When the owner of Pete’s Diner finds an orange, tiger-striped and scrawny cat in his garbage can, he names him Salami, after the cat’s favorite food. Skinny Sammy Salami quickly becomes chubby, but Pete, worn out from doing all the diner chores without any help, longs for a vacation and packs up for a weekend in the mountains. When he doesn’t return right away, Sammy pussyfoots his way onto the daily commuter train, thinking Pete is inside cooking, where a woman “rescues” him and names him Choo-choo. By chance, Lolly checks in to the resort where Pete is staying. Missed connections abound (Pete appears in the backgrounds), but coincidence continues as Pete and Lolly meet on the train home and Sammy/Choo-choo becomes the conduit that stirs up a happy ending for all—at Lolly & Pete’s Diner. Busily detailed and cartoonish illustrations play up the humor and silliness: Sammy sports a blue cap, leash and sunglasses; Pete wears the same sunglasses, a small derby and mustache fringe. A fun scrambled story—no baloney. (Picture book. 4-8)
