MY CAT COPIES ME

An ebulliently illustrated South Korean import explores how a child and a beloved pet interact and enjoy activities together. Beautifully colored and textured in traditional Korean style and bursting with vitality, expressiveness and movement, this sweet but thin story captures the fun, solace and encouragement one lonely little girl derives from her adorable, spunky feline best friend. But who’s copying whom? In the end, the girl draws courage from the cat’s insouciance and feels enough confidence to explore the world outside herself and initiate friendships with neighborhood kids. Too bad the ending falls flat and the girl’s turnabout isn’t made altogether clear. Still, the art is a solid draw, and cat lovers especially will appreciate how well the loving bond between child and pet is portrayed. (Picture book. 3-6)