Dog vs. Cat by Chris Gall (review)

When Mr. Button brings home a dog and Mrs. Button adopts a cat, the two critters have to learn to share the only available room in the house. Their very different habits, however, cause them to go paw to paw, each trying to oust the other from the household. Finally, they resort to a dividing wall but then find that they miss each other’s company; the addition of a disturbing new “pet” (a baby) further unites the pair, and together they build a pieced-together but peaceful joint palace in the Buttons’ backyard. The transition from initial antagonism to ultimate alliance is entertainingly depicted here, though with not quite as much punch as Jenkins’ That New Animal (BCCB 3/05). There’s plenty of comedy in the individual episodes of the two animals trying to figure each other out as well: Cat’s declaration that he has “indoor privileges” when it comes to potty habits and his horror at the dog poo between the pair’s outdoor chaise lounges (to which Dog archly replies, “I have outdoor privileges”) will elicit more than a few giggles. Gall’s detailed illustrations, in digitally enhanced colored pencil, are lively yet orderly, and black Cat’s perpetually grumpy mien and tan Dog’s slovenly habits add further humor to the text. Pet-loving kids, especially those with annoying younger siblings, may relate well to this title, or it could be paired with Bruel’s Poor Puppy and Bad Kitty for a cats vs. dogs storytime showdown.