Few creatures can flaunt disdain like a contrary cat, and this rhyming tale of a test of wills between Witch and her pet proves it. Witch is dressing for a bash: “ ‘Cat,’ said Witch, ‘fetch me a hat!’ But Cat was busy, chasing Rat.” For each of Witch’s requests—chair, hat, fife, cloak, broom and toad—Cat is busy pursuing Bat, Ghost, Troll, Spook and Gnomes. “DRAT THAT CAT!” As the tale and tail become more tangled, comeuppance for Cat is within paw’s reach, ending in a surprise transformation. The real cat’s meow here is the exaggerated black-and-white, pen-and-ink illustrations that portray every wart, gremlin and eerie monstrosity with delicious delight. Reminiscent of Boris and Natasha cartoons, the melodramatic mockery is made for multiple readings with chants for joining in. No pussyfooting around, this is an out-and-out outlandish, original opus of pure fun and witchery that will have kids spellbound. (Picture book. 4-8)
