The Jasmine Sneeze (Lantana Global Picture Books)

In Damascus, Haroun the cat relishes his life sleeping in a courtyard and participating in moonlight karaoke with other cats. However, he is allergic to jasmine, the city's nickname sake. He offsets the offending odor by placing leftover bones in the decorative plants' pots. This cures his sneezes, but the green-haired Jasmine Spirit is offended and punishes him by growing multiple plants from his nose. When humans are upset by the garbage stink in the air, Haroun suffers the afternoon sun and removes the offending trash he planted. While he naps, Jasmine Spirit sees how loved the cat is by the community and is pleased by his penance, and removes the nasal vines. When he wakes, Haroun decides that jasmine isn't so bad after all and he seems to be immune—until the final page brings a large "Aachooo." The fluffy, fat cat with pop eyes is endearing, and Kaadan's droll cartoons are infused in rich colors and patterns. VERDICT An amiable tale set in Syria and suitable for one-on-one and small group sharing.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA