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See the Cat #1
See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog
Move over, Spot. . . . spoofing classic primers, Max the Dog talks back to the book in a twist in this early reader.
See Max. Max is not a cat--Max is a dog. But much to Max's dismay, the book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a DOG? In a trio of stories for beginning readers, author David LaRochelle introduces Max, who lets the book know that the text is not to his liking.
See Max. Max is not a cat--Max is a dog. But much to Max's dismay, the book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a DOG? In a trio of stories for beginning readers, author David LaRochelle introduces Max, who lets the book know that the text is not to his liking.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 2020
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389 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 347 reviews
July 16, 2020
Okay that’s it, that's it, that is IT! Whose bloody idea was it to break down the fourth wall in the first place? Seriously, show me the person. Was it you? Don’t tell me to calm down either because I have a perfect right to be angry about this! Have you even SEEN the picture books coming out in the last 20 years? It’s like The Monster at the End of this Book went from cute novelty to Biblical text. Naturally most of the fault for this falls on Mo Willems and his irascible pigeon, but there’s plenty of blame to go around. For every book that breaks down the fourth wall with cleverness and aplomb (think: Press Here by Herve Tullet) there are untold hoards of imitators making a mess of things. Easy books aren’t remiss from this either, they just do it better. I suspect that this is because they have so many more limitations put on them than picture books proper. So something like We Are In a Book by Mo Willems (again) will generally work. That said, when was the last time you saw a really good, really well written beginner book? They’re hard to do, and harder still to make amusing. That’s where See the Cat comes in. It does all that stuff that bugs me, like talking directly to the readers, intrusive narrators, etc. However it is also so funny that it literally had me chortling and chuckling and having a magnificent time the whole way through. Okay, I don’t like it when books break down the fourth wall anymore, but we can let one last one squeeze on through. Just one. This one.
“See the cat”. Come again? As the dog in this book is quick to assure you, “I am not a cat. I am a dog.” So begins the first of three tiny stories that show a push-and-pull kind of relationship between a dog and the narration that accompanies him. One minute he’s being mistaken for a cat by the name of Baby Cakes, the next he’s outwitting a snake, and then finally he’s going directly against the book’s direction to establish a kind of doggish independence. Woof.
The beginner book (sometimes called the easy book) is the rare children’s literature format with a specific job in mind. It is created, specifically, to teach children how to read. This job is so important that over the years publishers have taken pains to make these books a specific size and shape. If you see a book that is approximately nine inches tall and six and a half inches wide, that book was written with beginning readers in mind. Now I think we’re all familiar with the story of how the Dick and Jane books conquered this market, allowing Dr. Seuss to came along and blow those boring old books out of the water with his own specific brand of humor and short words. What’s a little less clear is the story after that. People started copying Dr. Seuss (though he was clever enough to rope in fellow artists like P.D. Eastman and the Berenstains to help continue his specific brand of easy reading). Then some genius figured out that if you created a kind of leveling system (a system that ranks each book in terms of text complexity) you could sell schools books that were pre-leveled for different readers. These days, easy books are an amalgamation of old and new, leveled and freewheeling. And into this fray steps See the Cat. A book that deftly incorporates the humor and simplicity of those readers that came post-Seuss
If I’m going to talk about humor then I’m essentially going to dissect it like a frog on a table, killing what makes it funny. With that in mind, lemme creep a bit around the edges of this book and try to define it that way. I think that one way See the Cat succeeds is that if a parent or kid isn’t paying much attention, this looks like all the other bland, leveled books out there. A canny individual might notice the fact that the dog on the cover is at odds with the title. I myself did not pay this detail much mind, which was a good thing. I was in the perfect position to read Story Number One which is the titular See the Cat. As the narrator continually piles on details about some cat, the dog gets increasingly upset. This, for me anyway, culminates in my favorite line in the book, “The cat’s name is Baby Cakes.” I don’t know why that line rendered me a giggly mess after I saw it. Humor is subjective. All I know is that when I see someone getting annoyed and then the person annoying them piles on a detail as brilliantly stupid as “Baby Cakes”, my heart has been won.
I mentioned just now that one reason you’d pick up this book is because of the contrast between the title and the image on the cover, but in my own case I picked it up for a very different reason. After a while, you start to trust certain authors. David LaRochelle is a recipient of the Sid Fleischman Humor Award for a very good reason. Over the years he has honed both his comic timing and the art of writing books for large groups and It’s a Tiger may be his magnum opus. It’s the ultimate interactive picture book, allowing the reader the chance to scream, “IT’S A TIGER!!” in a very loud voice with copious flailing limbs, much to the delight and mild concern of the children watching. In See the Dog he scales the funnies way down but keeps some elements, like the surprise of a page turn, or the fact that if you were to read this book out loud to a child, you could modulate your voice in such a way as to make it even funnier. I like a book that gives me, the parent, options. I like a book that gives kids even more.
Interestingly, there was never a single moment when I was reading this book that I found myself wondering what it would look like with anything other than Mike Wohnoutka’s art. Wohnoutka, like Mr. LaRochelle, is a Minnesotan and the two have collaborated before on books like Moo! and This is NOT a Cat! before. I don’t know why this one struck me as magic and the others as just swell. Maybe it’s the fact that the simple words aren’t being overwhelmed by art that distracts the eye from what it’s supposed to be doing. Easy books generally have pretty simple art. And while Mr. Wohnoutka’s books aren’t usually hyper-detailed, he’s still scaled everything back so that you get the bare minimum described by the text. Plus the man makes a nice hippo. It feels like a descendant of George and Martha, and I mean that sincerely (and no hippo could receive a highly compliment).
See the Cat isn’t going to usher in some new era of beginner books for kids, but there’s something about its combination of 4th wall bursting humor and pared down design that feels fresh. And I haven’t even discussed the fact that LaRochelle plays fair with the language, never putting down a word any longer than “embarrassed”. You can hand this to a kid learning to read, absolutely. Just be warned that their read may be punctuated with interjections of a highly voluble nature. In other words, this is laugh-out-loud funny. A welcome entry into a crowded field full of too few superstars.
For ages 4-7
“See the cat”. Come again? As the dog in this book is quick to assure you, “I am not a cat. I am a dog.” So begins the first of three tiny stories that show a push-and-pull kind of relationship between a dog and the narration that accompanies him. One minute he’s being mistaken for a cat by the name of Baby Cakes, the next he’s outwitting a snake, and then finally he’s going directly against the book’s direction to establish a kind of doggish independence. Woof.
The beginner book (sometimes called the easy book) is the rare children’s literature format with a specific job in mind. It is created, specifically, to teach children how to read. This job is so important that over the years publishers have taken pains to make these books a specific size and shape. If you see a book that is approximately nine inches tall and six and a half inches wide, that book was written with beginning readers in mind. Now I think we’re all familiar with the story of how the Dick and Jane books conquered this market, allowing Dr. Seuss to came along and blow those boring old books out of the water with his own specific brand of humor and short words. What’s a little less clear is the story after that. People started copying Dr. Seuss (though he was clever enough to rope in fellow artists like P.D. Eastman and the Berenstains to help continue his specific brand of easy reading). Then some genius figured out that if you created a kind of leveling system (a system that ranks each book in terms of text complexity) you could sell schools books that were pre-leveled for different readers. These days, easy books are an amalgamation of old and new, leveled and freewheeling. And into this fray steps See the Cat. A book that deftly incorporates the humor and simplicity of those readers that came post-Seuss
If I’m going to talk about humor then I’m essentially going to dissect it like a frog on a table, killing what makes it funny. With that in mind, lemme creep a bit around the edges of this book and try to define it that way. I think that one way See the Cat succeeds is that if a parent or kid isn’t paying much attention, this looks like all the other bland, leveled books out there. A canny individual might notice the fact that the dog on the cover is at odds with the title. I myself did not pay this detail much mind, which was a good thing. I was in the perfect position to read Story Number One which is the titular See the Cat. As the narrator continually piles on details about some cat, the dog gets increasingly upset. This, for me anyway, culminates in my favorite line in the book, “The cat’s name is Baby Cakes.” I don’t know why that line rendered me a giggly mess after I saw it. Humor is subjective. All I know is that when I see someone getting annoyed and then the person annoying them piles on a detail as brilliantly stupid as “Baby Cakes”, my heart has been won.
I mentioned just now that one reason you’d pick up this book is because of the contrast between the title and the image on the cover, but in my own case I picked it up for a very different reason. After a while, you start to trust certain authors. David LaRochelle is a recipient of the Sid Fleischman Humor Award for a very good reason. Over the years he has honed both his comic timing and the art of writing books for large groups and It’s a Tiger may be his magnum opus. It’s the ultimate interactive picture book, allowing the reader the chance to scream, “IT’S A TIGER!!” in a very loud voice with copious flailing limbs, much to the delight and mild concern of the children watching. In See the Dog he scales the funnies way down but keeps some elements, like the surprise of a page turn, or the fact that if you were to read this book out loud to a child, you could modulate your voice in such a way as to make it even funnier. I like a book that gives me, the parent, options. I like a book that gives kids even more.
Interestingly, there was never a single moment when I was reading this book that I found myself wondering what it would look like with anything other than Mike Wohnoutka’s art. Wohnoutka, like Mr. LaRochelle, is a Minnesotan and the two have collaborated before on books like Moo! and This is NOT a Cat! before. I don’t know why this one struck me as magic and the others as just swell. Maybe it’s the fact that the simple words aren’t being overwhelmed by art that distracts the eye from what it’s supposed to be doing. Easy books generally have pretty simple art. And while Mr. Wohnoutka’s books aren’t usually hyper-detailed, he’s still scaled everything back so that you get the bare minimum described by the text. Plus the man makes a nice hippo. It feels like a descendant of George and Martha, and I mean that sincerely (and no hippo could receive a highly compliment).
See the Cat isn’t going to usher in some new era of beginner books for kids, but there’s something about its combination of 4th wall bursting humor and pared down design that feels fresh. And I haven’t even discussed the fact that LaRochelle plays fair with the language, never putting down a word any longer than “embarrassed”. You can hand this to a kid learning to read, absolutely. Just be warned that their read may be punctuated with interjections of a highly voluble nature. In other words, this is laugh-out-loud funny. A welcome entry into a crowded field full of too few superstars.
For ages 4-7
February 22, 2021
The Theodore Seuss Geisel Award-winning See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog is a very clever riff on the classic easy reader formula. You know you’re in for a real treat from the first pages, in which the text states ‘See the Cat’ and a dog character responds ‘I am not a cat. I am a dog.’ This entertaining dispute between the dog and the narrator continues through all three stories, with the narrator erroneously claiming that the dog’s name is Baby Cakes and later declaring that a hippo will sit on the dog if he doesn’t perform tricks. I was laughing the entire time.
LaRochelle and Wohnoutka are clearly having a lot of fun toying with expectations, and young readers will love feeling like they are in on the joke. See the Cat is great entertainment and a great easy reader—the text is perfect for the beginning reader and the story will amuse any adult reading along.
-John D.
Click here to find the book at the Prince William Public Libraries.
LaRochelle and Wohnoutka are clearly having a lot of fun toying with expectations, and young readers will love feeling like they are in on the joke. See the Cat is great entertainment and a great easy reader—the text is perfect for the beginning reader and the story will amuse any adult reading along.
-John D.
Click here to find the book at the Prince William Public Libraries.
January 28, 2021
This year's Geisel winner is accessible to most beginning readers and entertaining to everyone. I chuckled throughout the book. It just shows that early readers do not have to be drab and boring. It also promotes self-advocating and problem-solving.
April 14, 2021
Not too many authors and illustrators do this sort of book well, let alone make it hysterically funny! This dynamic artist/author duo carry it off. From the first chapter with an indignant dog pointing out he isn’t a cat to the last argument between dog and BOOK, this is laugh out loud funny! Often this reaching beyond the physical limitations of a book is called breaking the 4th wall. It is a delight in this book! It went over my toddler grandson’s head but maybe in a few more years it will amuse him. Highly recommended for kindergartners and primary graders!
