See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog
A teacher’s look at why this book belongs in the Read-to-Me, Read-by-Me stage.
Why it fits Read-to-Me, Read-by-Me (for the kindergarten-ready set, between being read to and reading alone)
The book narrates a cat; the dog protests - and the new reader is in on the argument. Metafiction simple enough for a five-year-old is a small miracle. Winner of the Geisel Award, the easy-reader Oscar.
What makes it special
The book argues with itself — the narration insists on a cat, the dog objects — and the new reader referees. Mike Wohnoutka's expressive dog does more acting than most film leads. Metafiction at the see-spot-run level is a genuine innovation, and the Geisel committee agreed.
About David LaRochelle
David LaRochelle spent years as an elementary teacher before winning the Geisel Award (See the Cat) — his easy readers are beloved precisely because they're built by someone who watched hundreds of children meet their first sentences.
Also by this author: See the Dog: Three Stories About a Cat · Moo! · How to Apologize
More from “I Can Read This Myself”
This book is part of The Best Books for Beginning Readers: 30 Teacher Picks (Read-to-Me, Read-by-Me) in our guide The Best Children’s Books by Age — 120 books chosen by the Montessori-certified teachers at Creative Minds Montessori in Frisco, TX. Come see how we build readers →
Nobody paid for this review — not the author, not the publisher — and the store link above earns us nothing. Our only interest is the reader this book fits.