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| Dog cover for the book |
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| Cat cover for the book |
A. Bibliography
Jenkins, Steve. Dogs and Cats. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2007. ISBN: 978-0618507672
B. Plot Summary
In the book Dogs and Cats, Steve Jenkins creates an informational book that offers readers two books in one. If the reader would like information about dogs, they simply turn to the side of the book with the dog on the cover. If the reader wants information about cats, the reader simply turns to the side with the cat on the cover. This book is intended for readers seeking information about the origin of cats and dogs, the different breeds and other interesting facts about these two kinds of animals. Jenkins also relates the books to reader by explaining how and why these two types of animals get along with humans.
C. Critical Analysis
Dogs and
Cats is an informational book
written by Steve Jenkins. The book is
divided into two separate sections and even though they are separated, Jenkins
does a great job of offering dog and cat comparisons throughout both portions
of the book. Jenkins has written many
non-fiction books and this is just one of his many kid-friendly books in his
collection. The reader will be
enthralled with Jenkins use of headings, illustrations and facts on every part
of the page. The book will attract
readers from all ages and backgrounds.
In the dog portion of the book, Jenkins
adds in little tidbits of information about cats on almost every page and does
the same with the cat portion of the book.
There are dog tidbits of information on each cat page. Each fact is a comparison to the facts being
offered about the dog or cat on that page.
This is a unique way to get readers to look at each species at the same
time even though he has put them in two different sections. In most of the book, Jenkins starts each piece
of information with a question like, “Whose the boss?” in the dog section or
“What’s so special about a cat?” in the cat section. This offers insight to what the writing to
follow is going to address. I also think
it helps draw the reader in and build suspense for answering the question.
Jenkins is also the
illustrator of this book. He uses torn
paper to illustrate the book. At first
glance, it is not noticeable that the illustrations are with paper because
he does such a wonderful job of making each of the different types of dogs and cats
look completely identifiable to their different types of breed. I can’t
imagine how difficult it would be to find all of the different types and colors
of paper he would have to use to make these illustrations so accurate. Jenkins mentioned in a note at the beginning
of the dog section of this book that he used paper from Egypt, France, India,
Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand, the Philippines, and the United
States. The illustrations of this
informational book bleed off the pages and also vary in size. The illustrations are proportional to the breed of the animal. He does mention in the book that domestic cats do not vary in size like domestic dogs do. Every page is different from the last and
keeps readers interested in what is coming next.
My favorite part of the book is where he
marries both portions of the book. It
occurs in the middle of the book where the dog portion meets the cat
portion. The section is titled the same
on both pages, “Friends or enemies?” and information about both cats and dogs
being friends or enemies in written on both pages. The illustration is of a cat and dog laying on a rug and they seem like they are playing. This book is
one that readers will return to time and time again. Through their exploration of this book, they
will learn more and more about the different characteristics of dogs and cats.
D. Review Excerpt
Kirkus Revies posted this about the book Dogs and Cats,
"A turn-it-around-and-flip-it-over volume
delivers from ends to middle the straight goods on the world’s most
popular house pets, a cleanly innovative design allowing interaction
between the two parts throughout. Jenkins’s usual striking collages of
cut and torn paper create his subjects in all their textures as he
describes their prehistoric passages to domesticity and various and
sundry facts about our canine and feline friends. The two narratives
mirror each other, essentially following the same structure and at times
asking the same questions (the answers to “Are dogs smarter than cats?”
and “Are cats smarter than dogs?” for instance, hedge their bets
diplomatically). Each double-paged spread features one thematic
discussion, images arrayed on a clean white background and smaller
sidebars providing additional information. Nothing new here, but the
addition of icons at the bottom of each spread shows the other animal
and gives one small, related fact, adding an element of interactivity
that both teases and pleases. Sure to see plenty of use. (Picture book/nonfiction. 6-10)"
E. Awards
School Library Journal, Best Book of the Year
F. Connections
Author's Website: Steve Jenkins
Meet the Author Movie on "Teachingbooks.net"
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| ISBN: 978-0545046510 |
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| ISBN: 978-0547512914 |
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| ISBN: 061896620X |
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