Ginger and the Mystery Visitor

PreS-Gr 2 The star of "Ginger"(1997) and "Ginger Finds a Home"(2003, both Candlewick) is back in another quietly stated and amusing story. A mystery cat has been visiting Ginger and the resident kitten, and it isn't long before he stays for dinner. Although annoyed at the stranger's cheek, the felines seem at a loss to prevent him from not only eating their food, but also from making himself quite at home. It's up to their little girl to establish if the mystery animal has a home at all. When she sends him off with a note attached to a ribbon around his neck, the response she receives puts everything into perspective. The cat's name is Tiddles, and he has been caught double-dipping. Exposed and chastised, he eventually moves on to new free lunches, but his familiar presence in the neighborhood continues to interest Ginger and the kitten. Although the scoundrel's bottomless appetite is the humorous heart of the book, this is a story about security and care. The book starts with the statement that Ginger and the kitten are lucky because they have a little girl who takes "very good care of them," and finishes with Tiddles headed toward his own dinner "waiting for him at HOME!" Children will laugh at the rascal's bold antics while enjoying the safe feeling the story creates. The minimalist yet highly expressive watercolor and ink illustrations are set against white pages, keeping the focus on the characters. This is a gentle book to share either in a group setting or, especially, one-on-one.-"Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.