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Woof: A Love Story
A dog is a dog
and a cat is a cat
And most of the time
it's as simple as that. . . .
Or is it? What's a dog to do when he falls in love with the cat next door? Bark? Chase his tail? Dig up a "brass bone" and hope that the universal language of music will help him to express his feelings? This humorous and heartfelt story is about the power of love and the power of music, told through the eyes of a lovelorn dog and the cat he adores.
and a cat is a cat
And most of the time
it's as simple as that. . . .
Or is it? What's a dog to do when he falls in love with the cat next door? Bark? Chase his tail? Dig up a "brass bone" and hope that the universal language of music will help him to express his feelings? This humorous and heartfelt story is about the power of love and the power of music, told through the eyes of a lovelorn dog and the cat he adores.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Weeks
103 books510 followersSarah Weeks has been writing children’s books and songs for the past twenty years. She is a graduate of Hampshire College and NYU and recently became an adjunct faculty member in the prestigious Writing Program at the New School University, in New York City.
Her first YA novel, So B. It, which appeared on the LA Times bestseller list was chosen as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and received the 2004 Parent’s Choice Gold Award. In addition to being an author, Sarah is an accomplished singer/songwriter. She has written for television, stage and screen and a number of her picturebooks include songs which she both writes and sings for the accompanying CD’s. Sarah's titles have sold well over a million copies, including several foreign editions.
Sarah is a tireless promoter, visiting schools throughout the country, serving as author-in-residence and speaking to teachers and librarians at national conferences including IRA, ALA and NCTE. She lives in New York City with her two teenage sons.
Her first YA novel, So B. It, which appeared on the LA Times bestseller list was chosen as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and received the 2004 Parent’s Choice Gold Award. In addition to being an author, Sarah is an accomplished singer/songwriter. She has written for television, stage and screen and a number of her picturebooks include songs which she both writes and sings for the accompanying CD’s. Sarah's titles have sold well over a million copies, including several foreign editions.
Sarah is a tireless promoter, visiting schools throughout the country, serving as author-in-residence and speaking to teachers and librarians at national conferences including IRA, ALA and NCTE. She lives in New York City with her two teenage sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 6, 2020
Sometimes I look at a picture book, and I like the writing and the art, but I admire it, rather than love it. And sometimes even though I am thinking there really don't need to be so many books for young kids about falling in love, despite Valentines Day. But I read two in a row like that, and I loved them both.
It makes no sense. It just is.
Library copy.
It makes no sense. It just is.
Library copy.
September 27, 2022
Some may think that dogs and cats don't belong together... all I have to say in response is "why not?!?". Sarah Weeks had written a sweet, rhyming story about a love-sick dog, a scared cat and a whole bunch of miscommunication! Fun book to share aloud with adorable mix-media illustrations by Holly Berry.
November 1, 2022
A silly rhyming story about a dog and cat falling in love. I liked the collage art. This is a great read-a-loud for pet lovers (have kids try reading it to their 4-legged friends) although most adults will find this a little ludicrous.
October 9, 2017
Not the most ideal ending but at least it was happy
August 21, 2018
Usually, a dog is a dog and a cat is a cat, and they go their separate ways, but when this dog and cat meet it's a different situation. Cute story.
March 18, 2022
It is a good story and what I feel Like it is A Connection With Different colored Skin. And that Anyone can date anyone based on color
July 11, 2023
Strange
January 13, 2017
Cute love story between a dog and cat! It takes the cat awhile to realize what's going. :)
July 13, 2015
Note: this review is from my blog, Two Little Dinos.
What a lovely little story! I tried to write this review in rhyme to pay homage to the book, but my skill is not as great as Sarah Weeks’, so I had to give it up. Woof: A Love Story is the story of a dog who usually does dog things, until one day, he smells a cat and falls in love. The problem is, every time he tries to tell her nice things, all she hears is dog sounds! They can’t understand each other, so the cat is afraid of him. But then…the dog discovers music, and finally the cat understands how he feels.
There are so many wonderful qualities to this book: an engaging story, teaching that music conveys feelings, it’s fun to hear and fun to read, and it’s a great little book to talk about poetic elements with a stronger reader (1st to 4th grades), as well. The story makes use of rhyme, metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, alliteration, and more. I sense great instructional moments here.
As for the opinion of a real-life child: our 6-year-old adored this story. I sense we will be keeping it the full two weeks from the library, and probably even buying it at the store. Though I’m personally not a huge fan of the illustration style, which features bold colors and a cut & paste cardstock look, my daughter kept delightedly pointing to the pages, finding hidden items and linking the story words to the pictures. She seemed to love the illustrations, and thinking about it further, I think that this book will still be a hit with boys despite the “sappy” story because of the un-girly illustrations. And of course she had great fun with the story itself, especially because cats and dogs are very familiar animals to her.
Even we adults enjoyed the story. Daddy read it to the Littles for bedtime, and on our way down the stairs talking, we had to laugh at each other for unconsciously adopting the rhythm of the book. “I keep expecting you to speak in rhyme!” I admitted to him. As an experienced picture book reader, I know that rhyming text doesn’t always work well, Dr. Seuss aside. Woof: A Love Story pulls it off beautifully. The rhyming adds a lot to the experience of the book, especially because it goes along with the idea that music can communicate emotion.
In short, this delightful and quirky story about a dog who falls in love with a cat is a great addition to any shelf.
What a lovely little story! I tried to write this review in rhyme to pay homage to the book, but my skill is not as great as Sarah Weeks’, so I had to give it up. Woof: A Love Story is the story of a dog who usually does dog things, until one day, he smells a cat and falls in love. The problem is, every time he tries to tell her nice things, all she hears is dog sounds! They can’t understand each other, so the cat is afraid of him. But then…the dog discovers music, and finally the cat understands how he feels.
There are so many wonderful qualities to this book: an engaging story, teaching that music conveys feelings, it’s fun to hear and fun to read, and it’s a great little book to talk about poetic elements with a stronger reader (1st to 4th grades), as well. The story makes use of rhyme, metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, alliteration, and more. I sense great instructional moments here.
As for the opinion of a real-life child: our 6-year-old adored this story. I sense we will be keeping it the full two weeks from the library, and probably even buying it at the store. Though I’m personally not a huge fan of the illustration style, which features bold colors and a cut & paste cardstock look, my daughter kept delightedly pointing to the pages, finding hidden items and linking the story words to the pictures. She seemed to love the illustrations, and thinking about it further, I think that this book will still be a hit with boys despite the “sappy” story because of the un-girly illustrations. And of course she had great fun with the story itself, especially because cats and dogs are very familiar animals to her.
Even we adults enjoyed the story. Daddy read it to the Littles for bedtime, and on our way down the stairs talking, we had to laugh at each other for unconsciously adopting the rhythm of the book. “I keep expecting you to speak in rhyme!” I admitted to him. As an experienced picture book reader, I know that rhyming text doesn’t always work well, Dr. Seuss aside. Woof: A Love Story pulls it off beautifully. The rhyming adds a lot to the experience of the book, especially because it goes along with the idea that music can communicate emotion.
In short, this delightful and quirky story about a dog who falls in love with a cat is a great addition to any shelf.
February 13, 2017
A dog falls for a cat, but has a hard time communicating his love
Love
Valentine's Day
Love
Valentine's Day
February 17, 2014
I love everything about this book for children. My son asked me to read twice in a row. (He's 4.)
This book is so sweet. It rhymes as well as Dr. Seuss, and offers a myriad of positive life lessons. It is a really adorable story about a dog who falls in love with a cat- but the cat can't understand anything he is saying. He says "I love you" but it just comes out as barking. He tries to tell her how beautiful she is, but it sounds like a growl etc.
This really darling story (great for valentines day!) covers the following (in case you need a book-style-teaching moment.)
1. The power of music- and why it is a "universal language"
2. The importance of good communication
3. The way that love has no boundaries
4. Why we should never jump to conclusions
And it covers it all without you even realizing it. Because the pictures are so great- and the story is so sweet.
Bravo. 2 thumbs up!
This book is so sweet. It rhymes as well as Dr. Seuss, and offers a myriad of positive life lessons. It is a really adorable story about a dog who falls in love with a cat- but the cat can't understand anything he is saying. He says "I love you" but it just comes out as barking. He tries to tell her how beautiful she is, but it sounds like a growl etc.
This really darling story (great for valentines day!) covers the following (in case you need a book-style-teaching moment.)
1. The power of music- and why it is a "universal language"
2. The importance of good communication
3. The way that love has no boundaries
4. Why we should never jump to conclusions
And it covers it all without you even realizing it. Because the pictures are so great- and the story is so sweet.
Bravo. 2 thumbs up!
November 10, 2011
A dog has certain things that dogs do: digging, scratching, barking, running, etc. This particular dog has other things in mind. He falls in love with a white cat. He proclaims his love, tells her she's beautiful. All she hears is "woof, woof, woof." Then he leaves. This makes the cat stop and think: instead of chasing me, he's leaving. Why?
In the meantime, the dog has dug up a "brass bone," (a trombone). The music he plays speaks right to the heart of the cat. Even though they can't understand each other, they know they're in love.
Kinda cute concept. The illustrations are a little off putting and the dog finding a buried trombone and calling it a "brass bone" is just stupid.
In the meantime, the dog has dug up a "brass bone," (a trombone). The music he plays speaks right to the heart of the cat. Even though they can't understand each other, they know they're in love.
Kinda cute concept. The illustrations are a little off putting and the dog finding a buried trombone and calling it a "brass bone" is just stupid.
April 24, 2010
Very strange, but rather cute. (Actually, even stranger is the blurb that goes up on library catalogs, "Despite a language barrier, a dog and cat fall in love with the help of a buried trombone." Huh?) Okay, so the point is that the dog speaks dog and the cat speaks cat, so while the dog is professing his love, it sounds like he is growling at the cat, and she runs away. The dog finds a buried "bone" (trombone) and plays the music of his heart to express his love. So it is a rather sweet message about using music to express love and bridge differences.
July 19, 2011
Seriously adorable! Not five stars because some of the language is a bit awkward ... and I would have liked a bit more time (which sounds ridiculous in a kid book) or background for the love story to develop.
But seriously ... what better testimony of the power of music? When the sweet dog pours every emotion into his music, and what eventually comes out is so powerful it crosses language barriers (and species), it's just marvelous.
Oh, and don't forget "flowery wallpaper words." What a fantastic expression:)
My 3 1/2-year-old loves this one.
But seriously ... what better testimony of the power of music? When the sweet dog pours every emotion into his music, and what eventually comes out is so powerful it crosses language barriers (and species), it's just marvelous.
Oh, and don't forget "flowery wallpaper words." What a fantastic expression:)
My 3 1/2-year-old loves this one.
July 9, 2013
This would be a cute read aloud for Kindergarten or First Grade. I've been looking for good read alouds for Valentine's Day and this would work nicely. I will be doing a diversity unit in February and because of the dog loves cat element of the story it ties nicely to that. This could also be recommended to a music teacher for a lesson because there is a tie-in to music as well. The difficulties the dog has in communicating his feelings to the cat will add a humor the kids will appreciate.
February 16, 2011
Another title our librarian read for Valentine's day at the preschooler story time. I liked the concept of this book: That a dog could love a cat, but his words of affection could be completely misunderstood. The bit about the trombone was alright, though the kids at story time though it was cool that it was trombone, instead of a bone. Not my favorite style of illustrations, but still alright.
May 11, 2011
Awww! Star-crossed lovers? A dog falls in love with a cat but has problems communicating his feelings. "I love you!" he says but, "Woof woof woof woof," was what really came out. A charming story with darling, clever illustrations. I especially enjoyed inspecting Berry's detailed illustrations about what's buried underground. The rhythm and rhyme in this story work well and younger readers will enjoy this as a read aloud.
