Some Cat!

PreS-Gr 2—Violet is a thin little cat who sits in a cage at the shelter. Imagining herself ruling a kingdom "with sharp claws and velvet paws," she arches her royal back and frightens away most people with her meows and hisses. A man and woman decide to give Violet a chance and take her home, where she quickly shows their two dogs who is in charge. George and Zippity, who first appeared in Casanova's Some Dog! (Farrar, 2007), stand aside as the cat eats first, plays with one dog's favorite toy, and sleeps in the other's hammock. The humans wonder if she will work out. When three stray dogs invade Violet's kingdom, she runs for her life. George and Zippity come to her rescue, arching their canine backs and snarling until the intruders flee. The grateful cat settles down at last, content to rule with purrs and soft velvet claws. Expressive watercolor-and-pencil illustrations capture the personalities of the animals and the kindness of their humans. Often-repeated animal cries—Violet's "Meowww!" with Zippity's "Ya-yippity!" and George's "Wa-roo-roo-roo-roo!"—make this a fun read-aloud and a real child pleaser. It will spark discussions about shelter animals and the importance of allowing them time to acclimate to their new homes.—Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN