DUSTRATS

When wild dreams threaten, it’s Sir Muffin Muffinsson to the rescue!

Fluffy white cat Sir Muffin always keeps a watch over white human baby Emma in her crib. One night seven Dustrats (one for each day Emma’s room has gone without tidying) pop out from beneath the skirt of her bed. Sir Muffin grabs his vacuum and chases after the Dustrats before they can make a mess of the whole house. “Monday’s Dustrat is gobbling up delicious cookies in the kitchen. / Crumbs everywhere!” Suddenly the room is overtaken by penguins and polar bears—Emma’s dreams are taking over. Tuesday’s Dustrat is napping in an enchanted forest in the living room. Wednesday’s is in a castle besieged by a dragon in the attic! Sir Muffin catches each Dustrat, but in the meantime, Emma’s dreams have gotten out of control. Can Sir Muffin save her? Not alone he can’t! Readers of Regordosa’s tale of steadfast pussycat Sir Muffin are likely to find that the occasional tinny-sounding, old-fashioned exclamations (“Lo!”; “Zounds!”) fall flat, unjustified by the story. The detailed and trippy illustrations are the real stars here, especially the adorable Dustrats, who clothe themselves in discarded socks. The seek-and-find game inherent in each themed double-page spread of dreamlike wackiness will entertain.

Though the story is on the bland side, the illustrations show that Regordosa has real promise.