The cats and the cake

When a dreamy-looking cake--slathered in pink frosting and decorated with blue rosettes--falls off a bakery pastry cart, two cats spring into action. "This is mine," says an orange and white cat; "No. This is mine," counters a black and white feline. The gainsaying continues until a red fox appears, enters the establishment, and intervenes: "You need to share," Fox proclaims, sounding very reasonable. Seemingly helpful, Fox first breaks the cake into two portions, then nibbles on each to equal them out: "This is too big. I will fix it." But after admitting "I can't stop. You will fight," Fox turns full attention on the cake remnants--even spinning the remaining bites on a single finger--before demanding the now downhearted felines' gratitude ("This is mine! I helped you. You must thank me"). Henry's (Snow Is Fun) ink, watercolor, and acrylic paint cartoons have scoopfuls of comic pep and are as bright as a freshly iced confection. Hamilton and Weiss's (the Noodleheads series) dialogue balloons offer the repetition nascent readers need, along with humor that should elicit knowing chuckles. Ages 4--8. (Jan.)

K-Gr 2--Two little cats are playing in a bakery when a beautifully decorated cake falls off of a cart and onto the bakery floor. Immediately, each cat claims ownership of the cake by simultaneously declaring "This is mine." A fox walks by the shop window and decides to intervene in the dispute. He tells the selfish felines that they need to share, and then proceeds to eat some of the cake. He goes on to explain that the cake is too big, so he must eat piece after piece so it is easier to split between the two cats. The cats beg him to stop. By the time the cake gets down to the last tiny piece, the fox insists that he must eat that, too, or the cats will go back to fighting. Dejected, the pair of cats lie down with glum faces; but hope is restored when the baker emerges from the kitchen with an even bigger and more beautiful cake. This title is part of the "I Like to Read" series and is geared for children in early first grade. Told solely through dialogue with lots of repetition, Hamilton and Weiss (Noodleheads) bring a simple but outrageous tale alive. Artwork by Henry (Snow Is Fun) is done in ink, watercolor, and acrylic paint. Young readers will find it hard to resist Henry's renditions of colorful cupcakes, pies, and cakes in bright and colorful hues. VERDICT A suitable addition for beginning reader sections.--Amy Nolan