MARSH CAT

An illustrator with three Caldecott Honor books to his credit tries his hand at a novel with his favorite theme: the interrelationships of creatures living near his Maine farm. Cat, a heroic-size member of his species, was born in the wild. Now four, he's having a tough time catching enough food to get him through the winter when he chances to meet a barn cat; curious, he follows her home and discovers that kibbles, though boring, make life easier. Gradually the little girl Tracy becomes aware of Cat and gains his confidence. After he ventures forth and is caught in a trap, he crawls back to the barn to die; Tracy gets him to the vet, who saves his life. Still, when spring comes, Cat returns to the wild. Of most interest here are Parnall's careful observations and descriptions of both wild creatures and farm animals; though he occasionally skirts close to anthropomorphism, he almost always adheres to a credible depiction of the world from the animals' point of view. The passages concerning Tracy are a bit trite; there are stylistic lapses; and the plot is predictable—but for anyone with a deep interest in animal behavior, Cat's odyssey is rewardingly full of authentic detail. Several handsome drawings are included. (Fiction. 9-14)