Dog vs. Cat

by Chris Gall

Dog and Cat do not get along. But when they're forced to share a room, they agree to be on their best behavior...until Dog won't stop sniffing . Cat won't stop primping . Dog won't stop howling . Cat won't stop scratching . And when it comes to the litter-box...sharing is not an option!



What will it take to bring Dog and Cat together? Find out in Chris Gall's comic clash that brings out the best (and worst) in two very different pets.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Cats, Childrens, Humor, Animals, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2014

About the author

Chris Gall has been drawing pictures for as long as he can remember. When he was caught doodling on his desk in second grade, his teacher suggested that he might become an artist some day, then made him clean all the desks in the classroom. In seventh grade, Chris won a Read Magazine Young Writers Award, and that inspired him to create stories to go with his art. After graduating from the University of Arizona, Chris became an award-winning, internationally recognized illustrator, and his artwork has been shown in almost every publication in America, including Time, Newsweek, People, Fortune, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.

In 2004, his first picture book, America the Beautiful, became a Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of the Year, and his career in children’s publishing began. Since then he has authored and/or illustrated 16 more books, including the acclaimed Dinotrux, a 2009 Publishers Weekly Best Children’s book; Revenge of the Dinotrux; Awesome Dawson; Substitute Creacher; Dog Vs. Cat and The Littlest Train. For grownups, he also illustrated and designed the PDT Cocktail Book, the 2012 Best New Cocktail Book, awarded by Tales of the Cocktail.

Chris has also worked as an adjunct professor of art at the University of Arizona and spent four years as a professional stand-up comedian. He currently lives in Tucson, Arizona, where in his spare time he works as a volunteer for the Southern Arizona Rescue Association (Pima County Search and Rescue).

In August of 2015, after 5 years of development, Dreamworks Animation brought Dinotrux to Netflix as an animated television show for children.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog and cat live up to their stereotypes all while trying to coexist in one room. Will they always be at odds or will they find some common ground? Dare we ask, will they become friends?

Pictures and words combine to tell an entertaining story that kids will love. The fabulous detailed illustrations bring even more humor to the adult reader. A fun, enjoyable read!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little story, perfect for the end of a busy day with Neo! When Mr. and Mrs. Button each arrive home with a family pet, there is a major learning curve. Dog and Cat could not be more different, though they are forced to share a room. While Dog is laid back, Cat is quite refined, which can only cause significant headaches for all involved. They battle it out and do their best to create strong divisions, at least until a new and unique ‘pet’ arrives to share their space. Then it’s teamwork all the way, honing in on a common enemy. Neo quite liked this piece, laughing at some of the side comments embedded into the illustrations. He’d surely be able to read it on his own, but wanted to sit back, laugh, and enjoy the adventure.

[Jocelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Peter Venkman said it best in Ghostbusters, "Dogs & Cats living together mass hysteria". This book features two old nemesis finding themselves at odds with one another. The dog and cat in the story must find a way to get along and live in peace. It is funny and creative story about friendship, cooperative living and bringing closure to history's greatest battle (not really).

[Mariah Roze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever ending to the book!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forced to share the same space when their human companions bring them home, Dog and Cat try their best to get along. But their personalities and habits are just so different, and they end up driving each other crazy. But the introduction of another interloper forces them to forge an uneasy alliance as they seek to escape its noises and smells. The illustrations, created with colored pencils, are filled with amusing scenes of the battle that rages between Dog and Cat as both engage in guerilla warfare. This is a great read aloud, guaranteed to evoke laughter from its hearers. There are several wonderful elements worth noticing among the book titles and conversations between Dog and Cat. My personal favorite among the illustrations shows Cat with several balloons attached to his body from static electricity.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can these two pets live together? At first, they try to be "adult about it", but they begin getting on each other's nerves because "Their habits were very different." So, they try to frame each other for crimes that might get them kicked out of the house. Finally, they build a wall to separate their room. Funny, though, that they start to miss each other. They did have some fun times before the wall. So, when a new "pet" arrives, they work together to build an elaborate sanctuary.

The age old argument of which pet is better comes alive in this great picture book. I love the detailed illustrations that add a lot of humor to the story. Under the surface, it's a story about being different but still being able to get along with each other. A definite addition to my school library collection.

