FLABBY TABBY

Anyone who has ever known or owned an overweight cat will grin at this oh-so-true tale. “Tabby’s life was an endless round of activity, from her basket to her bowl, and from her bowl to her basket . . . where she fell sleep.” Then she gets stuck in the pet door—where she falls asleep. Off to the vet who prescribes a drastic remedy—a kitten. The furry bundle of energy climbs the curtains, leaps on the sofa and eats Tabby’s food, but worst of all, it gets all of owner Polly’s attention. That does it! Tabby starts her “Secret Feline Fitness Plan”—which does the trick, making room for one cat plus one kitten in the basket. The spontaneous, sketchy style and collage details match the cat’s droll point of view, while the facial features of Tabby and humans, formed with just a few spare lines, record their expressions and reactions. Comically charming, Fit Kit and Flabby Tabby are a hit. (Picture book. 4-7)