In perhaps his funniest picture book yet, Chris Gall (Substitute Creacher) takes on the age-old conflict between cat and dog.
Readers will sense the potential for tension as Mr. Button on one side of town picks out a "friendly-looking dog" from the pet store ("Pick me!" says the sign held by a bull dog; "I'll be your best friend!" reads the winning pooch's message), while Mrs. Button on the other side of town selects a "smart-looking cat" (a Persian's sign says, "Warning--High Maintenance"; "Whatever" reads the winner's remark). The pets draw a line down the middle of their shared quarters, and low-key Dog's side devolves into disarray, while Cat keeps everything just so. Things quickly get out of hand (er, paw), and each becomes determined to "get the other in trouble." But after they build a wall to divide their room, they remember all the good times they had together (one of their most comical memories depicts Dog trick-or-treating wearing a cat mask and Cat with a dog mask), and a common enemy (a new baby) seals their bond.
Gall gets each animal's characteristics to a tee, especially in his visual details. This will appeal to older siblings expecting a new baby and to both dog and cat people--in other words, to everyone. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness