LYSBET AND THE FIRE KITTENS

Even though Lysbet is responsible for minding the family's New Amsterdam cottage in her parents' absence, she can't resist sneaking off for a few hours to celebrate 1662's First Skating Day. Lysbet returns to find the house's thatched roof on fire and just manages to summon the fire brigade in time before saving her cat Stuyver and five newborn kittens from the smoke filled attic. Pa's on the spot forgiveness and the importance Lysbet and everyone else places on the kittens at a moment of near tragedy seem a bit unnatural. But the small scale excitement is heightened by the neat details of colonial housekeeping and the drama of fighting fire with a brigade of leather buckets, and Tomes' pictures of tiny, stoic-faced Lysbet and regal, well fed tabby Stuyver assure that Stuyver and her brood will hold their place at the center of attention.