The Kitten Book

Few children--or grownups, for that matter--can resist the allure of cuddly kittens and rambunctious puppies. In this lively twosome, photo-essayist Jessel focuses first on a Burmese cat and her offspring, then on a Labrador dog and her litter. Following an identical format in each book, she leads youngsters through the experiences of the mother animals' pregnancy and birth, to the kittens' and puppies' first months of life--featuring captivating shots of the little ones at play--and finally the process of finding homes for these new animals. A considerable amount of information about animal behavior and pet care is seamlessly woven into the steady, upbeat narratives. The caring, supportive tone of each book is reinforced with more than 70 well-composed and carefully placed color photographs. Essential resources for pet lovers, these volumes are especially notable for their keen respect for animals. Ages 4-up. (Mar.)