KINDERGARTEN CAT

An unusual new student enlivens a kindergarten classroom. When Mr. Bigbuttons, the custodian, finds a little stray cat in the playground, he brings her inside to find a new home. The kids greet Tinker Toy with enthusiasm (no killjoy allergies here), and she quickly joins in the classroom activities, meowing with uncanny accuracy as the teacher asks her questions: “ ‘Foot fits in a shoe, / Hat sits on a head. / What else goes together?’ / ‘ME-YOU,’ Tinker said.” Lewis’s verse is sweetly complemented by Busby’s mixed-media illustrations. Her fat, scruffy orange tiger cat brims with personality, her cartoony roundness matching that of the children neatly. Broad paint strokes accented with swift pencil scribbles lend energy throughout. The backside view of kids and cat lined up on the story rug is particularly affecting—would that all kindergartens could have a Tinker Toy. (Picture book. 3-7)