I WISH I WAS SICK, TOO!

Edward and Elizabeth's sequential illnesses allow for some wryer recognition than the Brandenbergs' doll-eyed pussycats usually inspire. First, Edward gets so much attention when he's sick that Elizabeth, predictably, resents having to go to school, do her usual homework and chores, etc. Then, just as predictably, she gets sick-but instead of Edward getting jealous, he visits her good-naturedly with news of his day and a pouting Elizabeth then calls him lucky for doing all the things she had earlier complained about doing herself. Human families with their own Edwards and Elizabeths will enjoy the characterization--though only reading-aloud parents will pick up on the titles of this intellectual cat family's reading matter.