(3) PS Illustrated by Bob Staake. In rhyming text, a girl enthusiastically highlights the different types of cats she sees in her city. "Big cats, little cats. Thin cats, fat cats"--she loves them all! Ultimately, the young cat fancier receives her own kitten. Staake's cartoony mixed-media illustrations in bold geometric shapes and bright colors, new to this edition, suit the comical and occasionally quirky text.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) PS Illustrated by Bob Staake. A little boy spends the length of this book singing the praises of his favorite animal: "I love dogs! / Curly dogs, burly dogs. / Hairy dogs, scary dogs." The narrative doesn't exactly push the envelope or break new ground, but who can quibble with easy-on-the-tongue rhymes and joy-filled, razor-sharp illustrations of people and canines meeting eye-to-oversize-eye?

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Mortimer. Snow Kitten comes across Santa's Christmas Eve gear scattered throughout the house. After falling asleep in Santa's sack, the kitty inadvertently joins him for his annual journey. Fans of Mortimer's realistic cat illustrations won't be disappointed, though the lackluster story featuring Stainton's Snow Cat character promises adventure it doesn't deliver.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Mortimer. A chocolatier feels uninspired until "one day, for no particular reason," he molds chocolate mice. His cat delivers them to other shop proprietors, unlocking a wealth of creativity that transforms the entire village from drab to delicious. Though the meandering text is hard to follow, richly colored illustrations on pages bordered with treats entice the eye and flavor the story.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) PS Illustrated by Eva Melhuish. Little Santa, the caretaker of the forest, creates a Christmas surprise for his animal friends by borrowing bells from the reindeer and hanging them on a tree deep in the woods. When the animals search for the bells, they're treated to a magical jingling concert. Readers seeking light holiday fare can enjoy examining the illustrations for glimpses of the mischievous Little Santa.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) PS Illustrated by Anne Mortimer. The off-stage narrator loves all cats: "Dancing cats, prancing cats. / Wiry cats, fiery cats..." The bouncy, rhythmic text, set in different fonts, is brought to life by Mortimer's humorous illustrations of realistic-looking cats involved in playful activities. Fans of felines will enjoy the romp.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Anne Mortimer. A twenty-four-candle lantern atop a lighthouse is tended to by a lonely keeper. Company arrives in the form of a cat stowed away in a supply delivery. When a storm whips up and extinguishes the lantern, it is the cat and his feline friends that save a ship from ruin. While the plot is far-fetched, the realistic art will appeal to cat lovers.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen