CAT AND DOG

How much of a mess can a lazy cat and a small pooch make? Quite a bit, it turns out.

“A teeny tiny dog and a grumpy old kitty / were left home alone in a house near the city.” Little, brown Dog (a Chihuahua with a topknot) has energy to spare, and she bounces on the couch, imploring fluffy, old orange Cat (an enormous feline) to escape with her to the park for a day of fun. Cat thinks he’s far too recognizable to play around outside. Dog has the bright idea to go out in disguise; Cat acquiesces, thinking he can show off his superior style. The duo dives into their humans’ belongings (clothes, housewares, and food) to create their outfits. They make a big mess…but they’re so intent that they don’t notice. Cat reappears with a watermelon-rind helmet and a bright blue cape, and Dog sports goggles and a red cape. On their way to the door, a cape mishap turns on the fan, which blows everything about—and the house is a mega-mess when their owners unlatch the door. Some speedy cleaning saves the day, but their excursion will have to wait for another day. This Australian import (which already has a sequel Down Under) will bring to mind the furry, frenetic adventures of their countrymate Pig the Pug. The rhyming text of the simple story takes a back seat to the colorful mess of the illustrations. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.3-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 42.1% of actual size.)

This funny, fuzzy fracas will easily entertain the storytime set.