THE GREAT ADVENTURE OF WO TI

All is peaceful in the garden of Peking's Summer Palace; hunger is locked on the other side of the high walls until Kitti Ho, chased by a gang of boys and dogs, takes refuge inside. At first the cat contents himself with birds and the ""foolish little goldfish,"" so numerous that no one notices their loss. Growing bolder, he stalks even the mighty carp in the Emperor's pond. But the greatest carp, Wo Ti, who has been pining for he knows not what, makes a plan: posing as rocks, the carp will lure Kitti Ho to the middle of the pond. The plan works: the cat's floundering summons gardeners who summarily throw him out, leaving Wo Ti contented at last: he has had a real adventure. Zimelman tells his story with a leisurely grace that begs for sharing aloud; Downing's watercolors are colorful and pleasingly designed, with the cat--like many a fine villain--easily stealing the show.