February 9, 2012
K-6th Grade Read Aloud: Precious book with great illustrations and perfect for the month of February! We used the cover to make a prediction, discussed prior knowledge, similes, poetic language, theme,cause and effect, and made inferences. We then looked at a Readers' Theater script that had been made from this book. The curriculum covers drama right now, so this was a great way to incorporate those elements. A fantastic read-aloud!
March 28, 2015
I didn't think I would like this book very much, but I really, really did.
The text is in rhyme, which usually is not a selling point for me. However, this rhyme was exceedingly well done and added much to the story.
The illustrations were a bit cartoony, which, again, is not my favorite style. However, they suited the text so perfectly I can't imagine how they could possibly have been improved upon.
The text is in rhyme, which usually is not a selling point for me. However, this rhyme was exceedingly well done and added much to the story.
The illustrations were a bit cartoony, which, again, is not my favorite style. However, they suited the text so perfectly I can't imagine how they could possibly have been improved upon.
June 28, 2015
This was an amazing picture book! The illustrations just added such a flair to the book that you can't find anywhere else. The author wrote some of my favorite books, Pie, and Honey, and this book was just as good, if not better. The illustrator has illustrated a bunch of other books such as I'm a Pig (which was written by Sarah Weeks, too). Also, she has illustrated How Mama Brought the Spring among many others.
February 23, 2010
Some may think that dogs and cats don't belong together... all I have to say in response is "why not?!?". Sarah Weeks had written a sweet, rhyming story about a love-sick dog, a scared cat and a whole bunch of miscommunication! Fun book to share aloud with adorable mix-media illustrations by Holly Berry.
December 19, 2010
This could be a fun read aloud (or preferably sign aloud) for Valentine's Day. I wonder if Sarah Weeks, who has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard, had a tune in her mind as she wrote this one. I liked the rhymes and wish I could play a brass bone for accompaniment. How did I miss this last year?
January 2, 2014
This was turned in today and I read it thinking it might be a "new" one to add to my Valentine's Day story time...it's a little long for the ages I have coming to story time right now, but probably 4-6 year olds would love it. It's about a dog and a cat who fall in love, despite a "language barrier."
February 7, 2017
A dog longs to express his feelings for the cat that he loves, but all she hears if "woof" and "grr." Until the dog, who begins digging to cheer himself, finds a "shiny brass bone." And on that bone (trombone) he plays the music that helps the cat understand the dog's true feelings for her.
Very cute. Great, musical rhyme. Love the illustrations.
Very cute. Great, musical rhyme. Love the illustrations.
December 23, 2009
Very cute, very funny book from Weeks, who I am slowly growing to love. I was lucky enough to hear a Reader's Theater version of this book before it was published, and with a pretty incredible cast of readers: Weeks, Avi, Brian Selznick and Pam Munoz Ryan.
February 2, 2010
This is a short, sweet and even inspiring tale of love that goes beyond the boundaries between cat and dog. Great illustrations and a feel-good story line makes it easy to fall in love with this book.
September 11, 2010
Can a dog love a cat? Yes, he can. Here's his story.
What I thought: A sweet story. I love that the animals suffer from miscommunication. The illustrations are wonderful. I love the collages.
Story Time Themes: Dogs, Cats, Valentine's Day
What I thought: A sweet story. I love that the animals suffer from miscommunication. The illustrations are wonderful. I love the collages.
Story Time Themes: Dogs, Cats, Valentine's Day
May 13, 2016
A sweet story about a dog who falls in love with a cat, but faces a language barrier. She finds him threatening, when his "woofs" are actually "flowery wallpaper words". What eventually bridges the gap is the universal language of music. Love the collage illustrations.
April 17, 2010
Cute in a slightly weird way (dog is in love with cat). Illustrations are bold and colorful, with collage-like art. I'm partial to this one because it features a hound dog that looks like my pup. The dog eventually wins over the cat's heart with music played using a trombone that he digs up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews