Cat

PreS Van Fleet follows up the popular "Tails" (Harcourt, 2003) and "Dog" (S & S, 2007) with this interactive novelty book aimed at toddlers but photographed for cat lovers. Stanton has captured an impressive array of expressions on his subjects: a cheeky Himalayan sticking out its tongue, a regally bored Bengal, a gentle Kurilian Bobtail asleep beside a parrot. The text consists of simple rhymes designed to describe different types of cats and what they do. Sue Stainton's "I Love Cats" (Harper Collins, 2007) and Patricia Hubbell's "I Like Cats" (North-South, 2003) are just a couple of similar titles that come to mind. The inclusion of furry tails to pat, flaps to lift, and tabs to pull is designed to engage young readers, although it will probably just lead to damaged books. The photographs are engaging enough and should continue to hold attention after the novelty wears off. Buy where the other Van Fleet titles are popular. --Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Created in the style of 2007s "Dog", this compact photographic book showcases as many varieties of cats as it does interactive components. Tabs enable playful motion: on the cover, a gray cat dips his paw into a fish bowl; inside, a Bengal swats at a ball of yarn and a swishing slinky cat tail twitches. Other cats are pictured next to descriptive titles: a fluffy aristocat sits on a tuffet while a nice cat dozes next to a parrot. A scraggly cat features a furry cutout, while a hairless, scary cat (a Sphynx) lives up to its moniker. The final panels offer portraits of the cast of characters, with their names and breeds. The lively diversity of felines makes this as appropriate on a coffee table as in a playroom. Ages 2up. (Feb.)

Copyright 2009 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.