04/01/2019
Getting from the title question to yes is challenging for Cat, a smoky black oblong with pointy ears and prominent claws, and Bird, a bright white circle with stick black legs and an aeronautical tail. As their brisk, all-dialogue story opens against a minimalist taupe backdrop, Cat insists, “I must eat you” because “it’s always been like that.” But Bird is unwilling to rule out friendship and counters with thoughtful gestures—like showing Cat a “fun box” to play in—then successfully demands reciprocity from Cat, who takes Bird to a trove of worms. Now they’re friendly, but real friendship requires common ground, and that’s nowhere in sight (“‘Do you like flying?’ ‘Of course not. I’m a cat’ ”). An offhand remark by Bird reveals a shared passion for painting, and the final spread finds them at their respective easels, creating a double portrait, the taupe pages joyously splattered with red, blue, green, yellow, and purple. Comic book artist Muir’s visually playful and astute volume suggests that no matter the species, becoming friends takes work—a delicate blend of thinly veiled negotiations and leaps of faith, with a soupçon of the serendipitous. Ages 4–8. (June)
Muir’s visually playful and astute volume suggests that no matter the species, becoming friends takes work—a delicate blend of thinly veiled negotiations and leaps of faith, with a soupçon of the serendipitous.” — Publishers Weekly
“Simple but effective, this book will appeal to little listeners who are themselvesfiguring out how to approach new friends, though it could certainly work for older (even grown-up) readers, too.” — Booklist
“The speech-only text, repetition, and spare, funny prose make this a treat for beginning readers, but picture-book audiences will relish the goofy friendship story as well.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“This hits the sweet spot for dry humor that’s still kid accessible...” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Interesting take on teaching young children to be friends, even with those most unlikely.” — School Library Journal
“A lovely addition to any public library.” — School Library Journal
Simple but effective, this book will appeal to little listeners who are themselvesfiguring out how to approach new friends, though it could certainly work for older (even grown-up) readers, too.
The speech-only text, repetition, and spare, funny prose make this a treat for beginning readers, but picture-book audiences will relish the goofy friendship story as well.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
The speech-only text, repetition, and spare, funny prose make this a treat for beginning readers, but picture-book audiences will relish the goofy friendship story as well.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Simple but effective, this book will appeal to little listeners who are themselvesfiguring out how to approach new friends, though it could certainly work for older (even grown-up) readers, too.
06/01/2019
PreS-K— This intriguing tale of a cat and a bird becoming friends will help very young readers understand that children can be different and still be friends. As the tale unfolds, Cat tells Bird that he must eat him because cats eat birds. Bird questions Cat's logic, and the feline replies that this is the way it's always been. Bird shows Cat places that he might find interesting like trees, boxes, and under cars. Cat then shows Bird activities like climbing on telephone wires and searching for twigs and worms. They decide to be friends until they figure out that neither of them likes the same things. Bird obviously doesn't like stretching and cat likes taking baths. Bird then turns around and says he's going home to paint. All of a sudden, Cat says, "I love painting!" Both then paint together. A lovely addition to any public library, this book sends the message that anyone can be friends despite their differences. The illustrations are mostly black and white except when the pair decide to become friends and the pages are suddenly in color. VERDICT Interesting take on teaching young children to be friends, even with those most unlikely.—Amy Lukich, Tinley Park Public Library, IL
2019-03-03
A dialogue between predator and prey upends the expected outcome of their encounter given their positions within the food chain.
Cat is ready to eat Bird, but the quick-thinking, diminutive creature has the sense to ask why. When the feline does not have a well-reasoned response, Bird suggests they become friends and sets out to show the surprised listener where to find the best box (for playing), the highest branch, and the most desirable car to hide under. Just as Cat is considering the possibilities, Bird raises reverse suitability questions. They finally decide to give it a go—until they realize they have nothing in common. Uncluttered, digital compositions are rendered in black (the cat) and white (the bird) on a taupe background; the type colors correspond to the respective characters, so there is no need for quotation marks or framing explanations. The caricatures are formed from stylized shapes with a limited range of expressions: The feline is essentially a rectangle topped with two curved, triangular ears, while the bird is a small white circle with wings, tail feathers, and thin legs. At the conclusion, the two discover that they both enjoy painting, so the palette expands as they render each other against a paint-splotched background.
It's mildly diverting, but there are a host of more compelling explorations of what it takes to be friends. (Picture book. 4-6)
