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Hondo & Fabian #1
Hondo & Fabian
Hondo the dog has a fun day at the beach while Fabian the cat stays home.
" Wake up, Hondo. Time to go!"
Hondo will have an adventure.
Fabian will stay home.
A dog named Hondo and his friend Fred are going to the beach for a day of excitement. Fabian the cat is left behind at home to play with the baby. Who will cause more trouble? And who will have more fun?
Peter McCarty's exquisite illustrations and understated wit turn an ordinary day in the lives of two pets into a rare delight.
" Wake up, Hondo. Time to go!"
Hondo will have an adventure.
Fabian will stay home.
A dog named Hondo and his friend Fred are going to the beach for a day of excitement. Fabian the cat is left behind at home to play with the baby. Who will cause more trouble? And who will have more fun?
Peter McCarty's exquisite illustrations and understated wit turn an ordinary day in the lives of two pets into a rare delight.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2002
8 people are currently reading
1033 people want to read
About the author
Peter McCarty
36 books57 followersI was born in 1966 in Westport, Connecticut right in the middle of two older brothers and two younger sisters. We kept our mother busy while my father worked long hours at IBM. Most of my childhood was spent in my head. I was usually recreating a battle from World War II or running from dinosaurs in prehistoric times. To this day, I develop characters and environments based on worlds I first created when I was three. I am grateful to my mother who kept us surrounded with art. I come from a long line of artists and my grandmother, Grace Boyd, was the best. She died before I was born, but her fantastic paintings and drawings were all around us.
Since my father worked for IBM, we moved often. I think being on the move during my formative years has been the reason I tend to create books about returning home. By the time I graduated from high school we were living in Boulder, Colorado. At the University of Colorado, I began my long career as a professional student. I first thought I was going to be an engineer so I took all kinds of science and math classes. I enjoyed solving math problems, but I could not see myself working in a lab. Along the way, I continued to draw and create worlds as I always have. My friends and teachers were very supportive. Around the time when I should have been graduating, I decided to start over and go to art school at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. I finally graduated from college, in 1992.
One of my illustration teachers, William Low introduced me to Laura Godwin, a children’s book editor at Henry Holt and Company. She gave me my first professional art job to illustrate a little science book, Frozen Man written by David Getz. I worked really hard on that book. Laura was impressed; so I was offered to illustrate a picture book, Night Driving written by John Coy. Again I did the best illustrations I knew how, like my life depended on it. One drawing of a car going over a bridge made my girlfriend cry. She said, “Oh, you can draw.” We were then married in 1995.
Night Driving was first published in 1996 and received praise from critics and won some awards. Laura Godwin then offered me the best of all offers; I could write and illustrate whatever I wanted. Little Bunny on the Move came into my mind after months of searching for a story. Little Bunny on the Move was published in 1999 and won a Best Illustrated Book of the Year from the New York Times. That book established my career and gave me the confidence to continue to write and illustrate the stories from my mind.
Since my father worked for IBM, we moved often. I think being on the move during my formative years has been the reason I tend to create books about returning home. By the time I graduated from high school we were living in Boulder, Colorado. At the University of Colorado, I began my long career as a professional student. I first thought I was going to be an engineer so I took all kinds of science and math classes. I enjoyed solving math problems, but I could not see myself working in a lab. Along the way, I continued to draw and create worlds as I always have. My friends and teachers were very supportive. Around the time when I should have been graduating, I decided to start over and go to art school at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. I finally graduated from college, in 1992.
One of my illustration teachers, William Low introduced me to Laura Godwin, a children’s book editor at Henry Holt and Company. She gave me my first professional art job to illustrate a little science book, Frozen Man written by David Getz. I worked really hard on that book. Laura was impressed; so I was offered to illustrate a picture book, Night Driving written by John Coy. Again I did the best illustrations I knew how, like my life depended on it. One drawing of a car going over a bridge made my girlfriend cry. She said, “Oh, you can draw.” We were then married in 1995.
