THAT STRIPY CAT

Though she doesn’t own a pet Mrs. Cosy works in the Hummingbird Animal Shelter. When she arrives at work one day, someone has left a striped grey cat on the steps of the shelter. She and her coworkers add him to the menagerie inside, and the spunky little cat causes trouble throughout the day. As a result, no one wants to adopt him. At day’s end, he’s the only pet left. Mrs. Cosy’s coworkers have suggestions: There’s room in Judy’s barn and George knows the dump needs a ratter. However, that stripy cat won’t let go of Mrs. Cosy’s leg, so she takes him home and shares her small house with him. Just before bed, she gives him a fitting name: Velcro. The cat’s tale can be a bit confusing: Judy and George appear without any explanation, and the shelter seems to be in someone’s living room. The illustrations, though colorful, are a bit flat, making this Canadian import an additional purchase at best. (Picture book. 3-6)