June 14, 2021
This book is hilarious! Its a fun beginning reader for kids that parents will love, too! The dog in the story isn’t happy that the cat is the hero. So much fun!
May 5, 2025
Kind of a new take on this genre
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October 6, 2020So, so funny! This meta beginning reader will be a hit with readers of Elephant and Piggie. It starts with the narrator describing a cat, while the dog in the illustrations is understandably confused and indignant. From there, the dog interacts with the narration in each of the three short stories. Short, simple, easy text. Buy multiples because you're going to want to hand this to your Mo Willems fans.
December 5, 2020
Richie’s Picks: SEE THE CAT: THREE STORIES ABOUT A DOG by David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka, ill., Candlewick, September 2020, 64p., ISBN: 978-1-5362-0427-8
The “fourth wall” refers to the imaginary wall, defined by the proscenium in a theater, which separates the actors on stage from the audience.
“‘Breaking the fourth wall’ is actually a more colloquial term for metareference, which is defined on Wikipedia as a ‘situation in a work of fiction whereby characters display an awareness that they are in such a work, such as a film, television show or book, and possibly that they are being observed by an audience.’”
-- Jordan Schroeder, “Breaking the Fourth Wall” (2016)
Often, when the fourth wall is broken, it is for comedic effect. In recent children’s literature, Mo Willems’ WE ARE IN A BOOK! is a perfectly hysterical example. SEE THE CAT: THREE STORIES ABOUT A DOG, which satirizes the formulaic leveled readers of my own childhood, is another hilarious early reader that leverages this strategy for big laughs.
In the lead-off story, the main character is responds indignantly to the unseen narrator:
“See the cat.
‘I am not a cat. I am a dog.’
See the blue cat.
‘I am NOT blue and I am NOT a cat.’
The blue cat is in a green dress.
‘I do not have a green dress!’
The cat’s name is Baby Cakes.
‘That is NOT my name! My name is Max!’
See the blue cat in a green dress riding a pink unicorn.
‘There is no cat! There is no dress! There is no unicorn! There is just me, MAX the DOG!’
The punchline is wordless: The next couple of two-page spreads show a smiling blue cat in a green dress, riding a pink unicorn. The cat passes through the scene and is gone. Max is red-faced in response.
The second story involves Max and the appearance of a snake. The final story begins with the narrator narrating various dog-like (and some un-doglike) actions in which Max is supposed to be engaging. But Max doesn’t want any part of it! Max wants a nap. The narrator threatens to have a purple hippo sit on Max if he doesn’t comply. Max ups the ante by threatening to leave the book. The momentary standoff--and the book--conclude with Max finally getting what he wants.
“Sleep well, dog.
‘Thank you, book.’”
In Mike Wohnoutka’s wonderful gouache illustrations, Max is expressive and comedic. And the sight of that cat flying across the stage on the unicorn is beyond what one could imagine.
SEE THE CAT is an absolute blast. Don’t miss it!
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
The “fourth wall” refers to the imaginary wall, defined by the proscenium in a theater, which separates the actors on stage from the audience.
“‘Breaking the fourth wall’ is actually a more colloquial term for metareference, which is defined on Wikipedia as a ‘situation in a work of fiction whereby characters display an awareness that they are in such a work, such as a film, television show or book, and possibly that they are being observed by an audience.’”
-- Jordan Schroeder, “Breaking the Fourth Wall” (2016)
Often, when the fourth wall is broken, it is for comedic effect. In recent children’s literature, Mo Willems’ WE ARE IN A BOOK! is a perfectly hysterical example. SEE THE CAT: THREE STORIES ABOUT A DOG, which satirizes the formulaic leveled readers of my own childhood, is another hilarious early reader that leverages this strategy for big laughs.
In the lead-off story, the main character is responds indignantly to the unseen narrator:
“See the cat.
‘I am not a cat. I am a dog.’
See the blue cat.
‘I am NOT blue and I am NOT a cat.’
The blue cat is in a green dress.
