THE DOG WHO HAD KITTENS
by Polly M. Robertus & illustrated by Janet Stevens
How Baxter, a basset hound, becomes self-appointed babysitter to a litter of kittens whose mother, Eloise, he considers irresponsible. The two have some pungent disagreements about kitten-tending; but once the kittens have been given away, they sensibly decide to snuggle up together. Told with an amusing lack of sentimentality: in Steven's lively illustrations, Baxter is appealingly lugubrious, Eloise a unique blend of practical and scruffy. Good fun. (Picture book. 4-8)