LOVE THAT KITTY!

Jarka’s frenetic cartoon family is back, this time coping with young Peter’s feverish adoption of all things feline. Dressed in a slinky black cat suit and a smile, Peter purrs, naps, pounces and generally creates havoc. Comic-strip style panels alternate with spot art and full-page pictures in bright colors and a flat perspective that add to the cartoony feel. Both text and pictures emphasize the ridiculousness of the situation, particularly on the page that shows Peter practicing “good hygiene” (potty humor is funny no matter what species you are—or pretend to be).  Peter’s perplexed parents put up with his shenanigans until he inexplicably decides to revert to his human ways. Their relief is short-lived, however, as Peter appears on the final page with green flippers and a face mask, uttering a resounding “Ribbit?” Fans of Peter’s first adventure, Love That Puppy! (2009), will likely enjoy this as well since the retro style, straightforward storytelling and broad humor are essentially the same. Others will look forward to seeing what else Jarka can do. Pleasant if predictable. (Picture book. 4-7)