Kitty Caterpillar

The title of this punny picture book doesn’t exaggerate: not only does its feline protagonist sport pink-tufted fur and antennae-like whiskers, she also possesses a number of purple feet that leans more caterpillar than cat. “Queen of her kittydom,” Kitty Caterpillar awakens pale-skinned child Hazel by enveloping the human’s head, and then serves as her companion throughout the morning. When “Hazel headed out to do whatever it is that people do when they leave the house,” note previous collaborators Bondor-Stone and White (Jaclyn Hyde), the staunchly inside cat is perfectly happy to nap—until a butterfly spotted through the window triggers her pursuit instinct. After attempting to don human shoes, the kitty slides through the mail slot and into an impromptu inaugural outdoor adventure filled with wonder and comic peril. Digitally enhanced cartoons by Barrager (Uni the Unicorn) explode with candy colors and big graphic shapes, evoking the animated Alice in Wonderland as the figure pursues her quarry to a predictably comforting ending. Adventurous, if gradually worse for the wear, Kitty Caterpillar is vividly living proof that cats don’t need nine lives—10 fabulous feet work just as well. Ages 3–6. Authors’ agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Productions. (Feb.)