WHOOPS!

Whoever heard of a cat that can’t meow?

Three animals unable to make the appropriate noises—the cat can’t meow, the dog can’t bark, and the mouse can’t squeak—are determined to remedy their unfortunate situations. But what can they do, and to whom should they turn? A wise (or perhaps not-so-wise) owl suggests they ask the old lady in the tumbledown house if she knows of a spell to solve the problem. Stylized and very appealing mixed-media illustrations portray the trio as they approach the old lady, a purple- and blue- and orange- and pink-haired (by turn) eccentric, who is perfectly happy to try to find a solution. But whoops! Things do not go according to plan, and as spells are cast and the tumbledown house whisks around, comic results follow. Judicious repetition of relevant words will help young readers join in and follow along, and youngsters already familiar with animals and their sounds will enjoy identifying each mishap. Is a happy ending possible? A funny one is guaranteed! Though the rhymes are sometimes bumpy and lose their flow, the text is clear and entertaining, and the changing palette and quirky tableaux full of action are a thorough delight.

Full of fun and sure to evoke giggles, meows, bowwows, and squeaks.