  | You make me sneeze! Author: Flake, Sharon G. | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
Best friends Duck and Cat have a problem--Cat makes Duck sneeze! "I think--achoo!--I'm allergic to you," Duck declares. Hilarity ensues as Cat keeps trying to solve the problem--but Duck keeps sneezing! Is Duck really allergic to Cat or is something else going on?
| Illustrator: | Raff, Anna |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (-) (12/01/23)
School Library Journal (03/29/24)
Booklist (02/15/24)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 03/29/2024 K-Gr 3—Cat and Bird face a change in their friendship while on a camping trip. Bird begins to sneeze. Cat kindly starts to cook up some healing tickle-bark tea while Bird hypothesizes that the problem is being newly allergic to Cat. The sneezes are tremendous, body-shaking ones. Cat dons a sleeping bag, then a pot for a hat, covering as much fur as possible at Bird's request. Then Cat is banished to outside the tent. Bird's vision, because of the allergic reaction, is compromised. Bird's bossiness, coming from a desperate allergic reaction, borders on bullying. Cat, responding, sends Bird home, though they are in a wilderness. Then Bird is contrite, pledging lifelong friendship, and flowers in Cat's backpack are proven the source of the allergy. Honestly, kids with fur allergies will be perplexed for at least a beat—is it really just pollen they are allergic to? The dialogue reads like two adults bickering, but with occasional barbs. A massively confusing story in conversation, conveyed only through speech bubbles, this comic book-style picture book is bruising in so many ways. VERDICT A nothingburger with a side of mean. Children and caretakers dealing with miserable and even life-threatening allergies may not see anything funny here at all.—Kimberly Olson Fakih - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 02/15/2024 In Cat and Duck’s second book, it appears the bird has an allergy to felines. This poses a problem, as the two have become friends and are going on a camping trip together. As Duck describes his symptoms, which range from constant sneezing to an itchy beak to watery eyes, Cat attempts to help ease his pal’s distress by offering tickle-bark tea and a bath in the lake. When those recommendations don't help, Duck suggests that Cat cover his fur by wearing a coat and a hat. This seems to do the trick, but a bit more discussion brings about the real cause of Duck’s allergic reactions as Cat describes his morning activities. Raff’s illustrations are soft but colorful, filled with movement and speech bubbles interspersed with Duck’s numerous achoos. Though Duck and Cat stories won’t replace the Elephant and Piggie tales, children may enjoy the colorful illustrations along with the actions and discussions the two friends share. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
