THE TAPESTRY CATS

The princess has no playmates; worse, her mother answers every question for her. Still, she amuses herself with the castle's faded tapestries, which depict wonderful animals— especially a golden tabby she calls Gold (``a lazy, friendly cat, as warm as honey and as heavy as sleep'') and another she names Silver (``as secret as moonlight and as quick as thought''). When her Fairy Godmother offers a wish for her seventh birthday, the Queen replies, ``Gold and silver. That's what she wants.'' ``Yes!'' cries the delighted princess and—with a conspiratorial wink—the Godmother complies. The two cats come to life; the princess eventually learns to ``speak up for herself.'' Morley's stylized, decorative art has an appropriately flat, tapestry-like appearance enlivened with calligraphic details such as the princess's flying hair. A couple of gutters are unfortunately placed; otherwise, an attractive setting for an unusually amiable tale, told with a pleasing poetic lilt. (Picture book. 4-8)