Cat and Dog

by Else Holmelund Minarik, Bryan Langdo (Illustrator)

Cat likes to tease Dog.
Dog likes to tease Cat.
But most of all, Cat and Dog like to have fun together.
Boy, do they ever have fun! This happy story about two playful pets by the author of the Little Bear books has long been a favorite with beginning readers, and it now sports sparkling new full-color illustrations.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Cats, Dogs, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Else Holmelund Minarik was the author of the Little Bear series of children's books, which were successful as books, and were also made into a successful children's TV series. The Little Bear books sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.

Else Minarik was also the author of another well-known book, No Fighting, No Biting!

She was born in Denmark, and with her family immigrated to the United States at the age of four. After she graduated from Queens College, City University of New York she became a journalist for the Rome Daily Centennial newspaper and taught first-graders during WWII. Minarik lived in Nottingham, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Jon Cantrell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gotta say, I'm not a fan of this book. My wife just made me read it. Lots of bickering between the animals. The dog is very mean to the cat. It's very repetitive, but that's to be expected for an "I Can Read Book". Look for something more wholesome, like Biscuit.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite I Can Read books. I first read it decades ago. Thrilled that it is being re-released with bonus material.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great easy reader title for beginning readers. Text is repetitive and pictures match what is described in the story. Recommended for grades K-2.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for the beginning reader

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat and Dog in this rare classic kid's book enjoy irritating each other, which is what friends do. Dog wants Cat off the furniture, or else Dog will turn Cat into whatever feline cuisine Dog can think up. Cat says, ya gotta catch me first! And the chase ensues, leaving poor Dog stuck butt first in the birdbath, which is incredibly funny in a Looney Toons kinda way. In the end, the two settle down for a snack of munchy-bones from the garbage can. Incredibly sweet and funny, but I'm not sure if all kids nowadays will like it as much as I have, but time alone will tell.
Four stars
Cat and Dog rock!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playful pets light up this story. (Who says that cats and dogs can't get along?)

To this Goodreader, the cat and dog bicker and tease each other, much like happily married couples (who like bickering). For instance, from Page 15:

"Meow, meow,
Come and get me,
Dog, Dog,
If you can,
If you can."

Frolicsome adventures indeed, if you're an early reader. Author Else Holmelund Minarik has a delightful sense of humor.

Especially captivating are the illustrations by Fritz Siebel.

Is this a FIVE STAR book? Definitely.

[Tracy 5redhens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably 4 stars due to nostalgia. I remember getting this from the school library in first grade and reading it to my youngest brother who absolutely loved it. When I read it to my granddaughter she belly laughed. Very cute for littles.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this is awful. Threatening to make a catcoat or catpie is not funny, and way beyond naughty. And the animals are *so* naughty. And the little girl seems awfully dressed up.

[Gabs · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the best book. I like how the dog tried to get the car but at the ending they get to be friends. And it’s all about being friends.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this nicely illustrated early reader, cat and dog torment each other until they find something they like to do together. Cute easy-to-read story.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for a person learning to read.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Else Holmelund Minarik is best known for the Little Bear series, which founded the I Can Read concept back in 1957. This title, Cat and Dog, was published three years after Little Bear, in 1960, and was originally illustrated by Fritz Siebel. The version I read, however, is the 2005 version, whose illustrations were updated by Bryan Langdo. Langdo's interpretation changes the child, who is never mentioned in the text, from a girl to a boy, creates a more contemporary household setting, and includes more bold and bright colors, like the ones found in other newer easy readers.

The story itself goes like this. All around the house, the dog bullies the cat into doing what he wants by threatening to turn her into terrible things - a catball, a catcoat, and a catpie. The cat teases the dog back, threatening that he will get the house all wet, or be tied up outside, if he can't behave. Finally, they bond over digging up bones, and the little boy who owns them gives them each some food.

The dog and the cat each have personalities, and their dialogue taps into what children might imagine animals saying to each other. The story provides a sort of logical explanation for the sometimes strange behavior of cats and dogs chasing each other around the house.

The text uses repetition to reinforce certain phrases, such as "I will, I will," which gives the story a nice rhythm and also helps new readers to begin recognizing those simple sentences on sight. The illustrations, too, help to convey the message contained in the text. They are especially useful in helping kids to understand the made-up objects the dog talks about, such as the catcoat and catpie. Illustrating these ideas inside thought bubbles sends the message that they are made-up ideas and not real words.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat and Dog begins as the typical story about how a dog and a cat can't get along. Dog tells Cat to get off the bed or he'll make a catball out of her. Then Dog tells Cat to get off the chair or he'll make a catcoat out of her. Dog tells Cat to get off the table or he'll make a catpie out of her. However, Cat tells him to come and get her if he can, so Dog jumps on the table and they are both told to get off the table. Cat tells the Dog out of the water or you'll make the house wet. Cat tells Dog out of the garden or he'll get tied up. Dog then chases after Cat until Cat shows him where the bones are and tells him to get them out. Then there are bones for Cat and for Dog. The boy then sees they are so hungry so he feeds them both. Dog and Cat are then happy and best of friends. Although Cat likes to tease Dog, and Dog likes to tease Cat they like to have fun together. They show that a Dog and a Cat can be best friends.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very simple but interesting story book for "My first shared reading" child. Or one that can't read at all. Repetitive words help make it a little easier for beginning readers. But storyline not so boring that is hard to keep attention to a 'listener'... a cat and a dog are playing like cats and dogs do, but appears like they are fighting... but in the end you know they are the best of friends.

[Edward Creter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book with pure fun and joy!Cat and Dog often love to tease each other at dinner tables, backyards, etc. But then Cat sees that Dog is trapped in his own world and allows him to come outside where the wide world only looks realistically scary...but it's actually nice to play in, too! What a sweet lesson, and yet another way I have used my powers of analysis to find joy and love in the simplest of stories. Hope Gr will love this kids' classic and spread the love around!

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reader, my 3 YO had it memorized after two readings.

[Amy Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat and Dog are teasing each other. My First I Can Read Book. AR 0.8.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and cute.

[bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice first reader. Cute. Even the 2 year old liked to listen to it.

[Darin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off the table, cat-cat, or I'll make a cat pie out of you, I will I will. 5/5 would read again. I might like it more than my daughter.

[Katelyn]

I think this was the first book I ever read!

[Mada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Story For My Little Bro He Likes It Alot

[L Campagnola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustrations by Fritz Siebel

[Roxann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book for beginning readers. The story is cute with a dog and cat teasing the other.