Bad Dog

by Mike Boldt

The differences between cats and dogs have never been funnier! In this hilarious story from the illustrator of I Don't Want to Be a Frog, a little girl really, really wants a dog . . . but gets a cat instead!

"Look what I got for my birthday! A pet dog!" says a little girl holding a . . . cat? Rocky doesn't listen or obey like all the other dogs. (Because Rocky is a cat.) And Rocky hates her leash and doesn't seem to like other dogs. (Probably because Rocky is a cat.) And rather than play fetch, Rocky prefers to . . . lick between her toes? Ew . Rocky is a bad "dog"! BUT Rocky doesn't bark, and is so cute when she sleeps in sunny spots. Maybe Rocky IS a good dog? (Or, you know, maybe Rocky is a cat.)

Cat lovers and dog lovers alike will howl with laughter at this little girl's willful insistence that her cat is a dog. The hilarious ways in which cats and dogs are different are brilliantly illuminated with each turn of the page and will leave young readers and their grown-ups giggling.

★ Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award, 2021
★ North Carolina Children's Book Award, 2022
★ Wyoming Library Association Buckaroo Award, 2021-22
★ Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award, 2021
★ Sakura Medal, Japan, 2022
★ Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award, 2022

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published November 5, 2019

About the author

Mike Boldt has been my name
for quite a few years

Some people call me an Author / Illustrator
I’ve been called worse

I like ice cream a lot

I still enjoy cartoons

I‘ve drawn since I was young

I read (picture) books

I like to write & Draw them too

I'm amazed and grateful every day this is my job.

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorably illustrated book is about a little girl who asks for a dog for her birthday and gets one... sort of. Rocky isn't like most dogs: she doesn't like to go for walks, she won't obey commands, and she really doesn't like water. The girl concludes that Rocky's a pretty bad dog. But there are some things about Rocky that aren't so bad, either: she doesn't bark at the mailman and she doesn't chew up the girl's toys. Eventually, the kid concludes that Rocky would make a pretty good cat... without ever seeming to realize the actual species of her new pet!

The story is cute enough, but the illustrations are what make this book so appealing. The style is both cartoonish and detailed, and both cat and child are adorable. (The girl actually reminds me a bit of Disney's Lilo.) The facial expressions are precious, and show Rocky at her mischievous best.

I think kids (as well as adults) will enjoy this one. Books like this that tell one story with the text and another with the illustrations can be really effective if done well. And this one is.

Quotable moment:

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly and cute.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ha! Ha! Rocky's a bad dog because she's a cat! Simple concept with a cute little girl, a mischievous pet, and art that looks like storyboards for a Disney short film.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler alert...Rocky is a cat! Great illustrations.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocky is a very bad dog... she doesn't do tricks or listen to her human's orders. She's very good at catlike things though, like clawing things up and sleeping. Bad Dog has adorable seeping out of every page as Rocky's human tells you all about her! Every cat owner will find their own fluffy friends in these accurate illustrations of feline mischief & love.

[Maria Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a hilarious premise and hook. I just had to read this book. I had to find out why the girl thought Rocky (the cat) was a dog and whether she would ever admit the truth. The book perfectly captures the studied indifference of a cat and the insistent determination of a child to believe that her one birthday wish had been granted. Slowly, the girl begins to acknowledge that perhaps Rocky is better behaved than a dog. Throughout, the bright, bold, expressive illustrations continually contradict the sparse text, heightening the humor and providing some extra gags and treasures. All the while comparing and contrasting the differences between cats and dogs. Each spread will have the kids and their grown-ups snickering and snorting.
Overall, this is a great book on adjusting ones dreams, comparing some of the differences between cats and dogs, and highlighting the love between a child and a pet.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad Dog by Mike Boldt. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random), 2019. $18. 9781984847973

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A little girl asked for a dog for her birthday, but the dog she received doesn’t really do a good job of acting like one.

Boldt has so many cute books -- as an author and an illustrator. Bad Dog does not disappoint! The deliberately clueless little girl and the cat being a very good cat as superb. And I love the touch that the girl is barefoot - because really, who wants to wear shoes all the time!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fantastic illustrations are a highlight to this introduction to Rocky the cat, who makes a rather bad dog. As another reviewer said, that cat/dog mixup will probably only be hilarious to the youngest tots, but the illustrations will be appreciated by all audiences.

I'm not going to lie, the idea of a preschooler being given a pet as a birthday present wasn't my favorite part of the book.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

All this little girl wants for her birthday is a dog, but her new pet, Rocky, doesn't make a good dog at all! Could it be because Rocky is a cat?
This book shows the differences between cats and dogs in the most entertaining way possible. With the wonderful illustrations, kids will want to read it again and again. -Jen K.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

[Davenport Public Library Iowa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun children's book describing the characteristics of a cat by a little girl who wanted a dog! The drawing style is whimsical and child-like.

A good book for children and families wanting to add a pet to their lives.

Find this book in the Davenport Public Library's collection here: https://rivershare.polarislibrary.com...

[Jan Polep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, my short partner in reading guessed right away why Rocky was considered a bed dog by his young owner. it is hard to decide who is cuter...Rocky or his little girl.

[katayoun Masoodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

super funny, i have two super bad dogs too! :)

[Dwan Dawson-Tape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful and mischievously silly. ^_^

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly funny and sure to please the storytime crowd. Great and droll illustrations.

