The tale of the clever con artist who just happens to be a feline is retold with flair and a knowing wink. Puss devises a plot to empower and enrich his young master that concludes with a happy ending for all, with the possible exception of the ogre. The young master who becomes Lord Fortunato is as much a pawn in Puss’s game as any of the others, but he is a willing one. There is no whitewash here: Puss remains the hero in spite of the fact that just about everything he says and does involves deceptions and tricks. Phooey on morals; children have loved this tale of trickery for centuries. Cech employs a mixture of traditional and modern syntax and sensibilities that keeps the action lively and light. Oberdieck’s colorful and detailed illustrations perfectly complement the text’s style. The settings, costumes and accoutrements evoke a general medieval atmosphere, while the characters’ facial expressions often seem knowing and modern. Delicious, naughty fun. (Picture book/folktale. 4-9)