Night Driving was first published in 1996 and received praise from critics and won some awards. Laura Godwin then offered me the best of all offers; I could write and illustrate whatever I wanted. Little Bunny on the Move came into my mind after months of searching for a story. Little Bunny on the Move was published in 1999 and won a Best Illustrated Book of the Year from the New York Times. That book established my career and gave me the confidence to continue to write and illustrate the stories from my mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
June 11, 2019
A short and sweet rhyming beginning book for young kids. The artwork is glossy and the story is simple. Hondo is the dog and Fabian is the cat. They live together. Hondo gets to go play in the ocean with a friend while Fabian is home with the baby. They meet up at the end of the day.
The nephew thought this was sweet and a little slow and he gave this 4 stars. I agree with him. The niece said she read this before and she liked it better as a younger kid. It was simple for her. She gave it 2 stars.
The nephew thought this was sweet and a little slow and he gave this 4 stars. I agree with him. The niece said she read this before and she liked it better as a younger kid. It was simple for her. She gave it 2 stars.
November 5, 2019
A lovely story about a dog and a cat, their relationship and a day in their lives. Lovely soft, fuzzy pencil illustrations and a subtle sense of humour.
Read on open library.
Read on open library.
December 26, 2011
The paintings are gorgeous and unusual, and fun. I particularly like the one where the cat is playing in the bathroom.
This is a very spare and simple story with few words that is suitable for the youngest child. There isn’t that much to the story but it rings so true and it’s charming.
There are 4 characters: Hondo the dog, Fabian the cat, Fred the dog who’s Hondo’s friend, and a toddler/baby.
This author-illustrator obviously knows dogs and cats because he captured them so perfectly.
I think very young children will really enjoy this book, and anyone who loves dogs and/or cats will get a kick out of it too.
3 ¾ stars
This is a very spare and simple story with few words that is suitable for the youngest child. There isn’t that much to the story but it rings so true and it’s charming.
There are 4 characters: Hondo the dog, Fabian the cat, Fred the dog who’s Hondo’s friend, and a toddler/baby.
This author-illustrator obviously knows dogs and cats because he captured them so perfectly.
I think very young children will really enjoy this book, and anyone who loves dogs and/or cats will get a kick out of it too.
3 ¾ stars
December 16, 2020
One needs more pretty pictures of a cat and a dog
February 19, 2021
A sweet tale of a dog and cat who spend the day apart, but come back together at dinnertime to share their experiences.
I LOVE the softly rendered artwork by the author.
Hondo having fun.
Fabian having fun.
I LOVE the softly rendered artwork by the author.
Hondo having fun.
Fabian having fun.
January 4, 2020
With simple text and luminous artwork, children's author/illustrator Peter McCarty explores one day in the life of the eponymous Hondo and Fabian, a dog and cat duo who live together and are good friends. While Hondo heads to the seashore, to spend the day romping with his fellow canine, Fred, the feline Fabian remains at home with the baby, having his own form of fun. But at the end of the day, the two are together again, enjoying their evening meal, and their favorite napping places.
Awarded a Caldecott Honor in 2003, Hondo and Fabian has a gentleness to it that is very appealing, with a simple text of no more than a sentence per page - "Two happy dogs dive in the waves. / Fabian dives for the door." - and gorgeous artwork that just seems to glow on the page. My first book by Peter McCarty was Henry in Love , which I appreciated for the artwork, but found rather uninspired, textually speaking. Here, however, the words and images work together flawlessly, resulting in one of those quietly impressive books, whose appeal can take the reader by surprise. Recommended for very young cat and dog lovers - McCarty clearly understands his felines and canines! - and for anyone looking for lovely, comforting bedtime fare for younger, preschool-age children. I myself will definitely be tracking down the sequel, to see what happens when Fabian Escapes .
