Dog and Cat Shake a Leg: 5

This chapter book features little plot or character development, but its repetitive verbal and visual cues can aid beginners. Each of its four scenarios favors a somewhat staccato Dick-and-Jane style ""`Hello, Goose!' say Dog and Cat. / `Hello, Dog! Hello, Cat!' says Goose"") and feature an animal-buddy outing. Dog and Cat attend a dance; shop for hats; read; and try Rollerblading. Spohn replaces the rich, almost impressionistic art of her Broken Umbrellas with tidy cartoons that service the text with literal interpretations. An image of a house, pajamas, a book of ""Dog Tricks"" and a bone accompanies Dog's rhyme ""Home, home. / Home is sweet. / With pajamas / and a book / and a bone to eat""; a millinery shop's sign takes the shape of a hat. For a less workmanlike offering for the same audience, see My Brother, Ant (reviewed below). Ages 5-8. (Mar.)