Dog and Cat

This spirited book tells of two neighbors: a big dog that dreams of chasing cats, and a sleepy feline. One day they meet, and the result is truly chaotic. The dog barks, the frightened kitty scrambles up a tree, where it ``puffed its fur, curled its tail, arched its back, flattened its ears, and glared at the dog.'' Reiser ( Bedtime Cat) deftly presents this bustling confrontation in a cheerful style; her lively, well-chosen words trail the vibrant, colorful illustrations across the pages. Images run riot in this free-for-all: the orange-and-gray-streaked cat leaps--in bold lettering--at the blue-collared, yellow canine that twists and turns as the text follows his actions. Reiser captures the spunk and energy of two animals that readers will surely want to chase through these merry pages. Ages 3-up. (Mar.)