CLEVER CAT

Some cats are quicker on the uptake than others. Weary of waiting and waiting for every meal, Tibs at last teaches himself how to open a can of cat food. Thrilled to have one less chore, his busy human gives him a door key and a cash card, putting him in charge of buying the food as well. Though it doesn’t take Tibs long to discover the pleasures of eating out—not to mention shopping, movies, and card games—the job he is forced to take to pay the resulting bills leaves him both exhausted and barely able to afford even canned food. Better known for wordless books, Collington (Tooth Fairy, 1995, etc) adds a line or two of tongue-in-cheek commentary beneath each cleanly drawn, formally composed urban scene. Looking lumpish and uncomfortable on two legs, Tibs sees the light at last and drops again to four, sitting in graceful, blank, patient silence at door and dish until his owner grumpily resumes her role as provider. In the final picture, Tibs and the other neighborhood felines are seen sprawled out on a stoop, winking at each other. Clever, indeed. (Picture book. 6-8)