Angus and the Cat

Angus

by Marjorie Flack

From Caldecott Honor-winning children’s author and illustrator Marjorie Flack comes an adventure featuring her beloved Scottish terrier who must learn to get along with a new member of the family in Angus and the Cat .

Angus’s world is turned upside down when a feline joins the household. She’s eating his food, napping in his favorite sun-filled places, and jumping out of reach whenever he chases her. Peace and quiet resumes when the cat disappears, but Angus finds himself missing his new friend.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1931

About the author

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjori...

Marjorie Flack was an American artist and writer of children's picture books. She was best known for The Story about Ping (1933), illustrated by Kurt Wiese, popularized by Captain Kangaroo, and for her stories of an insatiably curious Scottish terrier named Angus, who was actually her dog. Her first marriage was to artist Karl Larsson; she later married poet William Rose Benét.

Her book Angus Lost was featured prominently in the film Ask the Dust (2006), starring Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek, in which Farrell's character teaches Hayek's character, a Mexican, to read English using Flack's book.

Flack's grandson, Tim Barnum, and his wife, Darlene Enix-Barnum, currently sponsor an annual creative writing award at Anne Arundel Community College. The Marjorie Flack Award for Fiction consists of a $250 prize for the best short story or children's storybook written by a current AACC student.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little black Scottish terrier called Angus is curious about cats but has never had the chance to satisfy his curiosity as they're so hard to get close to. One day Angus has his wish granted and finds one in his house. Oh dear, it looks like this one has come to stay. After a bit of swiping, chasing and hide and seek the cat goes off to get some peace and Angus discovers he actually misses his new friend.

This book has such beautiful illustrations, alternating between colour pages and black and white with wonderfully observed and very cute dog and cat drawings. A humorous and thoroughly entertaining read.

Read on open library.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo darling! I love the illustrations (1930s) and the sweet story about Angus the dog and his new housemate, the cat! At first, he is not so sure he likes the cat (especially when she sits around bathing herself in HIS favorite sun patch!) but when he can't find her one day, he realizes that perhaps she had made herself right at home in his heart. Great message here and could even be used in families with a "new baby" situation.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the inside covers first and was gratified to see that there was a real Angus, the family pet of the author-illustrator. I think knowing that made me appreciate this book more, and I’m interested in reading the other Angus books. I have to wonder whether I had any of these books read to me when I was young, but I don’t think so, even though they were around by the time I was born.

This is an extraordinarily cute story about how Angus grows up, learning useful things, but while curious about cats is not able to learn anything about them, and then he finds a cat in his house, a cat whose behaviors are a bit of a nuisance for Angus. Angue spends his time trying to chase/get to/meet the cat, and then what happens next and what happens at the end is adorable. I was glad to see what little animosity there was between dog and cat involved access to resources and not because they’re enemies. I love the ending, which shows them now used to each other and therefore getting along.

This is a wonderful read aloud story, as there is room to have a lot of fun with verbal expressiveness.

I really enjoyed the vintage illustrations and chuckled at the one with the cat on the roof, although I did wonder about Angus’s apparent poor sense of smell, for a dog that is.

4 ½ stars

[Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was little I had a Scotch terrier named Angus and a marmalade tom cat named Mickey Mouser [Shut up! I was four]. They were best friends. Angus would chase Mickey down the hall, and when they reached the far end, they would reverse and Mickey would chase Angus.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angus the Scottish terrier - whose encounter with some territorial anatine rivals is chronicled in the hilarious Angus and the Ducks - returns in this second delightful adventure, just as enthusiastically curious as ever. The object of his interest this time around is the new resident of his home: a feline interloper who likes to sleep on Angus' couch, tries to steal Angus' food, and proceeds to sleep in Angus' patch of sunshine. The little dog's efforts to defend his territory inevitably result in his enemy retreating to spots too high for the little dog to reach, until, after a particularly memorable chase, it appears that the cat has been routed. Angus has won! Or has he? Most importantly, does he really want to...?

These vintage picture-books about Angus, original published in the early 1930s, have a jovial quality to them that is very pleasing! The stories themselves are engaging, the typographical decisions - the use of capitalization for emphasis, the layout of the text, in order to coordinate with the images - are astute, and the artwork is adorable. Angus and the Cat continues the process whereby its eager young canine hero learns more about the world, and how to interact with it, and can be read either as a simple animal story, or as a tale with significance for children who have mixed feelings about a new sibling. Recommended to all young dog lovers, and to fans of the impetuous Angus.

[Jackie "the Librarian" · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But there was SOMETHING outdoors Angus was very curious about but had NEVER learned about, and that was CATS. The leash was TOO short."
Angus finds out all about cats when one shows up IN HIS HOUSE. Hey, she's in HIS own special square of sunshine, WASHING HER FACE, though not for long.
I love this classic! There's a reference librarian who works with me whose name is Angus, and SOMEONE keeps putting these Angus books on hold for him. But it's NOT ME. :D

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story about a dog and a cat learning to live together.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, maybe I snapped: but it's hot here, I've been under a LOT OF PRESSURE lately and postmodern/postcolonial/postpostmo literature just isn't doing it for me anymore. I feel like lying under my blankie and sucking my thumb. So when I saw Angus and the Cat sitting on a shelf at the library, I had to pick it up. I remember reading this book out loud to my classmate Scott when we were in kindergarten, and our teacher thought I was a freak. Good memories. The retro illustrations by Marjorie Flack are wonderful. Angus reminds me of all the marvelous, mischievous little dogs I was honored to have as members of my family. For the people who took stars off just because Flack uses capital letters too often, I wanted to write this entire review in caps just to annoy you. Kids love this sort of thing, onomatopoeia and CAPITAL LETTERS and animals making noises---why do you think comic books are popular with the young?---even though the tone of this book is hushed in comparison to some of the stuff that passes for children's literature nowadays. Read this book aloud to your children and let them judge whether the capital letters are annoying.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up with the Angus books. I always liked them, especially the illustrations.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor old dog Angus! He has to learn new tricks when a cat suddenly comes to live in HIS house! Sweet story about friendship.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Angus ... and I don't usually care for animal stories. But Angus is so fun and lovable; somehow he was able to surpass my semi-anti-animal-story-ness.

Ages: 4 - 8

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[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Each day as Angus grew older he grew longer but not much higher. Scottie dogs grow that way. Now as Angus grew older and longer he learned MANY THINGS.

Premise/plot: After a few pages sharing what Angus has learned, readers learn that there was one thing Angus was very curious about but had never learned about: CATS. He will have plenty of opportunity to do so when his owner (whom we never see) adopts a cat. Will Angus and the new cat get along?! How much will life change for Angus?!

My thoughts: This is a great little story! I was not familiar with this classic. I discovered it at a local charity bookstore earlier this month. It was instant love on my part!!! I adore the illustrations. And the story is super-sweet!

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 -
I don't know what to say. I saw this at the library the other day and as soon as I saw the authors name on the cover I remembered poor little Ping. I hate that book with a passion. I almost didn't take this out but I found myself wanting to know if little old Angus would end up getting his ass kicked too.
He doesn't. Apparently Flack only hates little yellow ducks. Sooooo, I read this alone first because of Ping and I don't especially enjoy my child hearing stories about animals being beaten.
After finding out that Angus doesn't, in fact, lead the sad little life our poor Ping had to deal with, I read this with my daughter.
The biggest thing, good or bad, that stayed with me is all the needless - and wrong - capitalization. Why?

There JUST isn't any need FOR it. It's ACTUALLY very annoying.
I also didn't
like how she
wrote the book leaving sentences

just hanging there. That's
very annoying also.

(See?)


The story itself is actually a nice one. It's cute, it's about a cute little dog and a cute little cat and how they aren't really feeling each other at first but then start to become friends. Cute enough.
I have to admit though, the whole 'sentence hanging' and capitalization thing reeked of 'let's try something that isn't usually done and then everyone will think I'm cool'. I didn't like it. As if I needed to put that out there, HUH?

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angus is a curious little dog who is getting into trouble whenever his leash doesn't prevent him. My three-year-old son loved Angus and the Ducks, and this one is almost as good. Highly recommended!

[Robert Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this second installment, as Angus, the ever curious little Scottish Terrier, finds a new friend has invaded his home. My favorite scene shows Angus staring out a window, and in the background is shown a panorama of the neighborhood, and the ducks from the previous book are shown.

[Shanti]

Angus is a small Scottish terrier whose curiosity is often thwarted by the leash around his neck. Then one day he finds a small cat inside the house. Unrestrained by the leash he tries to get closer but the cat always jumps up and out of reach.

Reminiscent of a young child experiencing the addition of a new baby in the family, Angus is both curious and exasperated by the young cat who takes his food, naps in his favorite spot and seems to be able to go wherever she pleases.

After the cat disappears one morning Angus realizes he misses her and welcomes her back when she arrives at lunch time--to eat Angus' food.

[Allie F · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole Angus series is a must-own. The illustrations are wonderfully memorable with the interchange from the black-and-white spreads to the bizarre, vibrantly glowing ones. Fabulous! Angus has so much personality. We call Scotties "Angus dogs" more often than not around here.

[Trishbowen1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorites as a young child. We didn't own it, and my mom and I walked a long way to the library to check it out regularly. It must have been my top request. It has great illustrations, a great message, and some fun wordplay.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another classic.

[Tobi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Mostly for the illustrations, which were beautiful. The way Angus and the cat were drawn was very emotive and realistic.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

We enjoyed Angus very much. I found several at the library. Angus and the ducks and Angus lost. These are simple but cute stories with charming illustrations.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Alyssa Haverfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the use (and opposing lack) of color in this book. Plus, I enjoy seeing animals join together as a family. Cats and dogs are awesome!

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a Welshie named Angus. I could not afford to pass on this enjoyable and wonderfully illustrated book.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short ans sweet

[Carole Skees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute tail on companionship.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute so good

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Angus finally gets a housemate: a kitty!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angus and the Cat by Marjorie Flack is the second of three books about the curious young Scottish Terrier, Angus, inclding the later Angus Lost, and the first Angus and the Ducks.

Angus's curiousity has helped him learn MANY THINGS. Because Angus is usually on a short leash, however, he has never learned about CATS. One day, the terrier finds a strange little CAT lying on the SOFA. When Angus gets too close, the cat goes SISS-S-S-S-S-S!!! and boxed Angus's ears! After Angus barks, the cat jumps all the way up onto the mantel where Angus can't reach her! When the cat tries to take Angus's food, and sit in Angus's own special square of sunshine, the cat always jumps up out of Angus's reach. THAT CAT keeps jumping up out of reach for THREE whole days. On the fourth day Angus chased her UP-THE-STAIRS into the bedroom and she was completely GONE, even when Angus looked out of the window! Angus looks everywhere but there is no cat. Angus was ALL-ALONE and had NOTHING-TO-Do. Angus missed the little cat. At lunch time - Angus heard a PURRRRR. Then Angus and the Cat knew that Angus was glad the cat came back!

Flack's text uses capitalization and hyphenization for added emphasis. The arrangement of the type suggests movement. The animal sounds, like Woo-oo-oof! and SISS-S-S-S-S-S!!!, will be repeated by young readers.

Flack's illustrations add to the humor. The body language of the cat and Angus are captured very realisticly, as is the motion of their encounters. I enjoyed the illustrations, alternating between two facing black and white pages, then two facing color pages. My favorite illustrations are of Angus straining at his leash toward a cat and kittens, and the clever cat on the roof with the two ducks from the previous book visible beyond the hedge.

This 1931 creation with the feisty black dog and very clever cat is a classic, my favorite of the series, and a successful read-aloud with a group or one on one. The themes of curiosity, acceptance and friendship are simply but effectively explored. I recommend it for school and public library collections.

For ages 3 to 7, dogs, cats, curiosity, humor, friendship, acceptance, and fans of Angus, and of Marjorie Flack.