HOMEBODY

The Peebles sneak away from their ramshackle house, leaving a pile of trash and abandoning their dog and cat. The dog is relieved to be adopted by the new owner, who is fixing up the house; puss makes herself invisible but stays nearby, knowing that ``Home was home. And that was that.'' A neighbor feeds her; learning of her presence, the man is careful to respect her dignity; when he eventually moves in, she adopts his family. The story is told in a fresh, lucid style that effectively dramatizes the familiar situation; Swanson's soft full-color art, reflecting the shadows and evening light in which the cat conceals herself, extends the quietly poignant tone. (Picture book. 4-8)