FARM-FRESH CATS

Farmer Ray and his wife Norma are ordinary people who love all the animals on their farm. Therefore, it’s a big surprise when Farmer Ray checks on his latest crop: Instead of cabbage heads, there are heads of green CATS! Weeks later, the cats have grown and mew to be picked. It’s a nice crop, but in a very short time, there are hundreds and hundreds of cats—EVERYWHERE, and the other farm animals threaten to leave. Norma solves the problem: Instead of selling vegetables at their roadside stand, she sells “Farm-Fresh Cats” to city folks (subtle jab). Similar in idea, but certainly no competition for Wanda Gag’s charming cats classic, this reinvented silly story has its own whimsy and lively fun emanating from Santoro’s background as an animated-film artist. The comical tale gives new meaning to “kitty litter” and “trying to herd cats.” (Picture book. 4-7)