Pig and Cat Are Pals

February 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 1-In this series entry, readers follow the anthropomorphic frolics of pink Pig and gray-striped Cat as they bike, swim, read, paint, and play hide-and-seek. One day, Pig spots a yellow dog flying a fish kite and their friendship ensues, excluding the tabby. Soon, Dog reaches out a paw and invites Cat to join them in skateboarding. Though the jacket guide claims the story is for "Level C readers," it would be appreciated by those less skilled. Florian (Pig is Big) has mixed success with the cartoons. The crayon and colored pencil artwork on manila paper suffers when the background palettes overpower the cheery details; some minor characters are difficult to see at all. However, in scenes like the bright blue swimming pool, the humor, and variety of other players shine. VERDICT This short and simple story serves to enhance reader confidence with its repetition in text.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2018
Can Pig and Cat's friendship endure when Dog appears on the scene?Many early readers include an odd-couple pair of friends whose interactions create the central drama of the plot. Not so in Florian's latest offering: Pig and Cat enjoy all the same things, and they enjoy doing them together. Rather than presenting a clash due to individual differences, Florian boosts the tension when Pig befriends Dog and leaves Cat in the dust. The text reads, "Cat is all alone. / Cat is sad," while accompanying crayon-and-colored-pencil illustrations use expressive techniques to isolate Cat and visually convey its sadness. The consciously childlike illustrations succeed in communicating emotion and offer many whimsical details that provide visual interest, but they may prove a bit busy for those working to find and decode the limited, controlled text on the pages, which seems aimed at the very newest of readers. This concern aside, readers of all abilities will grasp the story's happy ending: although Pig doesn't prove to be a terribly sensitive or attentive friend, Dog notices Cat's distress and says, "You can play with us," ushering in a conclusion in which "Pig and Cat and Dog are pals." A book for emergent readers to befriend. (Early reader. 5-7)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.