Jenkins’ magnificent cut-and-torn paper collages illustrate this spritely introduction to the two most popular types of household pets. One side of the book gives us the basics on cats, with an emphasis on aspects of their behavior. Turn the book over and you’ll get the same sort of information about dogs. And just so you don’t forget about dogs when you’re reading about cats, each page spread has a small silhouette of a dog with a short dog-related fact that provides either a contrast or comparison to the information you’ve just read about cats. There is a paragraph or two of information, as well as pertinent captions under the illustrations. This cleverly designed volume is sure to be a favorite with young animal lovers, who will likely be as intrigued with Jenkins’ illustrations as they are with the information provided in the text. (Ages 6–11)

Are you a cat lover? A dog person? Either way, this book is for you! Read about how your favorite companion came to be a pet and how its body works. Then, flip the book over and find out about the other kind.

Once again Steve Jenkins takes children’s nonfiction to a new level. Here is an amazing book filled with great information, visual facts, and lots of animal history. The illustrations are so incredibly realistic, you’ll want to pet them!