Percy is tired of being one dog all alone in a house FULL OF CATS! He’s leaving for a magical place where he can be free: THE DOG PARK.
Percy always gets the blame for being rough, even though chasing those boring cats and eating their food is just a game. So, when he leaves and comes upon the dog park filled with handsome and elegant dogs, he knows he will have fun and it all will be fine. But when he finds free food, a bigger dog comes along and takes it from him. When he finds a delicious bone, the other dogs chase him and are no longer elegant. They are bossy and rough and Percy has had enough. He wants to go home, to the glorious melody of YEEEOOOWLLL, where he knows he is wanted and missed and always Top Dog.
In this second collaboration between author, Maura Finn and illustrator, Lucinda Gifford, Percy from Too Many Cats is again brought to life. Finn’s use of joyful rhyme and rhythm is such that you can hear his voice in every sentence. Her descriptions of the contrast between dogs and cats, in Percy’s eyes, are hilarious … cats being boring and rude and dogs being elegant and handsome. Of course, this view changes but he stays true to his personality.
Gifford’s illustrations are just brilliant, with the bright colours and distinct outlines heightening the humour and emphasizing the physicality, personalities and expressions of the characters. Change in text is also used to emphasise important words. The layout and distribution of the single- and double-page spreads is perfect with the centre page being a closeup of Percy and the large dog fighting over food … “That’s mine! GGRRRRR”. Now that’s creatively clever and will further entertain little ones.
This is a truly delightful and entertaining book. The endpapers, with the comical names of the cats and dogs (created by year 2 students) will draw children into the story. This simple story about being true to your nature and finding your place, points out that it may not necessarily mean being with those who are just like you. It could also be said that perhaps we don’t appreciate our place until we try someplace else.
I highly recommend it for dog and cat (or people) lovers of any age.
Percy is tired of being one dog all alone in a house FULL OF CATS! He’s leaving for a magical place where he can be free: THE DOG PARK.
