Dogs and Cats

Bibliography:
Jenkins, Steve. 2007. Dogs and Cats. Boston, MA. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-618-50767-1

Plot Summary:
The title of this book, Dogs and Cats sounds very common and brings to mind images of a worn out library book, but this book is not ordinary. Jenkins, a dog and cat-owner, has created a book that satisfies the thirst for knowledge about two very popular animals--the cat and the dog. Many features make this book unique, perhaps most of all is the wealth of knowledge in a reader-friendly format. The author begins with the history of these animals, asking important questions along the way. For example, when introducing cats, the author asks, “How did these fierce and independent hunters become our companions? What makes them act the way they do?” He goes on to answer the question and relates intriguing facts along the way, “Originally, people kept these cats to control pests. Cats were very valuable in ancient Egypt—some were even worshiped as gods. Killing a cat was a crime punishable by death, and taking a cat out of the country was forbidden.” Finding out that killing a cat was punishable by death is a tidbit of knowledge that can keep a young reader motivated to keep turning the pages. Jenkins has done a stellar job creating a great depth of information in this book. For example, “When a cat rubs against a person’s legs, it’s not just being friendly. It is using a special scent gland to leave a message for other cats that says, ‘this person belongs to me.” If the reader begins with the cat side, he is teased with facts about dogs in the corners of the pages along the way-- begging for the book to be turned over to where the reader can then read about the other species.

Critical Analysis:
Jenkins is a well-known author and illustrator of nonfiction books for children and has won the Caldecott Honor for two of his books, What Do You Do With a Tail This Size? and Actual Size. The facts in his book Dogs and Cats seem to be accurate, but without a reference list or acknowledgement page, one does not know where he gained his knowledge to write such a factual book. It is just assumed that he is an expert on the subject.

The organization of this two-for-one, flipside book is simple, using subtitles to organize the information such as, “A mind of their own, Millions of cats, Out of Africa, The wildcat, Follow that mouse, I know what I like, From kitten to cat, What’s so special about a cat, I wonder, Amazing cat facts, and Friends or enemies.” While some of the subtitles seem vague, the illustrations on the page give further clues. This system of organization makes it more accessible, allowing the reader to pick and choose topics of interest.

The aforementioned flipside layout of this book is novel and appealing. It seems very appropriate for cats and dogs to be on the flipside of the same book. The author has designed a very inviting book with beautiful collage illustrations. The collage is made from cut and torn paper, with much of the paper was made by hand. Many of the collages are tactile. If the reader runs his or her hand over the pages, several of the pictures feel rough against the background paper, almost as if you are petting the animal.

It is obvious that the author enjoys this subject matter. The author’s tone is friendly as he imparts knowledge such as, “Pet dogs think of the people they live with as their pack. It’s important to let a dog know that a human is its pack leader. A dog that thinks it is in charge can be troublesome – even dangerous.”

Jenkins has written and illustrated a book worthy of reading more than once!

Review Excerpts:
From School Library JournalStarred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 5–This could have been just another book about pets, albeit with a clever gimmick (after reading about one of the species, youngsters can flip the volume over to learn about the other). However, Jenkins has created a book that reaches beyond the mundane and into the spectacular. The two halves of this whole are intertwined throughout. In the part about dogs, cat icons serve as teasers for the other section, and vice versa. The two halves meet in the center with a large illustration of a cat and dog lying together on a rug-a seamless transition from one subject to the other. The lively narrative provides a copious amount of information, examining each species in human history, describing evolution and domestication, highlighting physical characteristics and behaviors, and finishing up with amazing facts about each animal. The layout is excellent, with images dominating the text. Jenkins's cut- and torn-paper collages are stunning. Rough edges look like tufts of fur; patterns in the paper give these flat images vitality. This is a thoroughly attractive package from start to finish. Shared aloud, it is a treat not to be missed.–Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From BooklistAward-winning illustrator-author Jenkins offers readers a delightful and insightful grab bag of facts about a human's best friends. Yes, friends--plural. Because this book is a twofer: when you've finished reading about dogs, you simply turn the oversize book around, and there--presto--is a similar format about cats. The two animals meet in the middle in a double-page spread that shows the natural antagonists harmoniously sharing a space. The information--about the respective species' origins, special characteristics, "amazing" facts, etc.--is widely available elsewhere, but this offers a good introduction for novice naturalists. Moreover, this title has something the others don't: cut-and-torn-paper collage^B pictures that alone are worth the price of admission. Dynamic, intricate, and informed by affectionate humor, they show dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes and packed with personality. The clever collages have an almost 3-D effect, so much so that kids--and adults--will want to reach out and pet. Michael Cart

Reviews accessed at:
http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Cats-Steve-Jenkins/dp/0618507671/ref=sr_1_1/002-5594863-6947211?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193188661&sr=8-1

Connections:
Jenkins, Steve. 2004. Actual Size. Boston, MA. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618375945.

Jenkins, Steve. 2005. Prehistoric Actual Size. Boston, MA. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618535780.

Jenkins, Steve. 1997. Biggest, Strongest, Fastest. Boston, MA. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395861365.