[Mid-Continent Public Library]

A little girl tells us about the dog she got for her birthday. She named her Rocky. Rocky is a bad dog. She does not come when you call, hates walks, and does not want to hang around other dogs or do tricks. What Rocky likes is climbing trees, rubbing on the mailman, playing with shoelaces, and taking naps -- especially in the sun. Could it be Rocky is not truly a dog after all? Have fun reading this with your favorite kids and discussing the differences between cats and dogs. We love them both, but Rocky would clearly make a better cat. *Review by Darla from Red Bridge*

[N · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've shared this with a few kindergarten classes and more than once have I been asked to "read it again" when I get to the end.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, so cute!

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his very clever book with bold funny illustrations, Boldt imagines what might happen if a child's birthday present isn't the dog she wanted but a cat instead and the child seems clueless. The "bad dog" doesn't do anything anything a dog would do and seems to have uncharacteristic behaviors. Young readers will enjoy the juxtaposition. It is a good book to use to discuss the importance of assigning the right characteristics to each character!

[Barb (Boxermommyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for blog by Apollo - 12 week old Boxer pup:

So the little girl in the book wants a dog. And she gets one. But it doesn't do the things that dogs should do (like eat dirt). However, it does like to play with shoelaces and with the fishbowl.

I thought the book was cute but my brother Cass has been educating me and I knew right away Rocky wasn't a dog! The artwork was really cool though and Cass told me to show you an example. I think little kids would love it.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rocky the cat is a pretty bad dog. Cute.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story and pictures

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not exactly original but so soo flipping cute. I cackled at the expressions though the entire book. Might pair with pigeon wants a puppy for storytime someday.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little girls can be very bossy and determined to have their way and the little girl in this story is no exception. She wanted a dog for her birthday and by sheer force of will, a dog she will have. Pay no attention to the fact that what she actually received is, and shall always be, a cat. A cat may be the only creature that is equally stubborn. She tries to teach her "dog" to come, she tries to teach her "dog" to walk on a leash, she introduces her "dog" to other dogs. The feline chooses NOT to respond with a consistency that demonstrates truly cat-like behavior. Rocky the cat is a VERY bad dog, but in the end, when her owner becomes more open-minded; Rocky is, almost always, a very good cat.

Children often believe that pets will behave in a preconceived manner and can find it difficult to match their expectations to the animal's actual proclivities--even when they expect to interact with the right species. Lassie, Snoopy, Grumpy cat and other personified critters leave an impression on children that doesn't match reality. This book is a wonderful reminder that adapting is an owner's responsibility and it delivers this message with outstanding humor. Such as a terrified kitty with slitted, slanting, suspicious eyes facing off against friendly dogs. The illustrations are huge and fill the pages with color; the size and brilliance of the pictures reinforce the determination of the main characters to force their will each upon the other. The little girl's acceptance of her pet at the end of the book would make for a great conversation on accepting pets and people for who they are instead of who we want them to be. A really wonderful book for it's humorous approach to a classic stand-off.

[Chance Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's ball of fur is bursting with personality and cuteness.

Cover
The bright green pops. especially among between the black title and Rocky's coloring. I really like the layout and it sits well on this cover. Especially as a thumbnail really makes this cover pop.
Both front and back cover are original.

Interior
Story
The story is all spoken perception and as a cat person. I think it's pretty fun and playful pointing out the differences between Cats and Dogs. (I must be a real cat whisperer my cats come when I call.) The story is simple and easy to love.

Illustration
Beautifully done. The little girl is absolutely adorable with a perfectly fitting expression and personality. I love the expressions and personality is bursting on the pages.
The illustrations are the star of this book. I love the style and personality in this book. The book flips between between full page, minimal, to individual scenes pretty smoothly and hits the emotions every page demands.

After Thoughts
This book has three title pages. How it's utilized it pretty interesting creating a micro sub-story to explain why she calls Rocky a dog through the entire story. Even though it could easily pass over on a simple read it really grounds the story and explains the girls personality. I love the small detail that not only that this a gift by Mike Boldt to the character but that every paw print at the front and back are different. Giving it's a more personality and detail.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes our expectations aren't quite matched by reality as shown in this humorous picture book in which a little girl receives a cat for a present. She's thrilled since she's always wanted a dog. But it's clear from the moment she pulls the feline from its box that it's a cat. As anyone who's ever lived with a cat knows, they don't usually do the things one would expect a dog to do such as come when they're called, go for walks on a leash or sit up and beg for treats. Quickly, the little girl comes to realize that Rocky is a very bad dog, a phrase that is repeated throughout the text. But wait! There's hope for the two companions. After all, all the characteristics that make Rocky a less than desirable dog make her the perfect cat. The illustrations fill the pages of the book with colors and focus on this new owner/companion with a smile that reveals her missing teeth. I particularly loved the book jacket and back cover that show Rocky with her tail arched high into the air, backside showing as she looks disdainfully at the reader. Yes, it's safe to say that the images have captured the essence of a cat here. This book might be good to share with any youngster contemplating getting a new pet. It certainly amused me while reminding me that pets are hard work and they don't always behave as we might wish them to.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can already hear kinder listeners laughing at me, telling me "that isn't a dog, it's a CAT!" They'll love the irony of the ways Rocky is not a good dog. Illustrations are big and clear -- but is it just me? -- It seems animated films and more and more picture books have a single best style for human faces. As if there were an "acceptable" facial profile. Almost too cute.

It's probably just me.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many books about an animal (or a human) mistaking the identity of an animal for something else. However, this book made me smile. I think the illustrations have something to do with that. I really felt as if the temperament of the cat was captured. This cat really doesn't want to be thought of as a dog. ;)

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A student gave me this book from the book fair. It is absolutely hysterical and reading it aloud to the kids is a riot, this is a great book to read aloud to students, they get engaged and excited. The illustrations are wonderful and have so much detail. The ending is perfect and the kids love it. I would highly recommend this book for teachers/parents to read to their children.