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Cats and dogs can make an indelible mark on a child's life. They provide pleasure, play and in the best of circumstances, unconditional love and occasional refuge from the rest of the world. Stories featuring dogs and cats always have been favorites. Here are a crop of new ones, some of which are destined to become favorites. For ages 2-6 Why Do Kittens Purr? Written by Marion Dane Bauer; illustrated by Henry Cole (Simon & Schuster, hardcover, 30 pages, $15.95) This appealing book takes a look at animals from a child's-eye view as a young boy questions different types of animal behavior. The rhyming text provides the perfect answers to the queries, such as, "Why do kittens purr? Because they're happy, deep inside their fur." The illustrations, quirky and fun to look at, are done in acrylics and colored pencil. Dog Days Written and illustrated by Amanda Harvey (Doubleday, hardcover, 32 pages, $15.95) Otis the dog has a pretty good life with his family and a young girl named Lucy. But one day, Lucy brings home a kitten, and Otis begins to feel second-best as everyone fusses over the new feline. Otis decides to go off and find another family. He spots several candidates, and settles for one. But when evening falls, he wonders how Lucy is doing, and who she will read to if he's not there. He returns home to find her waiting with open arms. This lovely tale is helped along with fine watercolor illustrations. And children will love the floppy-eared Otis, the previous star of another book by Amanda Harvey, as the canine hero. If You See a Kitten Written and illustrated by John Butler (Peachtree Publishers, hardcover, 22 pages, $13.95) If you see a cute, cuddly kitten, say "ahh," instructs this appealing book for young children. The illustrations, detailed and adorable, set up a number of comparable responses. ("If you see a pig, say pee-yew!") The simple language is just right for preschoolers and younger kids, and the appealing animal pictures may help them learn more about our furry and feathered friends. For ages 4-8 Max Goes to the Moon Written by Jeffrey Bennett; illustrated by Alan Okamoto (Big Kid Science, hardcover, 32 pages, $16.95) Max, a Rottweiler dog, and his young master Tori are fascinated by the moon and undertake a quest to make the first trip there since the Apollo era. NASA finally agrees to the plan and sends Max, Tori and a crew of grownup astronauts to explore the moon. This fanciful tale, written by former NASA scientist and college textbook writer Jeffrey Bennett, is a nice vehicle for sparking kids' interest in science and encouraging them to follow their aspirations. The story text is accompanied by a "Big Kid Box" on each page that delves into some scientific discussion, such as the phases of the moon, gravity, and the potential for a moon colony. The pencil and acrylic illustrations have great detail and dimension. • Lisa in the Jungle • Gaspard and Lisa Friends Forever By Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben (Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover, 32 pages, $9.95) Parisian pooches Lisa and Gaspard are back again with a couple of new adventures. In the first one, Lisa tells friends back at school an embellished tale about how she spent her summer exploring the jungle, when she actually spent her time at the community pool. In the second book, Gaspard and Lisa remember how they did not get along at all when they first met at school, and what it took for them to become best friends. The husband-and-wife team of Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben have previously written 10 books on the pair of straight-eared dogs. The language is simple and straightforward, and the illustrations are vivid and impressionistic. The Cat Who Liked Potato Soup Written by Terry Farish; illustrated by Barry Root (Candlewick Press, hardcover, 30 pages, $15.99) A curmudgeonly old man and his uppity cat are longtime companions. The cat would rather eat the old man's potato soup than catch mice, but that's OK with him. The cat likes to hog the electric blanket, but that's OK, too. Only thing is, the man would like the cat to go fishing with him, but it refuses. So he goes off on his own, only to find when he gets back that the cat has left in a huff. What will he do without his friend? This is a lovely story, delicately illustrated in gouache and watercolor, about the value of companionship between people and animals. The easygoing text takes its time telling the tale, leaving lots of room for nicely descriptive passages. For ages 7-10 Titus Rules! Written by Dick King-Smith; illustrated by John Eastwood (Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover, 128 pages, $15.95) Who is more important in England than Queen Elizabeth? Her beloved corgis, of course, and Titus soon becomes the palace favorite with his independence and winning ways. He even saves the queen's jewelry from a palace thief. But it's when he saves the palace from a fire that everyone comes to appreciate the exceptional Titus. Written by England's Dick King-Smith, the author of "Babe the Gallant Pig," this is a perfect book for an independent reader who is ready for a humorous book with engaging characters. For ages 9-12 The Last Dog on Earth Written by Daniel Ehrenhaft (Delacorte Press Books, hardcover, 240 pages, $15.95) When Logan Moore's stepfather decides the only way for him to learn responsibility is to get a dog, Logan deliberately chooses the mangiest, ugliest mutt in the pound. To his own surprise, Logan grows to love the dog he has named Jack. But they soon face a dangerous situation as an unidentified animal illness begins to work its way through the rural community. People are shooting dogs on sight and asking questions later. Logan and Jack go on the run, trying to find the one person - an animal-disease expert - who can help them. This is an exciting thriller for older elementary-school readers that has valuable lessons about fortitude and love. |
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