[Maddy Spoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I have never laughed so hard when reading a picture book as an adult. It is the story of a couple who get a dog and a cat at the same time and make them share a room and absolute chaos ensues. The dog and the cat constantly fight and pull pranks on each other. I love the illustrations in this book because they tell much more of the story than the words do. You really get a feel of the dog's and the cat's personalities and you love them both for fighting so much. Eventually the dog and the cat call a truce and become friends, but then at the end there is a new twist: a baby moves into their room! I love this book because of its humor. It is also easy to relate to if you have ever had a sibling you argued with all of the time. I definitely want this book in my future classroom.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous story about a rescued dog and a rescued cat cohabiting, fighting, making peace and then having to make room for a baby. As in his previous books, there are lots of bits of visual humor painted into the illustrations.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've already read it to Crosby, the dog. Tomorrow will be Eliot's, the cat, turn. Maybe this will be the book to help them see they really could work together.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting concept and I liked the ending but for some reason it left me wanting more.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hilarious book about dogs and cats trying to live with each other and get along in a household. This one is so funny and even the adults will like reading it as well as the kids. The discussion about which one is best is each has their own talents and special traits. Fun when their room or world is changed by one more pet.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love throwing in a kid's book here and there. And anything with cats is a plus! This was a great little story!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me chuckle

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story of a dog and cat "odd couple" who become roommates because their owners only had space for one pet. How long will this living together between a friendly-looking dog from the animal shelter, and a smart-looking cat from the pet store last?

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog vs. Cat by Chris Gall is a nominee for the 2016-17 South Carolina Picture Book Award.

Dog and Cat are both going to live with Mr. and Mrs. Button. Unfortunately, these two very different pets have to share a room. Everything starts out okay, but it doesn't take long for them to start annoying each other.

Dog is messy, chatty, and likes to sniff everything. Cat is neat, quiet (except at night), and claws everything in sight. They decide to divide up their room, but that doesn't end well, either.

When there's a new arrival in their home, Dog and Cat realize they must put aside their differences and figure out how to deal with the situation--together.

Will Dog and Cat be able to find common ground? Will this new arrival change everything? Find out when you read Dog vs. Cat by Chris Gall!

Dog vs. Cat is a charming book that will appeal to readers young and old. Young readers will enjoy the story of how Dog and Cat are different and eventually come together. Older readers will delight in the fun little details in the illustrations. With any age group, Dog vs. Cat is a wonderful read-aloud and is perfect for discussions about perspective, working together, and appreciating differences.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute and very fun! Having a mixture of cats and dogs ourselves, we can totally understand the interesting relationships they have. Love the way the author shows the personalities of the cats and the dogs.

[Nanci Booher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm slightly perplexed by this book. I love the illustrations and the ending....but something is off for me and I'm not sure what. I think that this story could be useful for siblings but it may not work for a storytime. It is sitting on my shelf and I plan to revisit it on another day and see how I feel then.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! The Buttons each bring home a new pet, but there's only room for one. Who will win the ultimate pet showdown?

[Harla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just overall liked this one! Great illustrations and funny. Good combination. We need to purchase this one.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very funny tale of a cat and dog who become pets at the same house until there's another intruder.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is a humorous story about a dog and a cat that have to live together.
The illustrations are a lot of fun too and really add to the story.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weather you are a dog or a cat person, you will roar with laughter!! Totally funny books about the musings of a cat and dog trying and not to get along. Reminds me of Coco and Killer!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too cute! Love the illustrations!

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dog and cat butt heads as they have to share a room in their new home. It spirals out of control until a common enemy unites them.

Great illustrations!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilariously funny, readers of all ages will delight in this clever telling of a dog and cat trying live together. Will they solve their problems?

[Wynter]

This book was about a dog and a cat who were bought from the store at the same time and have to live together. It was odd at first but then they got along, until they didn't. Dog and cat were simply too different to get along. They finally made up and just as they did, a baby came into the picture! They then had to work together to get through this baby which brought them closer.

This book gets a 4.5/5 from me. It is a good read, but it felt a little too long for the amount of content there was. It had a good message especially on page 12 when cat apologized to dog and they got back together. It shows that even though they are different, they can still get along by being their own unique and amazing selves.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book about a couple who simultaneously adopt pets. Middle grade students might appreciate the humor more than primary students. You could pause and ask the class at the page when they decide to mark their territories. It's implied to literally mean they peed on everything but when you turn the page they are using paint. Other teachable moments... maybe a writing prompt for siblings. Actually, this book is just funny. Crude, but funny.

[Aubrey May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog vs. Cat by Chris Gall is about a dog and a cat learning to get along. They began the story fighting and hating each other and so they decide to separate until they realize how much fun their time spent together actually was. At the end of the book, they build their own house and become best friends. I thought this was a great book that could teach kids many different lessons. I could use this book in my classroom to discuss cooperation, teamwork, and even appreciating siblings.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

High humor and grand kid appeal in this hilarious too-true story of Dog and Cat, who arrive as new pets at the same time and have to learn to share a "pet room". All that which we humans ascribe as traits to each show Dog and Cat's true colors as they settle their differences just in time to welcome the next new pet: a baby.

[Mr. Canning · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book this one is! Mr. Button buys a dog on the same day that Ms. Button buys a cat. The two try to make the best of it but soon find they can't tolerate each other. One of them has to go! Who will it be. Great illustrations and make this a real fun read for kids.