MR. PUSSKINS

Meet Mr. Pusskins: The orange tabby on the cover scowling underneath his name and title will make readers grin or even chuckle. “Emily adored Mr. Pusskins.” However, her fur-brushing, endearments and story readings bore his whiskers off. Mr. Pusskins wants more than this dull life—so he leaves. He does everything he isn’t supposed to, like making friends with the Pesky Cat Gang. Life without Emily is such naughty fun, until the rain falls, icy winds blow and his new friends are no longer nice. A feeble, frantic phone call from bedraggled, lonely Mr. Pusskins brings Emily to his rescue. Now, Mr. P. adores Emily! Large double spreads with bright colors, google eyes and ornery expressions caricature the raucous and righteous behavior. Never mind the deficiency of details about how a cat can dial a phone, this shaggy story of “cattitude” is amusing and unadulterated fun. (Picture book. 4-7)