CATS IN CONDUCTOR HATS

The cast of Cats in Construction Hats (2025) return in new roles.

Swapping out their hard hats for conductor caps, six felines (each a different color) ready their pale blue train for passengers, a mix of cats and mice. Pronouns this and that work as hard as the conductors (who double as engineers): “Check this.” “Inspect that.” “Take this.” “Punch that.” As the busy cats wield tools and monitor gauges, action verbs (flip, press, turn, twist) convey a flurry of constant activity, leading to the climax—a very noisy emergency stop that will have engaged listeners reciting the onomatopoeia at top volume: “SQUEAL!” “SCREECH!” “EEK!” As cat and mouse parents shield their offspring’s eyes, the locomotive stops mere feet from a shaggy yaklike beast who’s wandered onto the tracks. All six cats collaborate to “push,” “lead,” “shoo,” and “feed” the obstruction, until they maneuver it into an enclosure where the rest of the herd awaits. The conductors board again, and, “back on track,” the train makes its way to “Grand Central Fur-minal.” “That’s that!” The message of cooperation will be familiar from the earlier book, as will Bardhan-Quallen’s use of puns (“Gare de Lion,” “Purr-inceton Junction”) and Hernandez’s winsome bright primary colors and simple shapes; fans will eagerly climb aboard for this exciting trip.

Kitties and trains—could there be a better combination?