CAT NAP

Will Cat finally succumb to sleep?

A fluffy striped orange tabby kitten, its eyes at half-mast, clutches a tiny blue teddy and a soft blanket whose fish print is matched by the book’s endpapers. Other essentials—including a sippy cup with milk—are at hand, but Cat has so many enticing soft toys. Wouldn’t a pretend picnic be a great idea, complete with milk? “Not playtime, Cat,” scolds the unseen narrator. “Nap time!” Cat decides the picnic blanket would make a great cape and perches, paw outstretched, on the upended toy box. “No! Not Super Cat. Nap, Cat!” shouts the narrator. “Oh dear.” That box wasn’t properly balanced: “Splat!” “Poor Cat.” Later, the narrator asks, “Cuddle, Cat?” The kitten beds down in a cozy old-fashioned white-painted wood cot on rockers, with a cut-out heart; it’s big enough for all the stuffies, blanket, and Cat. Checklist: “Toothbrush, Cat.” “Pillow, Cat.” “Night light, Cat.” Tucked in, Cat's eyes are wide: What has been forgotten now? Oh, it’s bow tie–sporting teddy, who’s fallen on the floor, and with a kiss and another cuddle, Cat is ready for “sweet dreams.” Cat stands upright, making a solid rectangle of cloudlike kitten fur, but the expressive ears, eyes, and mouth are all feline. Bright colors make essential details (like the rug and mobile) pop, and the handling is sure. Cat is irresistible.

An adorable evocation of the minor struggles and major charms of toddler nap time.