Tim and Jim

This charming tale of mistaken identities is skillfully executed. Tim is a beautiful orange-and-white cat who lives with mild-mannered Miss Periwinkle. He has everything he could possibly want, except . . . a friend. Jim, meanwhile, is a tabby who is sick and tired of being an alley cat. One day, Tim runs away from home, breaking Miss Periwinkle's glasses as he goes. Jim, meanwhile, shows up at Miss Periwinkle's, and she (unable to see clearly) believes that Jim is Tim. The resulting confusion and inevitable happy ending are richly satisfying. The colorful line-and-wash illustrations match Schumacher's simple tale, with its good humor and intriguing theme for young readers. Ages 4-8. (October)