‘I do not have a green dress!’
The cat’s name is Baby Cakes.
‘That is NOT my name! My name is Max!’
See the blue cat in a green dress riding a pink unicorn.
‘There is no cat! There is no dress! There is no unicorn! There is just me, MAX the DOG!’
The punchline is wordless: The next couple of two-page spreads show a smiling blue cat in a green dress, riding a pink unicorn. The cat passes through the scene and is gone. Max is red-faced in response.
The second story involves Max and the appearance of a snake. The final story begins with the narrator narrating various dog-like (and some un-doglike) actions in which Max is supposed to be engaging. But Max doesn’t want any part of it! Max wants a nap. The narrator threatens to have a purple hippo sit on Max if he doesn’t comply. Max ups the ante by threatening to leave the book. The momentary standoff--and the book--conclude with Max finally getting what he wants.
“Sleep well, dog.
‘Thank you, book.’”
In Mike Wohnoutka’s wonderful gouache illustrations, Max is expressive and comedic. And the sight of that cat flying across the stage on the unicorn is beyond what one could imagine.
SEE THE CAT is an absolute blast. Don’t miss it!
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
August 1, 2021
First sentence: See the Cat.
Premise/plot: The dog has a bit of an argument with the narrator in this FUN and FEISTY beginner reader. It all starts with a simple little sentence--hardly unique to any beginner reader--see the cat. The problem? The cat is no where to be seen.
Narrator: See the cat.
Dog: I am not a cat. I am a dog.
Narrator: See the blue cat.
Dog: I am not blue and I am not a cat.
Narrator: The blue cat is in a green dress.
Dog: I do not have a green dress!
Narrator: The cat's name is Baby Cakes.
Dog: That is NOT my name. My name is Max.
Narrator: See the blue cat in a green dress riding a pink unicorn.
Dog: There is no cat! There is no dress! There is no unicorn! There is just me, Max the dog!
You get the idea. There are THREE stories in all. All involve Max the dog and the narrator. The stories are "See the Cat," "See the Snake," and "See the Dog."
My thoughts: It was LOVE, LOVE, LOVE at first sight. Within the first few pages I knew this book was made for me. It is just my cup of tea. Everything about it is just perfectly perfectly perfect. It's the exact kind of book that I would have read to tatters and had every single word memorized.
Highly recommended. I hope that I get a chance to read the companion book, See the Dog, Three Stories about a Cat which releases in September 2021.
Premise/plot: The dog has a bit of an argument with the narrator in this FUN and FEISTY beginner reader. It all starts with a simple little sentence--hardly unique to any beginner reader--see the cat. The problem? The cat is no where to be seen.
Narrator: See the cat.
Dog: I am not a cat. I am a dog.
Narrator: See the blue cat.
Dog: I am not blue and I am not a cat.
Narrator: The blue cat is in a green dress.
Dog: I do not have a green dress!
Narrator: The cat's name is Baby Cakes.
Dog: That is NOT my name. My name is Max.
Narrator: See the blue cat in a green dress riding a pink unicorn.
Dog: There is no cat! There is no dress! There is no unicorn! There is just me, Max the dog!
You get the idea. There are THREE stories in all. All involve Max the dog and the narrator. The stories are "See the Cat," "See the Snake," and "See the Dog."
My thoughts: It was LOVE, LOVE, LOVE at first sight. Within the first few pages I knew this book was made for me. It is just my cup of tea. Everything about it is just perfectly perfectly perfect. It's the exact kind of book that I would have read to tatters and had every single word memorized.
Highly recommended. I hope that I get a chance to read the companion book, See the Dog, Three Stories about a Cat which releases in September 2021.
January 11, 2021
There have been some really well-done meta picture books in the past, but I've become more wary of them as it seems to have become a bandwagon that all kinds of people are jumping on, and not everyone does it well -- some end up trying way too hard to be cute or funny. But this is one of the good ones. It's short and simple, but makes the most of its limited word count, and even pits the book against the main character in the third story. It was fun to read with my kids, and I like it when I can actually laugh at a picture book with them, especially a beginning reader book, without groaning or rolling my eyes.
