Two Together
by Brendan Wenzel; illus. by the author
Preschool, Primary    Chronicle    40 pp.
4/24    9781797202778    $18.99

This companion to They All Saw a Cat (rev. 11/16) and Inside Cat (rev. 11/21) follows a cat and dog as they each confront and perceive the surprises that await them. At first, the dog is rendered with bold, painterly strokes while the cat is depicted with softer hues and pencil-like lines. As the duo interacts with creatures and structures along their path, different forms showcase each animal’s unique outlook. In some instances, a point of focus (a bee, a house) is drawn in dueling styles, revealing contrasts (or similarities) between the two characters’ points of view. A stream is jaggedly drawn for the cat, but calmer, rounder curves spotlight the dog’s perception of it; two different styles depict a bear (frightening to both) with shaky intensity. Short sentences pace the textual narrative with thrilling immediacy. As day turns to night, vibrant colors on darker backgrounds drown out the once-hefty white space, filling the page as the starry skies and the animals’ house (now within reach) are brightly illuminated. At this point, perspectives and styles switch: the cat is illustrated the way the dog was earlier and vice versa. A new cohesive visual style emerges as the pets enter their home and snuggle together before running outside for another adventure. A thought-provoking celebration of stepping into the unknown and working to understand and embrace the lenses of others.

Pubissue-From the March/April 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.