Carlo, the marmalade tabby cat, is tired of living in Mark’s overly messy room and strikes out on his own. At first, it’s nice to be free, but soon he decides he needs a warm place to sleep. The first bright window lands him in a clean bathroom, where he’s discovered the next morning by Lisa and her Aunt Rose. Carlo suddenly has treats, a comfy bed and plenty of space, but he misses Mark. Meanwhile, Mark is missing Carlo, and he decides to clean his room. When Carlo returns to Mark’s, Lisa follows and the three have a ball making a mess, which they know they’ll clean up together. Junge’s bright, cartoon illustrations are expressive and full of details that amplify the text (note the little boots and sweater that Carlo wears at Aunt Rose’s). While the story is a bit forced, the illustrations add what’s needed to lighten the feeling of it being a lesson in tidiness—and Carlo does have a winning smile. (Picture book. 3-6)
