cover image Mog and Bunny

Mog and Bunny

Judith Kerr. Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $8.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-394-82249-5

Any child who drags around a scruffy toy or blanket will identify with Mog, the Thomas family's cat, and his stuffed toy, Bunny. At night, Mog sleeps with Bunny. During the day, ``you never knew where Bunny would go next''in Mr. Thomas's slippers, or in Mog's water dish, or on a chair at suppertime. Kerr's text and pictures keep the action building as Bunny annoyingly turns up in the oddest places; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas finally threaten to throw Bunny in the trash. When a family picnic ends in a thunderstorm, Mog remains outside. At bedtime, the childrenNicky and Debbietry to coax Mog inside, and discover the reason he has endured the dark and the rain: Bunny is trapped under a barbecue fork and Mog can't carry it away. Nicky and Debbie rescue their cat and his toy, and even Mrs. Thomas agrees that Mog would be ``too sad'' if they ever threw Bunny away. All told, this story offers an inventive plot, sweet and funny art and a tactful point about treasures. Ages 3-6. (Jan.)