See the Cat: Three Stories about a Dog
by David LaRochelle
illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Candlewick Press, 2020
Ages: Preschool to Grade 3
ISBN 978–1536204278
Buy the Book
Buy the Boxed Set
Max is a dog … but why does the book keep insisting that the reader should “see the cat?” Over the course of these three short stories, Max and the book have very different ideas about the stories they wish to tell. Fortunately they’re able to reach a happy conclusion that satisfies them both … and will make young readers giggle.
Buy the Book
Buy the Boxed Set
Resources
See the free downloadable activity and extension sheets for this funny beginning reader book!
- a creative drawing sheet
- a mini book that allows YOU to be the author
- See the Cat board game (part 1) and (part 2)
You can listen to me talk about See the Cat, and hear me read part of the first story at TeachingBooks.net.
See the trailer for See the Cat: Three Stories about a Dog:
Awards and Recognition
ALSC Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
ALA Notable Children’s Books
Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Gryphon Award
CCBC Choices
Michigan’s Great Lakes Great Books Award
Star of the North Picture Book Award nominee
Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr nominee
Tennessee Volunteer Award nominee
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books
Cybils Award, Easy Readers
Nerdies Award for Early Readers
Junior Library Guild Selection
Parents magazine’s 30 Best Children’s Books
Texas 2x2 Reading List
Amazon Best Books
Reviews
“Using the predictability of traditional ‘easy reader’ books as a springboard to laugh-out-loud moments, this book is a rewarding choice for kids tackling the not-so-easy task of learning to read.” (Booklist, starred review)
“Kids will cheer for the affronted Max in this well-crafted early reader with surprising outcomes.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“The sharp humor and expressive, highly distilled gouache cartooning offer opportunities for lots of giggles, but the real joy of this stand-out beginning reader comes from watching a genuine underdog speak his truth.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
“Cartoon-style illustrations expertly support a text with repetition and simple sentences. As Max progresses from confused to canny to competent, children will find a reflection of their own reading journey as well as amusement at the metafictive aspect of a dog wrestling with a book.” (School Library Journal, starred review)
“This entertaining exploration of words, images, and how they function together to tell a story will be popular with fans of Mo Willems.” (The Horn Book)
“The book also has all the things a beginning reader needs to succeed, including words an emerging reader can decode (displayed in an accessible font); shorter sentences (the dialogue here is in speech bubbles); and brief, engaging chapters.” (Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast)
“… laugh-out-loud funny. A welcome entry into a crowded field full of too few superstars.” (Elizabeth Bird, Fuse #8)