[Alice Nachir]

This picture-book is full of clever images which are really creative and inspiring. I read this book one-to-one with a 9-year old boy with autism. He was thoroughly engaged in the book as it was full of humor as well as wonder- why did the cat wish to be a dog? And why did the dog wish to be a cat? I was able to discuss differences and similarities between cats and dogs with the child; for example after reading the reasons why the dog wanted to be a cat 'because cats can climb trees', we spoke about why dogs may not be able to climb like cats. The child spoke to me about his love of cats and about what he sees his cats doing at home- being able to relate to the book emotionally.

This book could be used in an art lesson- the images are abstract and interesting; as the illustrator has used a range of texture-ideas to form cats, dogs and surroundings (such as a dog made from newspaper and fur). Children could use the images to inspire them to create their own art.

It could also be used in a PSHE lesson- 'sometimes we want to be someone else/have what others have, but shouldn't we make the most of what we have?'

I enjoyed reading this book with the child and find that the humor and images help draw in the readers interest. This book is probably most suitable for KS1 and lower KS2 children.

[Sarah Sammis]

If you have more than one child or have a brother or sister, you'll understand sibling rivalry. The Cat Barked by Lydia Monks is the story of a cat who wants to be dog.

The cat sees the dog of the family going out for walks and doing basic dog things and decides that he has the ideal life. Being a dog means freedom. Dogs are cooler than cats.
The owner of the cat and dog explains to the cat all the pros of being a cat. The cat then learns all the wonderful things that a cat can do. Unfortunately for the owner, the dog was listening to this heart felt conversation.

The illustrations in The Cat Barked are bold, bright and simplistic. The cat is a neon orange tiger cat and the dog is a black terrier of sorts. The pictures are similar to those in Nick Bruel's books.

For my two kids The Cat Barked is a perfect story. They are very different people (as they should be) but want to do everything together. This can cause arguments when one wants to do something that the other hates.

[Heidi-Marie]

I know that there is a lot of talent that goes into this artistic illustration style, but I can't help finding it distracting occasionally and once in a while a bit ugly. Still, the colors and such might appeal to a young child. This could be an easy story time book. The rhyme scheme is subtle thought still present. The idea of a cat wanting to be a dog is an attention-grabber. I may have enjoyed the book more if it hadn't turned to how wonderful it is to be a cat. I'm a dog person. Don't want any pets, but I still prefer dogs to cats. I thought the very last page was a bit cute and funny, though.

[Anthony Eaton]

This is a fantastic little picture book. The story is funny, the voice enjoyable for both parents and children, there's a lovely symmetry throughout the illustrations which use collage as well as 'traditional' illustrations in a big, bold and engaging style. There's humour which works at several levels, and the subject matter - envy and the traditional rivalry between cats and dogs - is universal and easy to relate to. There's a message here, but it's not a 'message' book. Great for young and old readers alike.

[Anita]

This children's book is about a cat that wishes it was a dog. Her owner know this, but to remind her why cats are awesome she starts to name all the things a cat can do that a dog can't. For example, a cat can see in the dark and catch their own food. At the end, the cat didn't want to be a dog anymore...the dog wanted to be a cat.

I would use this book in a Science lesson, help my students start to learn the differences between animals. They could start to lost and notice the characteristics that certain animals have. Really cute book!

[Karen]

My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library last week. We have cats and a dog.

The Cat Barked is a classic "life is always better for the other species (or sibling)" story. In our house, both the cats and dogs pretty much have it made.

The story is short, with a simple rhyming scheme, and vibrant primitive artwork. It very much appeals to young children.

[Michaela]

With not too much to read, this book encourages readers to be grateful for what they have and who they are. Life isn't always greener on the other side. It has a rhyme scheme that carries over onto each page which encourages readers to keep reading to see the next word that rhymes with the last word on the previous page.

[Nojood Alsudairi]

من أجمل الكتب التي قرأتها عن تعزيز مفهوم الرضى عن النفس. أحمد الله أنني لست بقطة إذ لا أريد النوم في كل مكان

[Breana Vining]

The cat said "roof?" As confusting as it sounds, this is what the cat said. A book of acceptance, a cat feels the need to live like a dog, but the soon realizes that it's okay to be a cat!

[Paula]

Short but great story with a nice rhyme, short text.
A cat that imagines life would be better as a dog recognizes, after some thought, the many advantages of being a feline.

[Library Quine]

Cat would rather be a dog, until he is reminded of all the things that he is good at. Then it's dog's turn to wish he were something else.
Awards: Smaties Bronze Award (Under 5)- 2005

[Kayla]

Lily and Milo really liked this one, and particularly loved the sneaky illustrations on the front and back cover pages.

[Isoken]

A cat muses on why she wishes she were a dog. Then a child's voice explains why she is much better off being a cat. The strong bright colour illustrations make original use of collage.

[Melinda]

The grass is always greener on the other side.

[Catherine]

See review on my blog.

http://buildinglifelongreaders.blogsp...

[Huda Fel]

LOL (:

Thanks Dr.

[Anne Beier]

Cute story about a cat who wants to be a dog, and realizes she is happier being a cat.

[Nicola]

I really don't like that they used the word 'stupid' when referring to the dog. I'd rather my kids didn't use words like stupid or idiot thanks