I'm Not Going To Chase The Cat Today

I'm Not Going To Chase The Cat Today
by Jessica Harper

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About Book

From Publishers Weekly
Every dog has its dayAand this one's a dilly. Getting up from his nap (taken in a bed in his own fully appointed room), a sportily dressed dog confidently announces, "I don't want to chase the cat today!" That most uncharacteristic statement gets the cat to thinking: "Now that you mention it I don't want to chase the mouse today," she adds, turning a cartwheel. Before long, the mouse is in on the act, vowing not to chase the lady of the house. And "because nobody's chasing nobody today," the whole group celebrates by sharing juice and cake. Making her picture-book debut, actress and children's performer Harper adapts this chipper rhyming ditty from an original song found on her most recent recording, Rhythm in My Shoes. The story is buoyed by a gentle silliness and features an almost-familiar scenario that allows young readers a knowing enjoyment of the fun. DuPont, Harper's sister and also a newcomer to children's books, provides ink-and-watercolor compositions that benefit from long, lean lines and a crisp palette. Her overly anthropomorphic animals and snappy sense of movement across the pages add to the goofy good times. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-A dog wakes up from his nap and suddenly realizes that he doesn't feel like chasing the cat anymore. Scratching his head, he can't figure out "why I ever chased that cat. I must have been nuts, acting crazy like that." When the feline stops to think about her behavior, she, too, realizes she never liked chasing the mouse. The mouse in turn vows to "stop bothering the human race." All are relieved with the truce and they celebrate with a party, complete with a peace sign decorating the cake. The colorful, stylized illustrations convey a sense of newfound freedom: the chic cat in polka-dotted leotards turning cartwheels, the cool dog dancing around the room. The engaging repetition and rhyme of the text begs to be read aloud and a musical version of this story is featured on the author's CD Rhythm in My Shoes (Rounder Records). Perfect for introducing concepts of peace and friendship.
Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Parents' Choice®
This sprightly cautionary tale in enthusiastic support of the adage "One good turn deserves another," tells what happens when the family dog awakes from a nap resolving that he will not chase the cat today. His surprising change of heart inspires the family cat to decide not to chase the resident mouse. Unwilling to be out done, the mouse determines not to chase the lady of the house that day. When that gray-haired grand dame learns that "nobody's chasing nobody today!" she decides to throw a party. And what small listener/viewer will be able to resist that? This is a slight but merry confection for the very young.

Reviewed by Selma G. Lanes, Parents' Choice® 2000

From Kirkus Reviews
The Harper sisters join forces to illustrate that there is nothing wrong with being you, but sometimes that includes trying something unique. In this easy-going tale, songstress Jessica Harper (I Forgot My Shoes, 1999) and newcomer duPont show us how entertaining it can be to throw off the confines of habit. When the dog wakes up from his nap, he decides, I don't want to chase the cat today! He proceeds to try lots of different activities that are out of character, setting off a chain reaction. If the dog isn't chasing the cat, then the cat doesn't have to chase the mouse, and it follows that the mouse really isn't required to run headlong after the lady. So instead of the oft-repeated cycle of chase and be chased, this household has a party! With only a few words per page, this whimsical little book proves that spontaneity is liberating. Wacky and lively illustrations of stylishly dressed animals and amusing little details add zest to a story of a simple yet easily forgotten truth. (Picture book. 3-8) -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Book Description
The dog who chased the cat who chased the mouse who chased the lady...who invites you into the story to see just who is chasing whom today.

Card catalog description
One day the dog decides not to chase the cat, the cat decides not to chase the mouse, the mouse decides not to chase the lady, and they all have a party.

About the Author

Jessica Harper is an actor and singer-songwriter whose CDs of children's music have Won many honors, including the Parents' Choice Gold, Oppenheim Platinum, and NAPPA awards. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two daughters, Nora and Elizabeth.

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