CYNTHIA COPPERSMITH’S VIOLET COMES TO STAY

Three adorable kittens are born in a kitchen pantry. Their mother explains that their game playing is really training to kill mice, which is their job. Violet is the last kitten chosen, first by the plant nurseryman, then the bakery woman. But each time, Violet remembers Mom’s mousing rules too late: prowl quietly, plan your leap carefully and pounce boldly. Both times when she’s brought back, her mother tells her, “God has a plan for each of us.” In her third home, a bookstore with a nice lady named Alice, Violet finally catches a mouse but lets it escape. “Mice are nuisances,” comforts Alice, “but they’re God’s creatures, too. We’ll find other ways of keeping them out.” McCully’s style of quick-sketch lines and realistic scenes are charming and convey the affectionate tone of the text. The title will be puzzling for people unfamiliar with Jan Karon’s Mitford Years series: “Cynthia Coppersmith” is a main character in those novels, who writes and illustrates books about her cat, Violet. First of an intended series about Violet that will, no doubt, continue the pious messages. (Picture book. 4-7)