Bad dog / by Mike Boldt.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The differences between cats and dogs have never been funnier! In this hilarious story from the illustrator of I Don't Want to Be a Frog, a little girl really, really wants a dog . . . but gets a cat instead!

"Look what I got for my birthday! A pet dog!" says a little girl holding a . . . cat? Rocky doesn't listen or obey like all the other dogs. (Because Rocky is a cat.) And Rocky hates her leash and doesn't seem to like other dogs. (Probably because Rocky is a cat.) And rather than play fetch, Rocky prefers to . . . lick between her toes? Ew . Rocky is a bad "dog"! BUT Rocky doesn't bark, and is so cute when she sleeps in sunny spots. Maybe Rocky IS a good dog? (Or, you know, maybe Rocky is a cat.)

Cat lovers and dog lovers alike will howl with laughter at this little girl's willful insistence that her cat is a dog. The hilarious ways in which cats and dogs are different are brilliantly illuminated with each turn of the page and will leave young readers and their grown-ups giggling.

★ Winner: Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award, 2021
★ Winner: North Carolina Children's Book Award, 2022
★ Winner: Wyoming Library Association Buckaroo Award, 2021-22
★ Winner: Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award, 2021
★ Winner: Sakura Medal, Japan, 2022
★ Nominee: Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award, 2022

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

"Look what I got for my birthday!" says Boldt's (Thunder Trucks) deep-in-denial protagonist and narrator. "A pet dog!" Readers will immediately note that the girl is actually clutching a cat, who is throwing some serious side-eye at her new owner. As excited as the child is to have a pet, she has already deemed Rocky a "bad dog": the cat, naturally, won't come when she's called, refuses to socialize with other dogs (instead making a beeline for a tree), and views the prospect of a bath with abject, albeit humorous, feline horror. Gradually, the girl sheds her frustrations and starts seeing Rocky's advantages (for one, she "doesn't have accidents on the floor," preferring to use a potted plant); with a little snuggling and purring, it's finally acknowledged that "Rocky would make a pretty great cat." Boldt's sculptural characterizations and broad visual humor are a powerful comedy delivery mechanism, and while there's never really any doubt about a détente, it's fun to be a spectator at this battle of wills between the imperious Rocky and her gap-toothed, bobble-headed owner. Ages 3--7. Agent: Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Nov.)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2--A young girl desperately wants a dog for her birthday, so when she unwraps a large polka-dot package and pulls out a four-legged creature with fur, pointy ears, and a cute nose, she knows it's a "dog" and names it Rocky. Readers clearly see that she has received a cat. The feline gives her new owner an eye roll for her foolishness and is clearly is not amused by her owner's silly expectations. She refuses to learn any doggy tricks. What respectable cat would come when called, like to take walks, and enjoy baths?! The young girl concludes, repeatedly, that Rocky is a "bad dog" because of her failures, and the book's humor thrives in the disconnect between the girl's expectations and the cat's behavior. Children will also love the contrast between the facial expressions of the girl and the cat and will enjoy watching the antics of both. Eventually, the girl notices that Rocky doesn't bark, chew toys, or have accidents, and concludes that Rocky would make a pretty good cat. Boldt's illustrations are large in scale and wonderfully expressive. VERDICT This clever story celebrates the differences between cats and dogs and the owners who love them.--Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, CA

Booklist Review

Rocky is not a good dog, a young girl laments, and readers will quickly discern that there's a very good reason why not in this funny and entertaining tale of misidentification. A young girl's birthday wish list contains only one item: dog. When she receives a pet one who won't stop scratching things, likes to climb, and never barks she makes a perfectly understandable assumption that doesn't bode well for their relationship. She's frustrated: Rocky won't come when she's called, doesn't like other dogs but is just fine with the mailman, really likes to sleep, and exhibits plenty of other non-dog-like behaviors. Though the gap-toothed child studies a book titled Dog Trix for Good Dogs, its lessons do nothing to change Rocky's behavior. Large illustrations, placed on white backgrounds, engage readers with their humorous depictions of Rocky, her antics, and the girl's (and Rocky's) facial expressions. The text looks hand-lettered and is printed in black when the girl talks directly to readers and in red when giving commands to her pet. After the girl begins considering Rocky's virtues, she comes up with an idea that has Rocky and readers shaking their heads. Youngsters, especially those with a pet of one kind or another of their own at home, will delight in this case of mistaken identity.--Maryann Owen Copyright 2019 Booklist

Kirkus Book Review

Why won't this dog behave? (Well, it may be obvious to some.)The first and only thing on this little kid's birthday list was a dog. However, when the dog emerges from the polka-dot gift box, it turns out to be a bad one. Rocky won't come when she's called. Rocky would rather play with the leash than go for a walk like good dogs. She doesn't like other dogs, but she is a good climber (in fact, she climbs trees when other dogs are around). The eager protagonist tries to teach Rocky dog tricks, but Rocky is just not a good dog! What does Rocky like to do? Play with shoelaces, sleep in the sun, sleep on the laundry, and play in the waterof the fish tank. All that makes Rocky's owner think that her bad dog "with black-and-white fur. Pointy ears. And a cute little nose [might] make a pretty great cat." Boldt's tale of a bad dog will have young audiences hollering (and giggling) at the little protagonist, who keeps insisting the obviously feline birthday present is a dog. And what cat would make a good dog? The illustrations have an animation aestheticthe expressive child (who has olive skin and straight, black hair) and the pudgy calico are adorableand provide all of the laughs as they slyly contradict the protagonist's narration.A funny little tale of pet love. (Picture book. 2-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.