Awarded a Caldecott Honor in 2003, Hondo and Fabian has a gentleness to it that is very appealing, with a simple text of no more than a sentence per page - "Two happy dogs dive in the waves. / Fabian dives for the door." - and gorgeous artwork that just seems to glow on the page. My first book by Peter McCarty was Henry in Love , which I appreciated for the artwork, but found rather uninspired, textually speaking. Here, however, the words and images work together flawlessly, resulting in one of those quietly impressive books, whose appeal can take the reader by surprise. Recommended for very young cat and dog lovers - McCarty clearly understands his felines and canines! - and for anyone looking for lovely, comforting bedtime fare for younger, preschool-age children. I myself will definitely be tracking down the sequel, to see what happens when Fabian Escapes .
April 11, 2017
This simple, understated story with illustrations in muted browns, blues and reds contrasts and parallels Fabian the cat's day with Hondo the dog's day. The illustrations have a hazy, fuzzy, sweet look. While Hondo is romping with his friend at the beach, Fabian has to create his own fun in the house. But when Hondo comes home, he and Fabian eat dinner side by side, and then sleep in their accustomed spots of Fabian on the windowsill and Hondo on the floor. The story is deceptively simple, but very effective, and the illustrations are a perfect match.
January 7, 2020
Per my second graders: It was really good and I liked it a lot. The pictures were beautiful. It was really cool how he did the pictures. I loved the writing because it was really good with the pictures.
April 6, 2020
With the illustration equivalent of morning light sifting through a curtain, Peter McCarty's Hondo and Fabian makes for a cute, easy read about a pet dog and cat. The two certainly have different ideas of fun, though their days have a similar structure. The narrative is overall explanatory and the McCarty seems to take great delight in showing the specifics in his illustrations. Fabian has fun too, says the text--but the illustration shows him clawing the toilet paper rolls. Overall, a fun read that's great for a cozy night or early morning read.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
July 1, 2021
i LOVE the art style in this book :,)))) it’s so beautiful.
June 3, 2012
A dog and cat spend their days in much the same way. Every other page focuses on either the dog or the cat and in one sentence explains how they are spending their day. Each part of their stories is presented in a two page spread where the sentence describing the action appears on its own page and a full color illustration appears on the other. The pictures are soft and muted and look like what I think a memory would resemble if it were illustrated. The positions the dog and cat assume and the facial expressions they make are very lifelike and it is obvious these animals are inspired by creatures near and dear to the author because drawings this accurate only come from hours of careful, loving observation. Great read aloud.
July 19, 2007
A day in the life of a dog and cat comes full circle as they begin a sleepy morning, have adventures, and end the day just as sleepy and comfortable as they started. Their adventures are different--Hondo goes to the beach to meet another dog friend while Fabian puts up with small children (getting some toilet-paper rolling in the meantime)--but they each return to their favorite spots in the evening.
The illustrations are soft and gentle in neutral browns and tans. Although I don't usually care for such fuzzy illustrations, they suit the book, and the depiction of the animals is true to the character of each.
The illustrations are soft and gentle in neutral browns and tans. Although I don't usually care for such fuzzy illustrations, they suit the book, and the depiction of the animals is true to the character of each.
December 15, 2008
It is very apparent that Hondo and Fabian are a real dog and cat. Peter McCarty has captured the essence of "dog" and "cat" perfectly using very few words and very nice illustrations. Dog goes on an adventure. Cat stays home. Dog runs into the ocean waves. Cat runs from baby. My favorite picture is of the cat having fun in the bathroom unrolling the toilet paper. I recommend this for parents to share with very young children and all dog and cat lovers.
April 15, 2019
This is about a dog and a cat who are friends. I liked the illustrations.
August 11, 2017
Cute story about the lives of two household pets. Demonstrates the differences between cats and dogs, and yet also shows how similar they can be. It also subtly highlights the love we have for them. Nice illustrations, kind of a fuzzy watercolor style.
This book was selected as one of the books for the May 2017- Caldecott Honors 2003-2007 discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This book was selected as one of the books for the May 2017- Caldecott Honors 2003-2007 discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
July 27, 2016
As the Goodreads summary states, "Hondo the dog has a fun day at the beach while Fabian the cat stays home." And that's about it.
I don't know, I guess I just don't really get Peter McCarty. His art is really appealing, all soft and gauzy and pleasant, but the storytelling just doesn't do anything. I guess this book is a study in contrasts and personality types, but it really just describes some actions and then it's over (with a kind of random P.S.). I don't know, it was fine and The Boy (3) likes it, maybe I'm just missing something.
I don't know, I guess I just don't really get Peter McCarty. His art is really appealing, all soft and gauzy and pleasant, but the storytelling just doesn't do anything. I guess this book is a study in contrasts and personality types, but it really just describes some actions and then it's over (with a kind of random P.S.). I don't know, it was fine and The Boy (3) likes it, maybe I'm just missing something.
February 20, 2014
I read this to Logan many times when he was 4 and 5. He asked to read it again last night. He's almost 10. He remembered it from before(which is unusual)and commented how different it is to read it now that he's older. He said he didn't really understand the story before. I'm not sure what he meant; it's a pretty simple story. But whether he was 4, 5, or 10, he enjoyed it. Very sweet, dreamy illustrations.
March 9, 2016
A new favorite around these parts. Hondo and Fabian represent their canine and feline families to perfection, and the story of interspecies friendship hits just the right note. Very nice for reading aloud. Also, it doesn't hurt that the baby in the book bears a very strong resemblance to my own little pill :) We got this from the library but will be getting our own copy in short order. Very much recommended.
May 9, 2017
Cute book, gentle with these softly lit illustrations and story where not much happens. It's one of those books that is perfect for those little 3 and 4 year olds who are still picking up leaves and wondering at them.
My 6 year old thought it was cute, but, she was really beyond the age that the book seems appropriate for.
This probably would have been a book we read over and over if we would have come across it when she was younger.
My 6 year old thought it was cute, but, she was really beyond the age that the book seems appropriate for.
This probably would have been a book we read over and over if we would have come across it when she was younger.
January 27, 2009
Simple but oh-so-sweet! I love the soft paintings and the glimpse into a day-in-the-life of best-friends Hondo and Fabian.
January 9, 2013
The radiant drawings are a 5, but the story is very boring.
April 20, 2017
Gorgeous illustrations! This story is great for detailing how you do not have to go somewhere else to have a good time- you can have fun at home too!
June 13, 2018
Cute, calm story about a cat and a dog's day, separate and together. Simple text and soft pictures, nice soothing bedtime type story. 2+
November 24, 2022
This is an odd story. Really 2.5 stars. I like the illustrations.
March 22, 2017
Hondo the dog has a fun day at the beach while Fabian the cat stays home.
" Wake up, Hondo. Time to go!"
Hondo will have an adventure.
Fabian will stay home.
A dog named Hondo and his friend Fred are going to the beach for a day of excitement. Fabian the cat is left behind at home to play with the baby. Who will cause more trouble? And who will have more fun?
Peter McCarty's exquisite illustrations and understated wit turn an ordinary day in the lives of two pets into a rare delight.
" Wake up, Hondo. Time to go!"
Hondo will have an adventure.
Fabian will stay home.
A dog named Hondo and his friend Fred are going to the beach for a day of excitement. Fabian the cat is left behind at home to play with the baby. Who will cause more trouble? And who will have more fun?
Peter McCarty's exquisite illustrations and understated wit turn an ordinary day in the lives of two pets into a rare delight.
December 24, 2008
My 5 year old's favorite bedtime story. Simple text. Beautiful illustrations -- calm, sweet pictures of a plump dog and cat.
December 30, 2017
The everyday life of a cat and dog in pictures and text
February 17, 2018
Beautiful little story. I loved the illustrations! Nice one for little pet lovers.
The cat unrolling the toilet paper roll was hilarious! I witnessed my own kittens do that on a couple of occasions!
The cat unrolling the toilet paper roll was hilarious! I witnessed my own kittens do that on a couple of occasions!
October 8, 2018
2002 Such a cute traditional literature book about two friends, Hindi and Fabian.
February 6, 2021
We found this on the internet archive and the cover was just so adorable. The story was really simple and cute and the illustrations are gorgeous. I can’t wait for us to read this to our son.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews