Catch Me

February 1, 2019
A color-changing dog and cat chase each other through this double-sided, seek-and-find book.Little Woof, a spotted dog, and Big Meow, a long-necked cat, are on the hunt for each other. They both change color to blend in with their surroundings as they run through 11 scenes. Follow the pages from left to right to catch Big Meow or from right to left to catch Little Woof. Each direction includes a spread introducing the characters before the chase begins. The seek-and-find pages are wordless except for a sign with the katakana for "Neko Sakura" ("cat" and "cherry blossom" in Japanese) in a cafe scene with a pink background, blossoming cherry trees, and lots and lots of cats. Since Arhoj's (Find Me: A Hide-and-Seek Book, 2017) bright, digital illustrations saturate a full spread, the gutter distorts some of the images. Some of the backgrounds are lighthearted, such as a carnival in the clouds or an animal spa, but others have an edgier quality, perhaps most particularly a scene of an alley inhabited by glowing-eyed shadow creatures and a centipede-legged dachshund wiggling out of a garbage can. The changes in color add another level of engagement and challenge to the game. While the text only prompts readers to find the same two characters throughout the book, every scene is a wonderland to explore, with eye-catching creatures immersed in surprising activities.A quirky seek-and-find adventure with a familiar cat-versus-dog rivalry. (Picture book. 3-6)

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July 1, 2019
A dog invites readers to search busy, colorful pages for a cat. After eleven double-page spreads, the cat encourages readers to re-search the pages from back to front to find the dog. Both animals change colors as they travel past wide-eyed cartoon creatures in fantastic settings. The illustrations aren't subtle, but this offering will engage those who enjoy poring over minutiae.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)