March 9, 2021
This is the kind of book I delighted in share-reading with my young kids in or around kindergarten. It's self-referential and kind of meta, and the illustrations do as much work as the text. The words are simple but not boring, and the humor is a little bit sly. Sometimes the dog wins, sometimes the kitty named Baby Cakes wins, but the reader always gets the prize. It's also a good book for siblings to read together.
February 1, 2021
So funny. The book is the narrator of this story and has a storyline that runs contrary to what is occurring in the picture of the dog on the right hand side of the story, or sometimes acts against the dog's wishes (putting a snake under the dog, or having the text saying the dog is flying when the dog just wants to take a nap). Until the dog takes matters into his own hands. Very funny. Kids will love this one.
January 14, 2021
You know something's up when the book is called See the Cat and there's a dog on the cover. Hilarity ensues. This book is just right for very early readers. Along the same lines as the Elephant and Piggie books, except it's about a dog. Or, is it about a cat? Hmmm. Very fun.
November 12, 2021
2020. Fiction. Geisel Award winner. This book would be read during community circle. It is a good book to introduce students to humor that can be used in writing books. This book consists of three funny short stories, each of which show contradictions within the text and Max the dog. Students will have opportunity to predict what happens next and will often be met with a surprising twist.
September 25, 2022
This book is easy for kids to read and reminds me a little bit of the Elephant and Piggie books in that it’s funny and also easy for kids to practice expression with. My 6yo enjoyed reading it to me!
September 26, 2020
A fun beginning reader
February 17, 2021
Super cute and easy to read. Great for beginning readers.
February 28, 2021
A very funny book for early readers.
March 18, 2021
Induced lots of giggles from my 4 year old!
April 24, 2021
For the easy reader looking to branch out from Elephant and Piggie or dog and humor easy reader requests.
A dog gets in some arguments with the book.
A dog gets in some arguments with the book.
December 6, 2021
I loved this book and it's ability to break down the fourth wall. This was definitely made for younger kids because it is an easy read, so I definitely recommend it for young students to read and have in the class room.
March 25, 2023
Cute book! Great to read out loud. Kids will love when the dog breaks the fourth wall and talks to them. 4 stars
June 27, 2020
Delightful! Fans of Elephant and Piggie will definitely enjoy See the Cat. I loved it!
February 1, 2021
A clever early reader
February 11, 2021
When you hear the voices in your head as you read, you know you are onto a winner. Such great expressiveness for so few words are packed into this book which would make a great read aloud or readers theater for two people. Loved it.
May 11, 2021
It feels strange to give 5 stars to a reader, but this was perfect for my newly-6-year-old. He roared with laughter a couple times - seconds after reading a sentence when he got the joke! It was a fun experience all around - he didn't even know he could read it! Cute stories, fun pictures.
November 11, 2022
Silly, attention-grabbing, metaficton (appeal terms from NoveList) - Emma
May 7, 2021
Highly recommend!
In my opinion, this is the PERFECT reader!
In my opinion, this is the PERFECT reader!
November 23, 2023
See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog (2020)
Award: Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (2021)
"See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog" by David LaRochelle is a humorous and clever picture book that plays with the concept of storytelling. The book presents three different stories, each beginning with the same basic sentence, but with hilariously different outcomes. Through playful and imaginative storytelling, LaRochelle engages young readers and encourages them to think creatively about narrative possibilities. With its repetitive structure and whimsical illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka, "See the Cat" is an entertaining and interactive read for children, fostering an appreciation for storytelling and the joy of using one's imagination.
Award: Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (2021)
"See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog" by David LaRochelle is a humorous and clever picture book that plays with the concept of storytelling. The book presents three different stories, each beginning with the same basic sentence, but with hilariously different outcomes. Through playful and imaginative storytelling, LaRochelle engages young readers and encourages them to think creatively about narrative possibilities. With its repetitive structure and whimsical illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka, "See the Cat" is an entertaining and interactive read for children, fostering an appreciation for storytelling and the joy of using one's imagination.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 347 reviews