Nobody's Cat

A feral cat with kittens to see through the coming winter brings them, one by one, to a family who puts out cream for her and finds them homes. Finally she presents herself to the seemingly learning-disabled boy of the house, sensing him to be someone she can love and trust. Joosse tells her affecting story--based on actual events--simply and for the most part unsentimentally, convincingly rendering the experience from a cat's viewpoint. She captures the elusive but genuine instinct--almost recognition--that can draw particular animals and people together. Regrettably, Sewall's illustrations add little warmth of their own, due to a drab palette heavy on tans and grays, and to figures too rough or oddly proportioned to have strong appeal. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)