Large type and scratchy watercolor-and-ink illustrations enliven this story of how Ginger (2000) first arrived on the scene. The premise isn’t new, but Ginger the cat’s scruffy skittishness is endearing, and spot illustrations bring the poor homeless stray’s plight into focus. One day, a dish of cat food appears, Ginger’s ears perk up, and he stretches his body toward the dish just the way cats do when they’re curious about something. Of course, the dish has been left there by a little girl, who comes day after day and eventually succeeds in befriending Ginger. He’s too nervous to stay inside and the little girl’s shoulders slump, but readers will suspect a happy ending. The image of the little girl jumping for joy as Ginger tentatively comes back inside is outdone in cheer only by the picture of the former stray sunbathing in the patch of weeds where he used to live. (Picture book. 3-6)
