“A Dog Named Cat” by Anne Toole

A DOG NAMED CAT

Anne Toole
Outskirts Press (2016)
ISBN 9781478773399
Reviewed by Rose Whitacre (age 6) for Reader Views

“A Dog Named Cat” by Anne Toole is a book that any kid would enjoy reading. It’s about a dog named Cat by the baby in his family. He discovers through his animal friends that cats aren’t animals he wants to be like. He didn’t like to chase things like birds, mice and fish, and he didn’t meow like a cat, so he didn’t want to be named Cat. He didn’t like his name because he wasn’t a cat. When he finally met a real cat and learned about cats, he said, “I have learned that a cat is not very nice. It likes to get fish and it is always chasing birds and mice. That doesn’t seem right to me. A cat should just let them be. I don’t like cats, and that’s that!”

He tried barking at everyone to get them to change his name, but that didn’t work. When people called his name, he wouldn’t come.  That didn’t work either.  Something finally happened to get the family to change his name, but you have to read the book to find out!

It was funny at first that the dog’s name was Cat, but later on he took it more seriously and didn’t like his name. I understand what Cat was trying to do because sometimes the same thing happens to me. People don’t always understand me, so I have to figure out another way to let them know what I’m trying to say. I also like how Cat kept trying and didn’t give up. He loved his family even though he didn’t like the name they gave him. I’m glad I like the name my parents gave me.

I liked that Cat was able to change his name. I think other kids my age would like “A Dog Named Cat” by Anne Toole, especially if they like animals. I like how it rhymes – it makes it fun to read. The pictures in this book are bright, colorful, and interesting. They look like cartoons. The dog named Cat is really cute.