THE CAT SAT ON THE MAT

Another charming peephole book from illustrator Jones (Hickory Dickory Dock, 1992, etc.). Using one simple sentence fragment -- ""The cat sat on the..."" -- this book follows a persistent cat around the house as he tries to get comfortable on everything from the groceries to a piano. The illustrations are tied together by a series of peepholes -- as well as by the recurrent appearance of a tiny mouse. And, every few pages, a roundup of little images shows all the places the cat has tried -- and failed -- to sit. Newcomer Cameron's text is spare and serves to teach a variety of new words, which appear in large red letters above the peephole drawings. There is lots to look at and learn here. Wonderfully creative.